The availability of inappropriate content on the internet is a growing concern. Many families and businesses are looking for ways to monitor and control access to their computers. SafeEyes is one company offering solutions to these concerns. Safeeyes is currently used by customers in more than 150 countries.
The internet brings the world into our homes and workplaces. With iPhones, iPods and iPads, we access the internet while on the go. It’s a wonderful tool when shopping and paying bills. Research is done from the comfort of the home. Friends far and near keep in touch through the new social networks while music, TV and movies are just a click away.
Unfortunately, there’s also a downside to having the world at our fingertips. The line between public and private information has been blurred. It’s not always easy to tell real information from tabloid nonsense. Strangers talk to strangers in chat rooms, strangers who may not be who they claim to be. The naivety of children makes them particularly vulnerable. Older children may be drawn to pornographic sites out of curiosity or maybe they just spend too much time playing online games. Many parents consider parental control software a necessity.
Safeeyes software works to block objectionable content, objectionable sites and monitor social networking. It works on MACS and PCs. Time limits can be set to limit total computer time and schedule computer access by time of day. A mobile version works like a built in browser to protect the family on the go by filtering access on iPhones, iPads, and iPods with the settings used at home.
The parental control software controls content, sets time limits, logs usage and offers usage alerts. Parents can set different levels of access for individual users. Websites are blocked by category and parents can also specify individual sites to block. The search feature will prevent adult content from showing up with search results. Social Networks can be blocked or permitted but monitored. Instant messaging and chat rooms, a favorite point of contact for online predators, can be blocked or allowed but monitored and recorded.
Parents can block all online gaming or they can block specific sites. A special feature is that videos, online TV and movies can be allowed or blocked based on content. Media sharing used to download pirated videos is prohibited. Music downloads can be censored so that only songs with explicit lyrics are blocked.
Parents can receive easy to read activity reports on a daily or weekly basis. Reports include top sites visited, videos watched, common search terms used, as well as detailed monitoring of chats and the social networks. Parents can request instant alerts by text, phone, or email if their children attempt to access a blocked site.
Many employees make or accept an occasional personal call or arrange personal business, maybe schedule a car repair, during work hours. Now they can also email friends, shop, pay bills, and surf the web. Most would agree accessing pornography at work is not okay but where exactly is the line denoting unacceptable access? Companies are struggling to develop policies to protect their interests without invading their employees’ privacy.
Most companies have developed written policies and use internet access control software to enforce their policies. Safeeyes has two of the best parental control software programs for small to medium sized business. Ethershield is an internet filter that works with both wired and wireless networks and monitors up to 200 computers. Safeeyes Business is an end-point internet filter suitable for businesses of any size. Just like the parental control software, employers can block websites by category and can also customize by inputting individual sites. Access to company computers can also be limited to specific times. Activity reports show specific websites visited for each computer.
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