Article Directory
Free Online Article Directory. For Article Authors & Publishers

So What is Parental Control Software Good For?

You only need to have a read up on cyber dangers and cyber safety statistics to know there is a real need to oversee our kids online activities. Parental control software for computer and internet use is a must, especially if you cannot always be there looking over their shoulder. The software generally comes in two main types: Parental control software for monitoring and parental control software for filtering. As the strength of the software is totally dependent on your needs, it is important to understand the main features of each type of internet parental control software available.

What is Parental Control Software?
Internet parental control software is software that can be downloaded onto computers in order to control and monitor a users computer and internet activity. Based on the settings you give it, parental control software can monitor, block, set restrictions, and record all or just certain online and computer activity.

Internet Parental Control Software is used:
1. By parents to control and monitor their children's computer and internet use. As parents, it gives you peace of mind, and to children, their freedom to use the internet as a social and learning tool, whilst ensuring they do not endanger themselves or their family.
2. By employers to help assure employees adhere to company guidelines (and aren't abusing or wasting company resources and time)
3. By adults to find out what their spouse or significant other may be up to.

The software comes in two main types: Parental control filtering software and parental control monitoring software

Parental Control Monitoring Software
Monitoring software is generally completely stealth (undetectable) to the user and allows the user to use the computer and internet freely, while allowing the parent/spouse/employer to monitor and record all activity. Parental control monitoring software can record keywords searched, sites visited, emails, instant messages, chat room conversations, even passwords. This information can then be accessed via reports. This software is often also referred to as spy software.

-Screen Shots. Most monitoring software sends reports that are word based with a list of sites visited, keywords searched, emails written etc, while other software sends visual reports via actual screen shots of the sites visited and pages accessed. This gives you a VCR playback type reporting that is easy to understand and go through.

-Reporting. With most parental control monitoring software you are also given choices on how closely they monitor the user. For example, some may simply want a basic email report of what their child/spouse/employee has done online. Others may want to monitor chat and instant message content, obtain passwords or see actual screen shots of what the user has been up to.

-Remote Reporting Access is very important if you are using monitoring software to ensure that you can access the reports remotely without having to be on the computer you are monitoring. This can be done via email, or some software via an online site that is password protected. Not all parental control monitoring software has remote reporting access.

Parental Control Filtering Software
This software works by filtering, restricting or blocking specific internet and computer access to the user. These settings are set by the software (default) or specifically by the installer. Parental control filter software is great for schools, libraries and other public places. It is mostly effective with younger kids as blocking websites often fails to keep teenagers away from inappropriate content as they simply use a friends computer or try to go around the software. Parental control monitoring software is more appropriate for them.

The best parental control filter should provide the following features:
-Content Filtering by specific words or phrases like "nude" or "drugs" can ensure searches made on those words are blocked. You can also set up a filter that blocks access to certain traffic on the Internet, such as email, newsgroups, instant messaging, and P2p (peer to peer) hosting.

-Blocking access to specific types of sites by URL restriction such as porn and gambling websites. When your child tries to go to one of these websites an "HTTP 404 Page Not Found" error will pop up. You can also block certain computer programs like games and file downloading from the internet (music downloading, you tube or pictures).

-Management & Time Usage controls. For example setting time limits that will restrict the computer to certain times of the day or to a certain amount of downloads. When reached the computer will simply shut off. This can also be set for internet and program use. Some parental control filter software will also issue alerts to parents (via email or text) when their child tries to do something they shouldn't like access restricted sites or search restricted keywords.

Internet parental control software when used properly is a great tool to ensure the safety of your child, keep the work place productive or keep an eye on your significant other. Some software programs use solely filtering or monitoring, and some programs use a combination of both. It is best to work out what features you would like in the software first, then look at the different brands on the market, and make sure you find some actual consumer feedback on them too!

Author Resource:- Lisa Sullivan is a mother of two, an advocate of child internet safety and keen purveyor of Computer Monitoring Software Reports, a site which, amongst other things, compares popular parental control software and explores all prominent internet dangers. Visit her at http://www.MonitorInternetUse.com
Submitted 2010-01-22 02:54:48
By: Lisa Sullivan 99 or more times read
Article Read 164 Times
Article From
Article Listed
[Valid RSS feed]  Lisa Sullivan's Author Feed
http://www.articlelisted.com/author-rss-feed.php?rss=3835
[Valid RSS feed]  Category Rss Feed
http://www.articlelisted.com/rss.php?rss=39

Related Articles

  • Safety U Be able to Afford


    While a regular backup to floppy, CD, or zip drive will save your files, wouldn’t or not it's great if you might create a precise copy (a drive picture) of your laborious disk? That means backups of all of your files, programs, and consumer settings. This is able to undoubtedly save you time when it came to reloading. Acronis might be able to help.
  • Protection You’d Can Afford


    Whereas a regular backup to floppy, CD, or zip drive will save your files, wouldn’t it be great if you might create an actual copy (a drive image) of your laborious disk? Meaning backups of all your information, programs, and person settings. This may positively save you time when it got here to reloading. Acronis may be able to help.
  • Secrets In relation to Search Engine Optimization Techniques And Increasing SEO Prominence


    Many webmaster would like to about how to get their sites a better optimization and understand the notion of receiving higher positioning on the search engines. This article contains facts about the importance of SEO and search engines.
  • Military Weight Management: Keeping Troopers Always Physically Match and Combat-Prepared


    Weight problems has develop into an epidemic throughout the United States and different countries. To treatment this, there has been an influx of different weight loss programs in the industry aiming to assist individuals affected by weight problems or being overweight. In the army service, being overweight is an enormous no-no!
  • A Glattman guide to residence security


    Trying at the brighter aspect, like I said all of your arduous-earned valuables might be protected right this moment with out your having to worry 24/7 whether or not your favourite diamond ring or vintage Chinese vase isn't any more yours once you get again home after a tough day at work!
  • 5 Purposes To Set up Security Cameras At Your Home Or Trade


    In right now’s international, an individual or business proprietor must take the mandatory steps to protect themselves, their family and their investments. Whereas many opt for an entire security machine, that is always a just right suggestion, the addition of security cameras will help to report any/all actions that take place in and around a selected area. Security cameras are not only designed for out of doors use, however are also commonly used indoors.
  • 2011 Security Watch - What is that this 12 months going 2 include in store for us?


    We're getting much more serious about our security. This has a whole lot of causes behind it. For instance, new privacy legal guidelines are mandating organizations to tighten their security. Look to see more client privacy laws handed within the coming 12 months and extra tightening of security systems.
  • Security Software Protect Your Computer On the Internet


    Security Software Protect Your ÿompute€ On the Internet
  • Why you need a very good house security guard


    You undoubtedly want a good house safety guard. In actual fact, your choice of a safety guard on your condo ought to ideally be a greater one than that which you make for a business setting. Why is this the case?
  • Dunwoody locksmiths secure the City


    Social Security is a basic need in the civilized human society. Security is an essential element for the social well being of human beings. Security, not only helps us protect our valuables but our near and dear ones too. With crime related incidents such as house theft increasing each year, security gadgets have become an indispensable part of our well being.

HTML Ready Article. Click on the "Copy" button to copy into your clipboard.




Firefox users please select/copy/paste as usual
Actions
Print This Article
Add To Favorites


Navigation
select
Home
select
Sign up
select
Login
select
Submit Articles
select
Submission Guidelines
select
learn more
select
Top Articles
select
About Us
select
Contact Us
select
Privacy Policy
select
RSS Feeds
   
Submit Your Articles To Our Other Article Directory
Morefreeinformation.com