Compare and Decide

The Netmop filter can stand on its own merits, so there is no need to "bash" the competition. However, our experts agree that due to common misinformation among filtering technology providers we have a responsibility to help educate consumers about the problems with various Internet filtering solutions.

Password Overrides

The first problem that other filtering technologies have is that they are specifically designed to protect only children. They all allow an override password and it is up to the parents to guard this password. There is really no level of protection for the parents themselves. An enterprising young person can quickly find out about spy-ware that will capture and save as you type in this password.

Home vs. Libraries, Schools and Businesses

The second problem that other filtering technologies have is that they are usually designed for the lucrative library, school, and business markets. This requires more complicated setup and features. The software must conform to government regulations, not to what you want as a parent. For example, libraries cannot legally filter some content that you may not want in your home.

ISP/Server Based Filters

Examples: AOL Parental Controls, Bess, SmartFilter, WebSENSE, and I-Gear

ISP based filters are deceptively simple. You just tell your ISP that you want your Internet filtered, and voila you are supposed to be protected. This assumes that the only way to access the Internet is through that ISP, and that the only bad content on the Internet is from web pages.

It is very easy to .dial around. an ISP based filter. For instance, if you use AOL Parental Controls it is very easy for someone to install a trial version of MSN and use it without filtering. Also, there are far more quick and simple methods to get to destructive content from the Internet than just web pages such as news groups, file sharing (e.g. KaZaa), etc.

Another common problem with ISP based filters is that they often times dramatically slow down your Internet connection speed because the ISP has to .proxy. all of the web pages through a single funnel.

Client Based Filters

Examples: Net Nanny, Cyber Patrol, CYBERsitter, SurfWatch, X-Stop.

These are the traditional software filter programs that you may find in a software store or online. They tout that there are .no ongoing subscription fees.. What that really means is that you have purchased a software program that has been sitting on a shelf and is most likely already out of date. Then they will sell you support often in the $10-$20 range per incident. Then, when they have upgraded their software to match the new security problems that arise on the Internet they will try to sell you their latest upgraded version.

Most client based filters are now advanced enough to keep their bad site lists updated regularly, but the problem comes in when a new method becomes available to distribute objectionable content via the Internet, such as KaZaa. These companies have long since left you to move on to the next customer at that point, but they will be glad to sell you the updated version that will protect you when it arrives in stores 6 months later.

Perhaps one of the most alarming issues with these products is that they are easily circumvented or disabled. In fact there are organizations whose mission it is to do so in the name of .free speech.. For instance www.cexx.org has instructions on how to disable all of the above-mentioned programs and more.