The Bear Works
Two years ago, we purchased McAfee’s Security software for our Mac notebook. It never worked as well as we’d liked, and seemed to lock up the computer. I heard about Intego, so I decided to review their full suite. I’ve been hooked on Intego ever since.

Every parent knows this scenario. They walk by their child working on the computer, and the computer screen flickers. Finishing homework, my eye. The kid’s  either gaming, reading manga or chatting.

Intego Content Barrier has enough bells and whistles to help parents maintain internet control. Not only parents, but private and homeschooling programs have to control content and website access. We have two wily teenagers at home, and they haven’t defeated the bear yet. Yes, they try, and sometimes we may have to block different websites, add keywords to block subject matter, or change the schedule access. These functions can be completed quickly and easily.

Set Up Different Accounts
Each person can have their own account.  Rather than write a long paragraph, here is what Intego lists Content Barrier can complete:

• Blocks and filters all offensive material from the Internet
• Customizable profiles – if you have several children, you can adjust the settings for their age and maturity
• Seamless interface with Mac OS X user accounts
• Setup assistant simplifies user configuration
• Adjustable levels of protection
• Overview screen shows all user settings
• Pre-determined filters for safe and easy content filtering
• Web site blocking—block or allow specific web sites
• Full recording of activity: sites visited, sites blocked, chats, e-mail, applications, screenshots and keystrokes
• Prevents external disks and volumes from mounting
• Remote web administration from any computer
• Quick enabling/disabling of protection for each user
• Add user photos for easy recognition and configuration
• Blocks streaming media, newsgroups and peer-to-peer software
• Blocks chats and e-mail
• Blocks selected applications
• Filters protocols such as FTP/SFTP, SSH, SSL and online games
• Start and stop time limits from the Intego menu
• Instant authorization for blocked sites
• Automatic search engine redirection
• Limits Internet access by day and time
• AntiPredator function to block predatory language in chat sessions
• Detailed logs of each user’s Internet usage
• Traffic data recorded for an overview of Internet use
• Only authorized users can change program settings
• Automatic updates with NetUpdate
• Automatic e-mail notification of certain events
• User manual in the Help menu

Neat Features
The web filtering identifies key categories that can be blocked, like violence, alcohol, streaming movies or video. Parents can add trusted websites, block websites, or block content by key words (for example, manga or anime). If students need to be working on the computer without internet access, the Schedule function blocks the internet at specific periods. It’s great! In our household, at 9:00 PM the internet shuts off.

Suspicious phrases in chat rooms can be blocked with AntiPredator, and additional phrases can be added. Games, video streaming, peer-to-peer applications, and many other features can also be controlled.

Flexible Software Protection
Content Barrier isn’t rigid. When your children and students test the material, the Content Bear screen pops up, and nicely informs them this material is blocked. Yet, say they need to complete a report on Hitler, or racism. Parents and teachers can unlock this website allowing access. Content Barrier allows choices – either the whole site, just the web page, or the web pages whose URL contains a specific URL string.

Our teenagers aren’t great fans of Content Barrier (ok, they really don’t like the bear), but we’ve been pretty pleased.

Intego offers a 30-day free trial.  Support is provided through their Knowledgebase, user manuals, bug report, or online support service.

System Requirements: Mac OS X 10.4; Mac OS X with Intel for Windows; Universal, 40 MB free hard disk space
Contact: Intego.com
Cost: $49.95 one license; Check online for multiple seat license fees