In accordance with (75R) House Bill 1300 from the Texas State Legislature, Village Online is providing links to the following web sites which offer tools and/or services to assist in parental control of what your children have access to on the Internet. Each of the following companies are involved in finding ways to keep the Internet safe for kids, and free from government regulation <g>. Many of them have demonstrations of software in which you can download, and use on a trial basis.

Note: Links to the software and/or services provided on this page appear in alphabetical order, not in order of our preference. Village Online expresses or accepts absolutely no responsibility for the fitness or effectiveness of any software titles and/or services linked herein. Please direct any grievances or technical questions to the respective software publisher or service provider.

SOFTWARE TITLES AND SERVICES

BESS The Internet Retriever -  BESS is a WWW page which allows access to the Internet using sophisticated filtering techniques. Web pages, sites, mail, etc. containing objectionable language or images are filtered out. Although a subscription service, it is definitely worth your consideration.
Children's Internet Browser  -  Designed to give parents complete control over their children's Internet use, thereby allowing the child to safely explore and benefit from the Net's educational content. Parent's password allows for management of allowable URLs in the encrypted database. Simple to Manage and Simply Safe. Comes pre-configured with Safe Sites. Free Safe Site Updates are provided to Registered owners on an ongoing basis.
Crayon Crawler -  The Crayon Crawler is a web browser to protect children on-line. Features include the first talking chat room for kids, automatic blocking of vulgarity, animated characters that can actually read to, and interact with the children, a "closed" email system that eliminates Spam, pornographic solicitations, links and unwanted emails, as well as instant messaging that allows children to know if their community friends are on-line.
CrossingGuard -  A free, server-based, comprehensive Web filtering, available for set-up directly from the crosswalk.com Web site. CrossingGuard claims to use the largest available database of rated Web sites to filter out nearly 5 million of the 100 million pages on the Web.
Cyber Sentinel -  Cyber Sentinel is a easy to use total security solution for the both business and the home user. It allows user not only to block inappropriate material(web pages, e-mail, pictures, and word processing documents) no matter what format it is in, or what it is. It also allows the owner to configure the program to run in stealth mode(so the end user doesn't know it is running). The owner can the run Cyber Sentinel later and see screenshots of when the user was in inappropriate material.
CyberSitter -  Solid Oak Software offers several versions of CyberSitter. You may run it on a network or on a personal computer. They are also working on a program to help rate the internet.
Disk Tracy -  Allows parents to monitor what children are doing on the Internet without filtering or restricting access. It finds and displays text and graphics files, hidden graphics and compressed files and a listing of all web sites visited.
EdView -  Recommended for children's rooms or schools where 100% effectiveness is required.
Enuff -  With ENUFF parents or teachers can easily access the computer at all times with no restriction, restrict any child from using the computer in part or in whole, assign and edit children's passwords, access a user log to see who has used the computer and when, choose which child can connect to the Internet, eliminate conflicts with other computer users in the family or classroom, by permitting any child to use the computer during pre-determined days and times allow up to three daily or weekly settings per child.
FamilySafe Media -  Internet and TV filtering devices.
Fontrol -  A unique way to control Internet access, Fontrol is a new electronic device designed to solve the age-old parent-teenager telephone hassle. FonTrol is a simple-to-install, easy-to-use switch that you plug into any phone extension or dedicated phone line you wish to control. In less than five minutes, you can program FonTrol to switch your phone OFF/ON at whatever times of day or night you specify. Control phone use, long distance calls and Internet access with Fontrol.
GuardiaNet -  GuardiaNet is an Internet filtering software that provides families with hassle-free protection from inappropriate material on the Internet. You set the standards. You decide what is appropriate, and GuardiaNet carries out your wishes — with no worry, no hassle, and no downloading. Very flexible with regular update.
I-Gear -  Blocking tool with many features. Requires user authentication, gives roaming users access to bookmarks, history, and their customized access rights. Enables customizable list-based filtering with pre-filled categories such as sex, crime, gambling, and make applicable to users, groups of users. Provides ability to create "allow lists" to focus Internet access on specific sites and make applicable to users, groups of users, computers, or groups of computers.
Internet Filter (The) -  The Internet Filter is a program that monitors, filters, analyzes, and logs internet access. This site has a free, limited feature version, and allows you to purchase the full version. They also encourage comparisons of various products, so they are pretty certain they have a winner.
Momma Bear -  Momma Bear automatically adapts for your system so you don't need to worry about the Windows Operating System details. It lets you set up a list of allowed programs. If enabled, only a program in this list will be able to run on the computer. You can easily stop games and other unwanted programs by not adding them to the allowed programs list.
Net Nanny -  This software allows the parent to control all access to the computer, not only Internet resources, but offline computer usage as well. Check this one out!
NetProtector  -  NetProtector^TM is the ONLY hardware solution on the market for locking out the Internet. You can determine whether or not your child has access to the Internet. NetProtector claims to be the simplest way for parents to lock out the Internet. No software to install or update and easy to use key locking system.
Sentry Cam -  SentryCam, does not block or filter but does follow the child onto the Internet and takes screen shots at timed intervals set by the parents. It provides for easy review by the parent who is able to see exactly what activities the child experienced while in a chat room or any other area of the Internet.
Smart Alex -  SmartAlex ICU monitors computer activity all the time, not only during Internet sessions. Also good for employers who want to keep tabs on how company computer time is being spent.
Surf Monkey -  Surf Monkey is the safe and easy way for kids to learn and have fun on the Internet. A web browser and online service designed exclusively for kids, this installable CD-ROM houses the Surf Monkey animated, talking monkey host. He transports kids into the world of Internet exploration while offering tips and tricks designed to entertain and amuse them during their journey.
SurfPass -  SurfPass makes it possible to limit the duration of Internet use by means of an account for each user, and even to keep detailed activity logs. The software also allows screening of addresses with a list of authorized or prohibited sites. The user and the administrator are identified by means of a name and a password, or a smartcard in the case of the SurfPass card option.
WebKeys Prowler -  Webkeys Prowler is a free browser plug-in that enables families, schools, libraries and businesses to control what is viewed on their computers. The program is a Virtual V-Chip that automatically detects adult content. The program is a small plug-in for Microsoft Internet Explorer^TM and does not affect any other program.
Win Guardian -  WinGuardian watches over users of Windows 95 in two ways. It can keep a log file of user visited web sites and it can also lock Windows 95 so that a user can only run and access programs that an administrator authorizes. Free download available.