KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasConsumer News: Internet Filters
Whether it's unsolicited spam or offensive websites the World Wide Web is a haven for pornography and violence. Many parents rely on special software to block those sites from their children. But Consumer Reports found very few programs actually work.
Roseann Hunt is a parent who says, "I felt as an adult I don't really care to see those sites. So I certainly don't want my children to see them."
The Hunts, like half of all Internet-connected families with teenagers, have special filtering software to block offensive sites. Consumer Reports' Dean Gallea tested 11 software programs to see how well they block offensive websites.
Some come free with a subscription to AOL or MSN; others like Net Nanny and Norton Internet Security cost between $35 and $70. The programs offer different levels of protection for various age groups.
Consumer Reports checked the settings for young teen. "Most did a very good job at blocking pornographic websites, but not as good at blocking websites advocating things like hate, drug use and violence," Gallea said.
In fact, nine of the eleven programs didn't block a site that tells you how to kill someone with your bare hands. And a continuing problem is some also blocked a lot of legitimate sites, like the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Dean Gallea, with Consumer Reports, said, "We did find some products that were better at striking a balance between blocking the objectionable websites and letting through the informational ones."
Top ratings went to a program called Safe Eyes, which you can download for $50. But no matter which filtering software you use, experts agree -- do what the Hunts do and keep the computer in a family area so you can keep tabs on all online activity.
Safe Eyes doesn't work with the Macintosh operating system. So, Consumer Reports recommends the filtering software that comes free with AOL.
