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Parental Controls

Computer Parental Control: $80 for setup, doesn’t include software.

Kids these days are smart, and sometimes too savvy for their own good. You want to feel comfortable allowing them to use the computer, but still want them to be safe. We can show you how to keep an eye on them without having to hover 24/7.

We recommend the following programs:

CyberPatrol

  • Flexible configuration options
  • Customizable for multiple users
  • Can block access to hard drive, as well as Internet
  • Can be installed on up to three computers

  • Requires annual subscription

Reviewers say the big advantage of CyberPatrol 7.6 parental control software is its versatility. This software program covers 13 categories of questionable content, allowing parents to choose which categories to block. Parents can block entire websites or just objectionable content within web pages, and they can even choose which words to block. This Windows-only program also allows you to restrict access to programs on the computer’s hard drive, such as games or finance software. (The latest version of CyberPatrol protects up to three PCs with one license.) Reviews say the major drawback is cost of use, because the program requires annual subscriptions. If you’re looking for a multiple-computer solution that comes in a Mac version, and don’t need a wide array of customization options, reviewers recommend Safe Eyes 5.0 (*est. $50 per year).

Safe Eyes

  • Can be installed on up to three computers
  • Remote changes become effective immediately
  • Available for Mac users

  • Not the most versatile
  • Does not analyze data in real time

A few expert sources say Safe Eyes 5.0 parental control software is the best program of its kind, and it is also one of the few programs available for Mac users. The main advantage of Safe Eyes over the similarly well-rated CyberPatrol 7.6 (*est. $40 per year) is that this program can be controlled from a remote location, and remote changes become effective immediately — which is helpful if you’re at work and your child needs access to a blocked site or some extra time online. It’s also a good choice if you need to block content on more than one computer (the license allows you to install it on up to three computers at the same time.) You can also create up to 10 user profiles.

Bsecure

  • Easy to use
  • Customizable Features for Each Member of the Family
  • Bsecure Products Support Microsoft Windows® 7, Vista and XP, and the Apple iPhone

  • Not the most versatile
  • Can block sites that you want to visit and you might have to input your password a lot

Like the higher-ranked SafeEyes, B Secure relies on its servers to block objectionable material before it is ever delivered to your pc. This material can be defined differently for each user profile that you set up.

Configuration of B Secure is a simple process. First, you set up a profile for each user in your household that will access the internet. Next, you decide which “categories” of material you want to allow for each user profile. B Secure groups objectionable material into 32 different “categories”. Examples of these categories include Gambling, Pornography, Personals/dating, and Web-based email. For each profile, you block or allow entire categories of material. This makes configuration of each profile a very simple and timesaving process. And in other timesaving move, B Secure assumes the responsibility of categorizing new websites into one of these categories for you. Of course, you also have the ability to allow or block individual websites for each user profile. And, you can define the time periods for each day that each user can access the internet.

One of the most thoughtful features we liked was their online help system. B Secure provides a very thorough seven-page, 136 Q & A support section for customers looking for help. In addition to this they offer a free telephone help line that is open 7am to 11pm Monday thru Sunday. They are one of the few companies in this industry to offer free phone support, especially with such long hours.

For reporting, B Secure boasts a “tamper proof reporting option” which is a nice feature. Three reports per week can be generated and emailed to whomever to show which websites have been visited that week by that computer. They also provide instant email notification if someone tries to access blocked material on your pc. If your pager supports text messaging via an email address, you can send these alerts to your pager for notification wherever you are.

With secure server-based internet filtering, and an easy to use interface, B Secure receives some of the highest marks in our review.

Keep Your Kids Safe