TopTenREVIEWS Silver Award winning Safe Eyes is an outstanding Mac internet filter software program. The application lets you choose different sets of regulations for each computer you are monitoring. The program will alert you via email, text or phone call when a blocked site was attempted to be accessed. This application is one of the easiest to set up and use, but it does not have screen capture options like Net Nanny.
Safe Eyes has a variety of internet filtering options. There is a navigational option along the side of the interface that controls the filtering options. It is labeled “Web Blocking.” In this option there are categories that can be filtered. Any possible objectionable source is included in this section including chat, gambling, games, entertainment and much more. However, you can also select websites to block. Simply enter the address and any sites affiliated with the URL will be blocked.
One of the categories to block sites is social network websites. From Twitter to Facebook, any website utilizing the social media platform can be filtered out from use. If a user tries to access the site, an alert will be sent to notify the manager of the software and the user will be blocked from the website. One of the features that was lacking from this program was monitoring the social media networks. With Safe Eyes, either the websites are blocked, or they are 100 percent open for use. We would have loved to see some monitoring of the websites including chat records or email regulations.
This application can filter out instant messaging (IM) programs. You can choose the specific platform you wish to filter out, like Yahoo Messenger or AIM. This can be especially helpful if you are worried about predators chatting with your children.
Safe Eyes works for more than just internet filtering, you can also use it to block other applications stored on your desktop. From the main window you can browse through your desktop and block any application you like.
When setting up the Mac internet filter software you create different accounts for each user. If you are using this for your home monitoring, this can be especially helpful if you have children of different ages. The interface opens with a window where you can select which user you would like to monitor or change the regulations. This window is simple and you will only need a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the software before you can be ready to start filtering web content. You can create a password to change the regulations or allow a website mid-browsing session, should it become necessary.
You can also use the application to schedule browsing sessions for the different users. This feature can stop children from wasting too much time online, or from staying up too late surfing the web.
If you are familiar with the Safe Eyes program for Windows, you will notice some changes in the Mac version. Safe Eyes for Mac is much less powerful and lacks some key features. For example, the Windows version will filter YouTube videos by content. The Mac version simply blocks all YouTube videos. The Windows application can log both sides of IM programs where the Mac version simply blocks all IM platforms.
Safe Eyes keeps track of every website visited and organizes them in blocked sites and non-blocked sites. After receiving an alert of an inappropriate website, you can use this tool to see the URL of the site that is blocked. You can even follow the links and see the websites that the user is viewing. Use this tool to view all the activity on the computer.
The application is lacking any screenshot viewing options. Other similar programs have screenshots to view immediately all web activity. We did not miss this feature too much because Safe Eyes has such detailed, easy-to-access records of every website visited. You can simply click on the link and see what was being viewed on the computer.
Safe Eyes was the one of the best Mac internet filter software we reviewed when it comes to reporting. It was the only application with the option to receive alerts by email, text or a phone call. When a user attempts to access a blocked website, you will receive a message that tells you who tried to access the site, when it was done and the URL of the site. If you choose to receive these alerts by email, the clickable link will be included in the body of the email.
You can access the computer usage reports at any time by logging into your account. You can see the entire history this way, or you can set up an email report that details all computer usage details. There are no features to search the history by keyword. You have to browse through the history by time and date. The history is stored chronologically. Also, there are no options to view any screenshots of the computer. Safe Eyes reports only in text formats including all links to websites visited.
The Safe Eyes Mac internet filter software has excellent customer service options. When we had a question about the service we called the telephone support line. After a very short wait on hold, we were connected to a helpful and friendly customer service representative. We also sent an email asking several in-depth questions that was answered almost immediately.
After registering for the service we were contacted by two different customer service representatives telling us to contact them at any time with any possible questions that might arise. Throughout our use of the Safe Eyes product, we felt comfortable contacting the support and we always had a very positive experience.
Safe Eyes is user-friendly and comprehensive. Whether you are trying to keep employees on task or protecting your children from the dangerous aspects of the internet, this Mac internet filter software will get the job done.
