NetProtector^®

We have been asked various questions over the years about our NetProtector^® product. We have gathered all of the frequently asked questions and answered them here. Of course, if you don't find the answers here you can always contact us.

 

General Questions

Why would I want NetProtector^®?
How do I lock the Internet?
How do I unlock the Internet?
When would I use NetProtector^®?
I have a password on my dialup software - isn't that enough protection?
Can you access any part of the Internet when NetProtector^® is in the lock position?
Can my children still Instant Message their friends when NetProtector^® is in the lock position?
How do I limit or control my children's access to the Internet?
Will NetProtector^® slow down my Internet speed?
Can the keys be easily duplicated at any hardware store?
How many keys does NetProtector^® come with?
What operating system is required to use NetProtector^®?
What type of computer is required to use NetProtector^®?
What type of modem is required to use NetProtector^®?
What browsers does NetProtector^® work with?
If I turn NetProtector^® on and off often, won't the lock go bad
quickly?
Does the rest of the computer functions, other than Internet access, work when NetProtector^® is in the locked position?
Does the computer have to be on to use NetProtector^®?

 

Installation Questions

How easy is it to install?
How do you install it?
Does NetProtector^® work with a dial up Internet connection?
Does NetProtector^® work with a cable Internet connection?
Does NetProtector^® work with ADSL Internet connection?
Is there any software to install?
Does NetProtector^® work with a T1 line?
Do I need to have any computer skills to install NetProtector?^®

 

Filtering and Blocking Software

Can NetProtector^® be used with filtering and blocking software?
Why wouldn't I just use filtering and blocking software?
Does NetProtector^® filter web information?
My kid is a computer wiz - will he be able to hack his way in and disable the program?

 

Multiple Computer Use

Can NetProtector^® be used when a router is connected between the computer and Internet?
Can NetProtector^® control multiple computers at once?
What are the benefits of NetProtector^® vs. the existing filtering software products on the market?
Does NetProtector^® work with a T1 line?

General Questions

Q: Why would I want to buy NetProtector^®?
A: NetProtector^® is the simplest way to promote a safe Internet environment for your children. When you are unable to supervise your children's Internet usage, or you want to limit the time they are online, NetProtector^® turns your Internet connection off with a simple turn of a key.  The rest of your computer functions are still in tact, just the Internet is disabled.

Q: How do I lock the Internet?
A: You simply put the key into NetProtector^® and switch it to the locked position and remove the key.

Q: How do I unlock the Internet?
A: You simply put the key into NetProtector^® and switch it to the unlocked position and remove the key.

Q: When would I use NetProtector^®?
A: You would use NetProtector^® when you did not want your children to access the Internet.  This is useful when your children should be doing their homework, if they have been on the Internet too long, or if you are not able to supervise their Internet usage.

Q: I have a password on my dialup software - isn't that enough protection?
A: No. Children are very computer savvy. They might get around a password on the dialup software in two ways. First, they can install another dialup account without you knowing (there are free ones out there). Second, they can install a program that records keystrokes. These programs record every word you type into the computer. This way they can learn the dialup password and even the passwords for the Internet filtering/blocking software.

Q: Can you access any part of the Internet when NetProtector^® is in the lock position?
A: No.   NetProtector^® does NOT filter Internet content; it is a locking device. When NetProtector^®  is in the lock position the Internet cannot be accessed at all. Filtering products were tested by Consumer Reports. Most of the products they tested failed to block 1 in 5 objectionable sites. (Consumer Reports, "Digital chaperones for kids", March 2001). Their conclusion was "Filtering software is no substitute for parental supervision."

Q: Can my children still instant messages with their friends when NetProtector is in the lock position?
A: No.  Children cannot access anything on the Internet when  NetProtector^® is in the lock position. All other non-Internet computer functions such as word processing still works (so children can still do their homework).

Q: How do I limit or control my children's access to the Internet?
A: You control exactly when Internet usage is available by using a key to turn NetProtector^® to the lock or unlock position.  When NetProtector^® is in the lock position, Internet access if not available.  When NetProtector^® is in the unlock position, Internet access is available.

Q: Will NetProtector ^®slow down my Internet speed?
A: No. Your internet connection will be just as fast as before.

Q: Can the keys be easily duplicated at any hardware store?
A: NetProtector^® uses tubular security keys which can only be duplicated at a by a locksmith. There are over 20,000 combinations possible with our locks. We still recommend that you keep your NetProtector^® keys in a secure place. 

Q: How many keys come with NetProtector^®?
A: Two keys come with NetProtector^®.

Q: What operating system is required to use NetProtector^®?
A: NetProtector^® works with Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, ME, XP, any Mac, or Linux OS.

Q: What type of computer is required to use NetProtector^®?
A: NetProtector^® works with any computer.

Q: What type of modem is required to use NetProtector^®?
A: Any internal modem (dialup connection), external cable modem connected by Ethernet cable, external ADSL modem connected by Ethernet cable, or external DSL modem connected by Ethernet cable is required. If you don't know if you have an Ethernet connection, see Ethernet vs. USB Port  or contact us for more details.

Q: What browsers does NetProtector ^® work with?
A: NetProtector^® works with all browsers including Internet Explorer and Netscape.

Q: If I turn NetProtector^® on and off often, won't the lock go bad quickly?
A: No.  NetProtector^® uses a commercial grade lock that will not go bad quickly.

Q: Does the rest of the computer functions, other than Internet access, work when NetProtector^® is in the locked position?
A: Yes.  All other computer functions such as word processing, spreadsheets, and games are all accessible when NetProtector^® is in the locked position.

Q: Does the computer have to be on to use NetProtector^®?
A: No. The computer does not have to be on to use NetProtector^®.  That is one of the biggest benefits; parents don't even need to know how to use the computer to use NetProtector^®..

Q: Do I need to have any computer skills to install NetProtector?^®
A: No.  The computer does not even have to be on to install NetProtector^®.

Installation Questions

Q: How easy is it to install?
A: NetProtector^® is simple to install.  You just connect two wires and that is it!  There is no software to install or update!

Q: How do you install it?
A: For the Telephone Version, NetProtector^® connects between the  modem of the computer and the telephone wall jack, as shown below. A tamper-resistant clip keeps NetProtector^® from being unplugged from the back of the computer.

A: For the Cable/ADSL Modem Version, NetProtector^® connects between your Ethernet network port of the computer and Cable or ADSL modem, as shown below. A tamper-resistant clip keeps NetProtector^® from being unplugged from the back of the computer.

Q: Does NetProtector^® work with a dial up Internet connection?
A: Yes. The Telephone version of NetProtector^® works with dial up Internet connections.

Q: Does NetProtector^® work with cable Internet connection?
A: Yes.  The Cable/ADSL Modem version of NetProtector^® works with cable Internet connections.

Q: Does NetProtector^® work with ADSL Internet connection?
A: Yes.  The Cable/ADSL Modem version of NetProtector^® works with ADSL Internet connections.

Q: Is there any software to install?
A: No.  There is no software to install or update.  NetProtector^® is a 100% hardware solution. Filtering software products were tested by Consumer Reports. Most of the products they tested failed to block 1 in 5 objectionable sites. (Consumer Reports, "Digital chaperones for kids", March 2001). Their conclusion was "Filtering software is no substitute for parental supervision."

Q: Does NetProtector^® work with a T1 line?
A: Yes. NetProtector is connected between your T1 line hardware and your computer (or router if you have multiple computers).

Filtering and Blocking Software

Q: Can NetProtector® be used with filtering and blocking software?
A: Yes. NetProtector^® does not limit any of the filtering/blocking software. 

Q: Why wouldn't I just use filtering and blocking software?
A: Children can install a program that records keystrokes. These programs record every word you type into the computer. This way they can learn the passwords for the Internet filtering/blocking software. There are also program that children can download to get around the filtering/blocking software (see bypassing).

Filtering software products were tested by Consumer Reports. Most of the products they tested failed to block 1 in 5 objectionable sites. (Consumer Reports, "Digital chaperones for kids", March 2001). Their conclusion was "Filtering software is no substitute for parental supervision."

Most Internet filtering systems work by looking for certain keywords which indicate the presence of offensive material. However, this technique can easily produce unwanted results. For example, if you block access to web sites that contain the word "breast" you also block out sites with chicken recipes and mammogram information. 

Filtering by keyword also will fail to block sites that have only objectionable pictures and few or no words. This is a technique that adult sites sometimes use to bypass filtering.

There are also problems with filtering based on lists of sites to be blocked. First, these lists are incomplete. Due to the decentralized nature of the Internet, it's practically impossible to definitively search all Internet sites for "objectionable" material. Adult material might be added to (or removed from) a site soon after the site is added to (or removed from) a list of blocked sites.

Because the Internet is huge and growing every day, there is no filtering system that can be 100% effective.  Therefore, NetProtector^® is the best way to allow Internet usage when parental supervision is available.

Q: Does NetProtector® filter web information?
A: No. NetProtector^® locks out the entire Internet; it does not filter or block specific information. You either have full Internet capability or none at all. It is a 100% hardware solution.  There is no software to install or update. Filtering software products were tested by Consumer Reports. Most of the products they tested failed to block 1 in 5 objectionable sites. (Consumer Reports, "Digital chaperones for kids", March 2001). Their conclusion was "Filtering software is no substitute for parental supervision."

Q: My kid is a computer wiz - will he be able to hack his way in and disable the program?
A: No. There is no software for your child to hack into because this NetProtector^® is a 100% hardware solution.

Multiple Computer Use

Q: Can NetProtector^® be used when a router is connected between the computer and Internet?
A: Yes.  NetProtector^® is plugged between the router and the Internet connection (cable modem, ADSL modem or T1).  The tamper-resistant clip is installed into the Internet connection. When NetProtector^® is locked, all computers connected to the router will have the Internet disabled..

Q: Can NetProtector^® control multiple computers at once?
A: Yes.  NetProtector^® can be plugged into a router.  Though, when NetProtector^® is locked, all computers connected to the router will have the Internet disabled. Instead of installing NetProtector^® on the router, you can install it on a single computer.  This way, you can control this computer's Internet connection without disabling all the other ones. Just be aware that children might try to use the computer that without NetProtector^® to gain access to the Internet..

Q: What are the benefits of NetProtector^® vs. the existing filtering software products on the market?
A: NetProtector^® lets you prevent unsupervised Internet access, and also helps limit the amount of time your children go online..

Filtering software has many limitations. Keywords fail to block sites that have only objectionable pictures and few or no words. There are also problems with filtering based on lists of sites to be blocked. First, these lists are incomplete. Adult material might be added to (or removed from) a site soon after the site is added to (or removed from) a list of blocked sites.