Child Safe

ChildSafe 2007 Box

Our Rating

 Scored:

  7.5

out of 10
Pros: Not just Internet but computer and program restrictions (i.e. restrict the amount of time your children play games). Can prevent access to computer system tools (improves tamper resistance). Provides remote administration, only across your home network. Integrates with your Windows User accounts and allows for individual user customization.

Cons:
Overwhelming user interface. Difficult password recovery. Email notifications require SMTP server (doesn't work for basic yahoo and hotmail accounts). Reporting is text-based making it difficult to gather useful information.

User Rating

 Scored:

   6

out of 10

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Price
$39.95 (subscription)
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Trials & Specials
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  • Company website
    www.webroot.com
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    Child Safe Full Review


    Summary
    From computer time restrictions to temporary override passwords, Child Safe provides several features that offer another level of customization. With these new features it also made Child Safe difficult to manage and a little overwhelming. The user interface can be confusing at times and is cluttered with descriptions and tool tips.

    Child Safe blocked only 65% of the objectionable websites tested and Over-blocked on only 15% of the “safe” websites tested.
    The reporting/monitoring tools are all text-based which make it difficult to gather useful information about your families’ Internet activity.


    Installation/Setup
    Child Safe Installation ScreenshotWebroot’s Child Safe was very easy to download and install. With a footprint of 8.28MB it took only a few minutes to download on a Broadband connection (May take 10-20 minutes on dial-up). You are given two choices: Install Child Safe Remote Access Client – Used to remotely manage Child Safe on any networked computers; and Install Child Safe – recommended for all other computers in the house.


    Child Safe Setup ScreenshotYou are then prompted to create a password for this account with the default username of ‘cscontrol’. Remember to write down the username and password, as recovery can be very difficult. You will be asked to add Child Safe to you firewall settings. This allows Child Safe to communicate to the web filter servers. This can be cumbersome and it is recommended that you contact your firewall vendor for details. You are finally prompted to restart your computer to complete installation.


    Management
    Child Safe Management ScreenshotChild Safe provides administrators with a management consol, which can be accessed from your Start Menu. Child Safe automatically creates users based on your Microsoft Windows user names. Each user can be categorized as a Child, Teenager, Young Adult, Adult, Administrator or Custom.

    Child Safe Reporting screen shots
    From here administrators can set restrictions based on: Category, Computer, Internet, Programs, Passwords, Web Filtering, Reporting and other Advanced options. Time Restrictions can be based on Computer time allowances or Internet time allowances. They can also be set to restrict by time-of-day.



    Accuracy
    Child Safe user profilesAdministrators are given the choice to filter on two types of categories: Mature and General. Mature contains 4 main categories including: Adult, Illegal/Criminal, Vice, and Non-mainstream. General contains 7 main categories from computers and Internet to Shopping. There are a total of 59 sub-categories between the Mature and General categories.
    .

    We tested 2 lists of websites including: adult image searches, MySpace.com accounts, Hate oriented websites, websites that promote hacking, drug use, gambling, adult humor, etc…

    Blocked Correctly - 65% (websites blocked that are inappropriate for kids and teens)
    Over-blocked - 15% (websites blocked that are safe for kids and teens)

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    Child Safe Features

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    Filtering /Architecture
    Black/White List  
    Keyword Analysis  
    Dynamic Content Analysis  
    Safe image search  
    Filtering Settings
    Adjust Filter Settings  
    Customize Block Page  
    Chat Monitoring  
    Chat Blocking  
    Newsgroup Blocking  
    Newsgroup Filtering  
    Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Blocking  
    Games Blocking  
    Disable Feature  
    Email Filtering  
    Reporting Capabilities
    View Reports remotely  
    Client Based Reporting  
    Email Alert of Violation  
    Graphical Reports  
    Detailed Chat Reports  
    Maintain Past Reports  
    Report Security Violations  
    Management Capabilities
    Individual User Profiles  
    Password Controls  
    Remote Management  
    Windows User Integration  
    Stealth Options  
    Other Features
    Immediate Overriding of Blocks  
    Warning, Not Just Blocking  
    Time Restrictions  
    Time allowance day/week  
    Updated URL/Filtering Rules  
    Free Product Updates  
    Help/Support Options
    Online Help  
    Product Documentation  
    Free Technical Support  
    Supported Browsers
    Internet Explorer  
    Netscape  
    FireFox  
    Opera  
    AOL  
    Platforms Supported/Required
    Windows 98  
    Windows 2000  
    Windows XP  
    Vista  
    Macintosh