Parental Control Software Reviews and Links

[Replies: 36]
I thought these links would be helpful. They offer full reviews of parental control software including screen shots. SafeEyes 5.0, WebWatcher, IamBigBrother, Spector Pro, Optenet PC, Advanced Parental Control.
Last Post Jul 27, 2010 10:10 AM by: LouSmith
LouSmith
Posts: 6
From: Dallas Texas
Registered: 7/27/10
(37 of 37)

Re: Parental Control Software Reviews and Links

Jul 27, 2010 10:10 AM
Countless programs try to deal with the problems caused by the technology of cell phones and computers. Even Oprah Winfrey closes her show every day by encouraging kids go to her website and pledge not to text and drive.

The problem with all of these things is that they either don't eliminate the danger or they only deal with a small part of it.

I recommend the web safety application because it sends a text message alert to the parent's cell phone and a detailed email to their computer whenever a dangerous or inappropriate event happens on either the child's computer or cell phone.

Most parents believe that they know what's going on with their kids but very few people really understand the extent of dangers their children face every day. That's why I wrote the "Parent's Guide to the CyberWorld of Children."

It's available at no cost at www.LessStress4parents.com

I hope that you find it helpful.
Maureen
Posts: 584
Registered: 6/13/07
(36 of 37)

Re: Parental Control Software Reviews and Links

Jul 16, 2010 7:48 AM
Welcome William, Can you tell us what you like about the product, such as key features and how they work for your family?

(A quick reminder, too, everyone: I really hope nobody's promoting the product(s) of the company they work for, since No Advertising is one of our community rules.)

Thanks much,
Maureen

--
Maureen Kochan
ConnectSafely community manager
William Allen
Posts: 1
Registered: 7/16/10
(35 of 37)

Re: Parental Control Software Reviews and Links

Jul 16, 2010 7:05 AM
I would recommend you one of the best keyloggers and computer monitoring softwares:

http://www.medosoft.net/auto-capture-pc-review.php
Philip
Posts: 1
Registered: 7/2/10
(34 of 37)

Re: Parental Control Software Reviews and Links

Jul 2, 2010 10:11 AM
Thnaks for the helpful advice
Mimmy23
Posts: 16
Registered: 4/6/10
(33 of 37)

Re: Parental Control Software Reviews and Links

May 12, 2010 8:07 AM
Thanks for sharing.
I can also advise ProteMac KeyBag.
MarsaWatts
Posts: 3
Registered: 2/25/10
(32 of 37)

Re: Parental Control Software Reviews and Links

Feb 25, 2010 12:57 PM
Hi and thanks for the information. As for me I'm using Elite keylogger for monitoring my kids' activity. I know, this tool is one of those "bad" software types, it is a keylogger, but it works great for me. I can receive logs when I'm out of home and see what my kids are really doing. But I will try those you've listed here, thanks for the info!
Kimberly01
Posts: 1
Registered: 2/24/10
(31 of 37)

Re: Parental Control Software Reviews and Links

Feb 24, 2010 6:45 AM
I prefer use ActyMac DutyWatch.I use it for my childrens.It's really good computer's monitoring program.Try)
Michael Goldberg
Posts: 15
From: West Chester Pa
Registered: 6/22/06
(30 of 37)

Re: Parental Control Software Reviews and Links

Nov 10, 2009 12:16 PM
Hello :):

For what it is worth, I am employed at SpectorSoft and we are not considered malware, nor are we making our company name with this other company you mentioned. I am not sure where you drew that conclusion, but I wanted to make sure that I pointed that out.

I also wanted to mention that the original poster is an affiliate to these products and they are essentially trying to garner better web page rankings in order to increase their sales. My advice and suggestion to anyone that is looking for monitoring software to keep an eye on their kids would be to do your homework and read everything, not just what it will do. You may find more often than not with many of these companies that they do not update their software, or perhaps they have sub standard tech support.

With any of these companies I strongly suggest you read them carefully and also make sure what you are reading is completely accurate.

It has been quite a while since I have posted on this message board, but I do check to see if I could be of assistance and provided that Anne and Larry do not have any objections I would like to continue to do so.

Regards,

Michael Goldberg
SpectorSoft Corporation
1-888-598-2788
MikeG(at)SpectorSoft.com
nuocmy89
Posts: 4
Registered: 7/9/09
(29 of 37)

Re: Parental Control Software Reviews and Links

Oct 29, 2009 8:33 PM
> Careful there.
> Some of those parental control programs store data on THEIR servers and even sell your information which makes them MALWARE. Granted some programs will be picked up as malware/spyware by some of the major antivirus/trojan detectors, but if a programs storing data somewhere besides your PC its selling your data.
>
> Of note in that list is Webwatcher which does store information on their servers (keylogs, snaps pictures every few minutes of your screen, and detects keywords in webpages and saves the pages/links) instead of sending the info to an email address of your choosing from your PC.
> Read a little on that at
>
> http://forum.sysinternals.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12535&PN=2
>
> As usual google for more (suggest typing in Webwatcher +spyware to read up on more specifics relating to its spyware activity rather than SETUP since its supposed to be setup LIKE spyware not BE spyware like other programs of this nature)
>
>
> Then theres IamBigBrother:
>
> http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2004-070516-0957-99
>
> Yeah of course Symantec is going to pick it up its a keylogger and/or root-kit (all monitoring software is)
> But worth noting other legitimate parental control/monitoring programs aren't listed like they are, and it isn't just symantec listing them as a risk either. This one MAY depend on where you downloaded it from... User beware.
>
>
> Spector Pro and Optenet PC:
> Same company from the looks of it, same racket. Somehow Optenet PC got more mainstream reviews on it etc.. but they seem to be selling data. Big hint, any program marketed under different names should always be assumed to be malware PERIOD. I don't care what XYZ reviewer said about it.
>
>
> Advanced Parental Control:
> With such a generic name (ala XP antivirus, Sentry Antivirus, Windows Antivirus 2008/2009, etc..) , its HARD to look up...
> Was made like that for a good reason, so you wouldn't get any hIts on that fact that its malware and selling your data.
>
> Someone mentioned Sentry parental controls or something of that nature, thats definitely malware. Few searches turn up alot of results. I also posted about it earlier with a link to a review linking it with malware and them selling your data.
>
> Safeeyes seems like the only legitimate program in that list. Found symante, mcafee, etc.. info on it but no dirt from anywhere really.
>
> With security/monitoring software always
> type out the name in your favorite browser directly followed by +spyware or +malware to see what comes up, it may just give you a hint on whether to avoid it, its risk rating (lows are good) or an outright warning from symantec or another big name like kaspersky labs or mcafee telling you to avoid it like the plague. And also, watch what links you follow to download this stuff,
>
> http://www.parental-control-software-top5.com/
>
> a rating site like that hardly seems like a legitimate place to download ANYTHING. Look for the real manufacturer webpage.



And conclusion, what is your advice?
Al2009
Posts: 5
From: USA
Registered: 10/29/09
(28 of 37)

Re: Parental Control Software Reviews and Links

Oct 29, 2009 3:14 PM
Careful there.
Some of those parental control programs store data on THEIR servers and even sell your information which makes them MALWARE. Granted some programs will be picked up as malware/spyware by some of the major antivirus/trojan detectors, but if a programs storing data somewhere besides your PC its selling your data.

Of note in that list is Webwatcher which does store information on their servers (keylogs, snaps pictures every few minutes of your screen, and detects keywords in webpages and saves the pages/links) instead of sending the info to an email address of your choosing from your PC.
Read a little on that at

http://forum.sysinternals.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12535&PN=2

As usual google for more (suggest typing in Webwatcher +spyware to read up on more specifics relating to its spyware activity rather than SETUP since its supposed to be setup LIKE spyware not BE spyware like other programs of this nature)


Then theres IamBigBrother:

http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2004-070516-0957-99

Yeah of course Symantec is going to pick it up its a keylogger and/or root-kit (all monitoring software is)
But worth noting other legitimate parental control/monitoring programs aren't listed like they are, and it isn't just symantec listing them as a risk either. This one MAY depend on where you downloaded it from... User beware.


Spector Pro and Optenet PC:
Same company from the looks of it, same racket. Somehow Optenet PC got more mainstream reviews on it etc.. but they seem to be selling data. Big hint, any program marketed under different names should always be assumed to be malware PERIOD. I don't care what XYZ reviewer said about it.


Advanced Parental Control:
With such a generic name (ala XP antivirus, Sentry Antivirus, Windows Antivirus 2008/2009, etc..) , its HARD to look up...
Was made like that for a good reason, so you wouldn't get any hIts on that fact that its malware and selling your data.

Someone mentioned Sentry parental controls or something of that nature, thats definitely malware. Few searches turn up alot of results. I also posted about it earlier with a link to a review linking it with malware and them selling your data.

Safeeyes seems like the only legitimate program in that list. Found symante, mcafee, etc.. info on it but no dirt from anywhere really.

With security/monitoring software always
type out the name in your favorite browser directly followed by +spyware or +malware to see what comes up, it may just give you a hint on whether to avoid it, its risk rating (lows are good) or an outright warning from symantec or another big name like kaspersky labs or mcafee telling you to avoid it like the plague. And also, watch what links you follow to download this stuff,

http://www.parental-control-software-top5.com/

a rating site like that hardly seems like a legitimate place to download ANYTHING. Look for the real manufacturer webpage.
Maureen
Posts: 584
Registered: 6/13/07
(27 of 37)

Re: Parental Control Software Reviews and Links

Oct 16, 2009 7:53 AM
Thanks, everyone, for the recommendations. But can you tell us what you like about the products (key features and how they work for your family)?

Also, I really hope nobody's promoting the product(s) of the company they work for, since No Advertising is one of our community rules.

Thanks much,
Maureen

--
Maureen Kochan
ConnectSafely community manager
newspypig
Posts: 6
Registered: 10/15/09
(26 of 37)

Re: Parental Control Software Reviews and Links

Oct 15, 2009 6:32 PM
There are so many dangerous people on line, so parental control is necessary, you can find some parental control software from http://www.parental-controls-software.net
Selmacartman
Posts: 1
From: Vail, CO
Registered: 6/17/09
(25 of 37)

Re: Parental Control Software Reviews and Links

Jun 17, 2009 3:21 AM
There is a website that lists and reviews Parental Control Software. I think it's a good place to start since it gives you softwares to compare and choose from.
KarenG.
Posts: 5
From: usa
Registered: 2/9/09
(24 of 37)

Re: Parental Control Software Reviews and Links

Feb 15, 2009 7:20 AM
Hi Maureen,

Thank you for your response.

I use a simple Internet filter called EZ Internet Timer to control my children’s internet usage. I like this tool cause it very user friendly and does the trick perfectly under my Windows Vista 64-bit (not too many programs support it). It can stop all children’s on-line activity and block Internet browsers, e-mails, messengers according to my daily schedule. I set specific time periods for use by each of my child in the family. One of the most favorite features is the ability to set browsing and messaging timers separately from emails.

--
Edited by KarenG. at 02/15/2009 7:22 AM
Maureen
Posts: 584
Registered: 6/13/07
(23 of 37)

Re: Parental Control Software Reviews and Links

Feb 14, 2009 8:14 AM

Hi, KarenG, I'm sorry about removing the post, but we've been getting a LOT of spam on this thread and sometimes it's tough to know who's giving honest product appraisals and who's just promoting their company's product! Please do repost your recommendations, and tell us a little about the products (key features as well as bad points, if any).

Thanks much,
Maureen
 
~ Maureen Kochan
ConnectSafely community manager

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