Secure The Family Internet With Software
We come to the end of this series with a look at how to secure all these devices we have running everywhere on various networks and locations. Only securing the home internet isn’t enough to if you’ve got cellphones and tablets jumping on any WiFi they can find, or going over a cellular network that completely bypasses the security you’ve put in place with home equipment.
Software filters
Installing software on each device is more tedious than securing the home router/modem/firewall. It will take a little longer to setup, but it’s worth it. Picking what software to use requires you to become aware of the types of devices you have. Get ready to write a few things down if that’s helpful for your eventual shopping. Do you have Windows? Mac? Linux?
Let’s next talk about smartphones. Is it an IPhone? Android (which has numerous distributors, but ultimately is an Android)? What types of tablets do you have (the typical is IPad or some type of Android)? A Windows Surface? But there’s also Amazon tablets that, although running Android, may not allow easy access to the Google play store and therefore might not easily install the software you choose. Basically be aware of what you have before just buying something or you’ll be disappointed and potentially out some money if you can’t get a refund.
Features
Time limits
Having the ability to restrict by time can be a useful method to limiting device overexposure. Time typically limits come in a couple categories. One is the ability to limit time of day use, or a window of use, e.g. between 3pm-8pm perhaps. Another alternative configuration would be to set a maximum number of hours (let’s say 4 hours per day) and let the device user manage their own time on apps and online.
Blocking sites and categories
This can be a powerful way to help limit exposure to unwanted parts of the internet. The category option is helpful because it covers a wide swath of the internet. A recent survey by Netcraft counted 1.2 billion websites out there and trying to filter them one at a time isn’t feasible. As websites are scanned and categorized the various software filters can then allow you to pick ok and not ok websites by group. Security software can also allow you to block specific websites if you don’t want to block a whole category. Many security software also allows the adult the ability to bypass filters.
Geolocation
It might be important to be aware where these devices are all traveling off to. Security software can track the location reporting of the device and allow reporting on this in the dashboard. Lost devices, or peace of mind with younger device owners can be a powerful tool when used in the right context.
Requesting access
The security app can allow interaction between the user and manager of the software. In this case a child can request access to a particular website or request more time. Not all categorizing (above) is perfect or precise. There may be a website the child goes to that’s deemed safe by the parent, but they don’t want to unblock the whole category of websites. This allows the child to ask for access which is particularly handy if the child and parent are separated when a child is visiting a friends, or the parent is at work.
App Restrictions
Not expecting everyone to have their family or child’s laptop perfectly secured from app installation, this feature can be handy. A new app is downloaded to the phone or laptop and installed. As the parent you might want to know about this before the child is able to play the new app, or at least review it later. Security software with this capability can keep age inappropriate apps unavailable until you can review them.
Alerting / Reporting
Any good security software will have a reporting and alerting mechanism for the parent. How do you know who’s doing what otherwise? And the two (alerting/reporting) go hand in hand. Receiving a one time alert may work well in the moment, but a reporting component lets you review a day’s or week’s set of events.
Two Factor Authentication (2FA)
This is an important part of security today. You want the console you login for managing your computers to be secure. Think about this being compromised. Someone could lock you out of your own computers! They could remove software, install software, watch your activity or your kids activity. This software you install to manage your computers is very powerful. It should be properly secured. If a software doesn’t offer 2FA you really should consider using something else.
Software to Secure the Family Internet
Kaspersky for Kids
Kaspersky for kids is something that installs across computers and phones. It has an app for parents to control access, manage blocked sites, get alerts when someone requests more time or request access to a site blocked by category. A cursory review of their privacy policy shows they have considered the end user and lay out their data retention timeline. They are a software company based out of Russia and have installations across the world.
Pros
I’ve been using it and am pretty happy with it compared to the cost. It has category controls, warnings or blocking, time based access per day allowing individual days by week or setting a weekday/weekend, set by time or set by time duration. Their software installs on Windows, Mac, Android, and limited features on IPhones/IPads due to Apple restrictions. It alerts me to new programs installed on the computer that I can either allow or not. They do support the 2FA configuration through text or authentication apps (Google Authenticator) which gives a greater amount of security to the parent portal.
Cons
The app is a little clunky at times. Finding where to set time limits or windows of use during the day may get a little frustrating. Once you have it down it’s not a problem, but it isn’t necessarily naturally intuitive. It also isn’t based out of the US, but is a Russian based company. Russia continues to tighten it’s grip on internet controls and it may make it harder for companies like Kaspersky to keep the government out of its business. It’s something to watch the news about.
The US government recently decided it was too high a risk to use Kaspersky and made a policy it wouldn’t be used. I’ll say that they may not have the same privacy laws in place to protect your information as your country. That said, the US is in a weak position to criticize. A quick perusal of the latest news from the past few years shows the US is falling short in protecting from hacks, and helping individuals have rights around the data being collected about them from the large social media companies.
Net Nanny
Net Nanny claims most of the nice to haves talked about above. Their website says they cover filtering, time restrictions, geolocation, alerting/reporting, and managing settings by the parent through an online portal or through an app on a smart device. Net Nanny’s privacy statement covers the typical COPPA rules, so they follow obligations around information collected when the child is under 13. They do have a substantial set of disclaimers on information sharing and targeted ads. The information sharing claims to be anonymized, but it goes without saying that they are profiting in ways beyond your simple purchase of the software.
Pros
Net Nanny has a large set of features giving you the flexibility to manage the security from a number of aspects. A powerful tool can fill in the potential gaps a child may slip by inadvertently or purposefully exposing them to unwanted areas of the internet.
Cons
The price goes up substantially from others like Kaspersky. There is the maxim that you get what you pay for and at some level that’s certainly the case. There’s also a diminishing law of returns and the cost may get high enough that it isn’t a good fit if you’re not using all the features or have a lot of devices that price you out of house and home. Also check your device requirements. The Net Nanny has some higher iOS level requirements for Apple devices. If you have an older phone your child may not benefit from this. I also don’t see 2FA supported as of writing this article.
Qustodio
A competitor to other top rated security software is Qustodio. This company is based out of Spain. Their privacy outlines a good thought process around personal information, anonymizing where they can, and there are maximum data retention policies in place. They function under not only the laws of Spain, but they also are part of the EU, so they are also under the GDPR, a wide sweeping law on personal data privacy.
Pros
They cover the different devices. If you’ve got windows, mac, iPhone, or Android, they claim to support it on their website. Even the Kindle fire is supported, an Android modified tablet on their list. An additional monitoring piece is text and calls. I like that they also provide price breaks for schools and not for profits.
Cons
Check the iOS requirements in case your phone ends up being too old. Their controls interface to set policy and manage your devices is a little older in style. They, like Net Nanny, are a higher cost product so if you have a large number of devices or just want to keep the budget tight compare other software before buying.
Summary
There’s a lot to take in and decide on here. A final thought and option to help decide: many of these products offer demos or free lesser versions so you can test them out on your own device first to see what you like before investing the money on a year long purchase and commitment. I’d highly recommend doing that and seeing what you like best. Then you’ll be on your way to better securing those wandering devices.