| Product | Main Features | Advantages | Shortfalls | Approx. Cost |
| Disk Tracy http://www.disktracy.com/ | Disk Tracy allows you to monitor your children’s computer files effectively. Disk Tracy also allows you to track downloads from the Internet, news groups and electronic bulletin boards. | You can automatically conduct a thorough
search for files which are: Sexually explicit, Drugs/substance abuse-related, Potentially harmful, Possibly illegal, Hacking-related, Hidden text and graphics files and more. |
None that we know of. | US$29.95 |
| Net Nanny http://www.netnanny.com | Net Nanny allows you to block out a list of words that you do not want displayed on your screen. | Most flexible blocking product. Will work with DOS, Windows 3.X and Windows 95. This list of words can be edited. |
Requires user customization. Will not block out images or Web pages that have picture files only. You have to define the words that you want Net Nanny to block out. |
US$49 |
| SurfWatch http://www.surfwatch.com/ | Includes a large list of words that the application will block out. Also includes an extensive list of sexually explicit Web sites that will be blocked. This list can be updated automatically every month from the SurfWatch Web site. | Words are already defined. The software can be turned off (with a password) during any session. |
The user cannot manually alter the list of
words. This software will only block known sexually explicit Web sites and does not screen other objectionable material. |
US$25 plus $6/month to update site list. |
| InterGO http://www.teachersoft.com/whoweare/protect.htm | Similar to SurfWatch in its features but includes age-specific ratings similar to those used in video games. For example, a 14 year-old cannot see sites rated 17+ or 21+. | Age ratings are being checked constantly by
the publisher, TeacherSoft. Other features include Multiple users, Reference materials, Personal library and Virus scanning. |
Currently only available for Windows 95. | US$65 |
| CyberSitter http://www.solidoak.com/cybersit.htm | Provides different ways to limit access to objectionable material on the Internet. Parents can choose to block, block and alert, or simply alert them when access is attempted to specific areas. | Monitors use of newsgroups and chat groups.
Predefined Web sites and newsgroups are updated monthly free of charge. Password protect/unprotect. Filters out predefined phrases, not just words. Subject-sensitive filter blocks material including adult, sexual, illegal activities, bigotry, racism, drugs, and pornography. |
Cannot censor images. | US$40 Free updates. |
| TattleTale http://www.solidoak.com/tt.htm | Filters use of specific file types and applications on your computer. | This can be used in conjunction with
another filter (such as one reviewed here). Users can specify applications that they wish
to prevent being used. Will prevent downloaded files from being viewed off-line. |
Will not censor on-line viewing or filtering but rather prevents use of specific programs or files. | US$30 |
| CyberPatrol http://www.cyberpatrol.com/ | Works with all computer platforms. | Can also be set to restrict time spent surfing the Internet. | Most expensive. | US$50 Plus US$20 for six months' of updates. |
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