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SurfSafe
Price: £2.99 inc VAT per month (min 12 months)

Features
Performance
Ease of use
Value for money
Overall

Reviewed By: Mark Wilson

This review updated: 19/01/2006
Featured in magazine:
Issue 127
Manufacturer Contacts:
Supplier: SurfSafe
Tel: 0870 2405746
Web Address: www.surfsafe.co.uk


While there's no denying that the internet is a wonderful resource, if you have children there are obviously some concerns which arise. The largely unpoliced nature of the internet means that all manner of unsavoury content can be located with relative ease. SurfSafe has been designed to give you greater control about what your children view online.

Features
Internet users are assigned an age level much like film classifications – U, PG, 12, 15 and 18 – and you can effectively block access to different types of site, which are organised into a range of categories. A user assigned a U rating will not be able to access web mail or chat programs, for example, while a user with a 15 rating will. In addition to this method of filtering it is possible to compile lists of sites which should always be blocked or always allowed to overcome any failings of the program.

Performance
In testing SurfSafe, we found that in general it did a good job of determining the type of content that was suitable for the selected age group. There are a few niggles here and there – instant messaging programs were sensibly blocked by SurfSafe, but you will have to discover the address of your messaging server if you want to let your children use such programs, which is tricky.

Ease of use
One of the great things about SurfSafe is that all the configuration is carried out online so your children are less likely to be able to adjust settings themselves. Initial configuration of SurfSafe is incredibly easy – you simply need to select a default level of content that can be viewed, and you can then configure different levels for individual users.

Value for money
At £2.99 per month, with a minimum contract of 12 months, SurfSafe will set you back just under £36 a year. This compares well with alternative services such as Net Nanny. A 14-day money-back guarantee gives plenty of time to try out the program but after that, you're tied into a 12-month contract.

More Internet Filtering reviews:

• McAfee SiteAdvisor
• Link Scanner Lite
• Finjin
• Netcraft Anti-Phishing Toolbar
• In Loco Parentis