Net Nanny Parental Controls Reviewer's Comments
|
You may also be interested in these review sites...
|
New, improved and ready to watch over your children’s interaction with the Internet—Net Nanny 5.6 (formerly ContentProtect), powered by ContentWatch, receives the "TopTenREVIEWS Gold Award" for Internet filter software. This web-filtering program combines cutting-edge technology with non-technical settings and reports—perfect for informed, proactive parents who may not be computer or Internet savvy.
Net Nanny 5 emerged when ContentWatch, the industry leader in web filter technology and 4 year TopTenREVIEWS Gold award winner, acquired Net Nanny. ContentWatch pooled Dynamic Contextual Analysis, remote administration, an innovative, user-friendly interface and a trusted name into the best filtering product available on the market today.
If you’re a former Net Nanny user, you will notice a few features that aren’t included in the new 5.6 version. These features include email filtering and the ability to create a customized blocked list of applications.
In August 2004, the Walt Disney company chose ContentProtect as the Internet Filter to be used on the new Disney Dream Desk PC. Net Nanny has also received high ratings from PC Magazine.
If you are looking for ContentProtect Professional for businesses or ContentProtect Professional Appliance for Enterprise corporations, read our review here.
Net Nanny Parental Controls Screenshots. Click to Enlarge
Feature Set:
Standout features in the new Net Nanny include the remote management and remote reporting functions. ContentWatch was the only product to offer these convenient features and now they are available under the Net Nanny brand. The remote function allows you, as the administrator, to be anywhere in the world with a computer and Internet connection and access activity logs and make configuration changes. You can stay current on the Internet use in your home while at work or on vacation.
Net Nanny uses Dynamic Contextual Analysis to filter web content. In other words, CNN.com might be blocked in the morning because of a very violent news story. However, an hour later, when the website content changes, the site will again be allowed. This software also has the option of a “warning” function as opposed to a “blocking” function. The user receives a warning of objectionable material, but then is permitted to proceed without interruption or restriction.
Net Nanny can instantly notify parents via email if children attempt to access objectionable material. Another practical feature is the ability to override blocked websites quickly with a password.
Ease of Use:
This product is designed with people who are “technologically challenged” in mind. In the Administration Tools interface are well-labeled categories under two headings—User Settings and Family Settings. The Categories include Profile Settings, Time Controls, Reports and Email Notifications. The remote access interface is similar and just as easy to use.
Ease of Installation:
The download and installation were quick and easy. If you need to install the product on multiple computers, the software allows you to carry over customized settings to each of your computers. Thus saving time and producing consistency.
Filtering Effectiveness:
We tested the software for overblocking (websites that should not have been blocked) and underblocking (websites that should have been blocked, but were not). Net Nanny passed our tests successfully but not perfectly. Overblocking occurred from time to time, but with the immediate override function, it wasn’t a big inconvenience. Very few instances of underblocking occurred, even with foreign language websites. We were pleasantly surprised because most Internet filtering programs have problems detecting pornography on foreign language websites.
Summary:
ContentWatch combined a well-known reliable name, Net Nanny, with the cutting edge technology of ContentProtect to create the ultimate Internet safety software. Simply put—the Internet can be dangerous and contains unacceptable content. Children can be protected with filtering software and this is the best.
If you are looking for ContentProtect Professional for businesses or ContentProtect Professional Appliance for Enterprise corporations, read our review here.
©2008 TopTenREVIEWS, Inc.
