Norton Internet Security 2001 Family Edition
© 2001 Symantec
Note: please see the 2002 review. This product is the most invasive of the filters you can buy. It is currently the only Windows 2000 filtering option. The following review is of the 2000 edition, which appeared in the March 2000 edition of CSR. Facts about the latest edition follow the review. This Internet utility controls children's online access, filters incoming data and generally protects kids as they're using the computer. Parents can create accounts for each member of the household and, using a simple setup menu, they can can block access to sexually-oriented, violence-related and other objectionable sites. Irritating or inappropriate advertising banners can be blocked as well. The software also adds some extra security that stops a child from giving out personal information like phone number and address. It's especially easy to update the blocked sites list, too— click the update button, and it's done automatically. Although the software bills itself as the "Essential Internet Protection for Your Computer", it is hardly perfect and we were able to get into some sexually explicit sites. The software does, however, do a good job of blocking advertisements. Keep in mind that filtering the Internet is a difficult task. Children with knowledge of search engines can sometimes find ways around security systems like these. While not flawless, this program offers a relatively safe way for families to explore the Internet. Note: A copy of Norton AntiVirus 2001 is include.
$79.95, Win 95, 98, ME, and 2000 (CD-ROM)
Teaches: (Internet filtering, utility)