Monitoring Your Child's Internet Safety When Away

Although it is important to talk with your kids about staying safe online, there is no guarantee that they will take you seriously. If you have spoken with your kids repeatedly about the dangers of the Internet and it does not appear to be working, there is software that you can buy to help you combat predators and ensure that your kids stay safe online. This type of software takes parental controls to the next level with a first-rate monitoring technology and at the same time, violates all of your child's rights to privacy.

PC Pandora

PC Pandora is compatible with Windows 2000 and later and automatically records emails, login names and passwords, keystrokes, websites visited, Instant Messenger conversations, and downloads. The software is virtually invisible to the user and can be password protected so only you can open it to view your child's computer activity.

When you are away from the computer, PC Pandora can send the data it collects to your email. You can also configure it to monitor the PC at a certain times or only the activity of specific users of the PC. You can also set the filtering system to filter out specific content or websites.

If you are unsure of some of the ways cyber criminals can harm your children, Pandora also offers a program that explains the common threats that children face on the Internet, as well as other dangers they may face with their classmates such as cyberbullying. The program is designed for parent groups and community organizations seeking to educate themselves on the dangers of the Internet and using parental controls.

SnoopStick

SnoopStick is another Internet safety monitoring program that allows you to monitor your child's activity on the computer when you are away. You can view your child's activity from a remote computer and intervene if they are engaged in an inappropriate discussion by logging your child off the computer or disconnecting Internet access.

SnoopStick is a USB flash drive that you plug into your child's computer. It installs a program that is completely invisible to your child when they log on. Once the program is installed you simply unplug the SnoopStick drive from the computer.

To monitor your child's activity, you plug SnoopStick into a remote computer that you are using and then connect to the Internet. The monitoring screens automatically open where you can view your child's online activity.

SnoopStick records the websites your child is visiting and monitors Instant Messenger conversations, incoming and outgoing emails, and monitors other activities in real-time. You can set it to allow Internet access for a specific length of time and block access to social networking sites where online predators hang out.

Keeping your kids safe on the Internet is not an easy job and with this type of software you draw a fine line between ensuring your kids are safe and completely invading their privacy. If you have established a trusting relationship with your child, talk with them about why they are being monitored and show them that you care about keeping them safe.

 

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You can protect your computer from viruses without expensive software. Instead, follow these simple tips:

Stay up-to-date on all system updates.

Don't download any email attachments you weren't expecting.

Avoid freeware and peer-to-peer sharing sites.

Use alternative web browsers and email software.