EmailBest Reviewed
Parental Control Software
- Best parental control software CyberPatrol 7.6 *Est. $40
- Best for multiple computers Safe Eyes 5.0 *Est. $50
- Easiest parental filter to use Net Nanny 5.6 *Est. $50
- Integrated parental controls Windows Vista Parental Controls *Est. $100
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Windows Vista Parental Controls
Integrated parental controls
- No annual fees
- IM blocking
- Adjustable levels of blocking
- Restricts games based on ratings
- No remote access
- No time-limit customization
If you've just bought a new computer or plan to upgrade your operating system to Windows Vista, reviews recommend trying Windows Vista Parental Controls before buying standalone software. Reviewers say that Vista's controls are easy to use and difficult for kids to circumvent. The Vista operating system offers most of the major features of standalone software packages, including time-limit settings, adjustable levels of site and application blocking, IM blocking and usage logging. The lack of annual fees is a major competitive advantage. However, reviewers note that Vista doesn't allow parents to customize time limits as well as some other programs, and doesn't offer remote management. For a standalone program that offers remote management, reviewers recommend Safe Eyes 5.0 (*est. $50 per year).
Windows Vista Parental Controls software is reviewed in depth by three sources -- CNet.com, WinCustomize.com and NetSweeper.com -- which all go into great depth about the virtues and liabilities of this program.
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Our Sources
1. CNET
Olsen compares the parental control modules of Apple's new OS, Leopard, and Windows Vista. Feature for feature, she says the two operating systems are on par; both offer time limits, log activities and offer options for different levels of online and application access.
Review: Parents the Winner in Leopard, Vista Showdown, Stefanie Olsen, Nov. 20, 2007
Reviewer "Island Dog" tests the parental controls in Windows Vista, concluding that Vista works better than most freeware and shareware programs. Overall, Vista's tools are a good solution for many parents, though they're advised not to rely on software alone.
Review: Windows Vista: Parental Controls, "Island Dog", Jan. 26, 2007
Editors at NetSweeper.com review Vista's parental controls and point out that it doesn't block proxies, which can be used to circumvent parental controls, and it doesn't block sites that use profanity but don't fall into one of the other categories. The conclusion is that Vista's controls are fine for children under 9 years old, but its filtering isn't strong enough for older kids or adults.
Review: Technical Note -- Windows Vista Parental Controls Review, Editors of NetSweeper.com, Feb. 2007
