Print versionCompare internet content filters
The Australian Government has undertaken a detailed assessment process to provide Australian households with access to the best available filters through the National Filter Scheme.
All internet content filters available through scheme must:
- Block prohibited internet content in websites and web pages (as classified by the Australian Communications and Media Authority)
- Be easy to install and use
- Have technical support provided by the filter software supplier by:
- Phone on 1800 880 176 (8am-10pm in your local time zone, for callers in Australia only. Free call for landline calls, usual charges apply to mobiles and payphones.)
- Email anytime which will be responded to within 24 hours
- Questions & Answers on the supplier’s website
PLEASE NOTE: Internet content filters are a tool to be used in conjunction with parental supervision – they do not provide total protection in themselves.
Available internet content filters
Filterpak v7.7
Filterpak allows you to create individual profiles for your family members, such as limiting chat rooms, search engines and instant messaging for younger people while allowing access for older siblings.
It can protect your family immediately with its standard settings, or you can tailor it with the ability to modify each profile using any of 23 different filtering categories. It also includes the facility to immediately override the filter using the Administrator password.
Each copy of the Filterpak filter will install on up to three PCs, with five profiles shared across the PCs, allowing families to use any PC and still be protected by the specific user’s profile.
Integard v1.04
Integard is an internet content filter that blocks inappropriate content, monitors chat and supports multiple user profiles. It provides state-of-the-art blocking accuracy through dynamic page analysis and a continuously updated database of known websites.
It has configurable sensitivity, time and data limits, user-defined allowed and blocked lists and protects personal information such as family names, home address and phone numbers.
Integard blocks peer-to-peer file-sharing programs, and supports remote administration using a browser. The software also provides email alerts when suspicious or inappropriate content is detected including possible internet predators. View detailed and summary reports via a web browser from the next room, or across town at your office.
Optenet Web Filter PC 9.6
Optenet allows you to create individual profiles and set personal lists that allow or block access to specific sites. It uses Intelligent Content Analysis to filter accurately and adapts itself to the dynamic nature of the Internet.
Its online unblocking system will take care of any over-filtering error within ten short minutes and the reporting function will make supervision of internet activity a breeze.
Optenet comes with a default configuration but can be easily and intuitively personalised.
Safe Eyes (available for PC and Apple Mac)
Safe Eyes makes it easy to block or monitor access to objectionable online material. You can set profiles for multiple users within a household, view usage reports by user and receive instant alerts when access to inappropriate content is attempted.
With daily updates to its filtering, your parental controls are always up-to-date. Safe Eyes stores all of its settings on secure servers so your children can be protected regardless of which computer they use in your house.
Safe eyes comes with default settings, but can be individually customised by the user. It is available for PC and Mac.
Comparison table of internet content filters
| Operating System | Filterpak v7.7 | Integard v1.04 | Optenet Web Filter | Safe Eyes (PC version) | Safe Eyes (Mac version) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 98 |  |
(SE only) |
|
 |
|
| Windows Pro 2000 | |
|
|
|
|
| Windows XP | |
|
|
|
|
| Windows Vista Home Premium | |
|
|
|
|
| Apple Mac OS 10.4 (or later) | |
|
|
|
|
| Browser | Filterpak v7.7 | Integard v1.04 | Optenet Web Filter | Safe Eyes (PC version) | Safe Eyes (Mac version) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internet Explorer 6 | |
|
|
|
|
| Internet Explorer 7 | |
|
|
|
|
| Netscape Navigator 9 | |
|
|
|
|
| Safari 3 | |
|
|
|
|
| Firefox 2 | |
|
|
|
|
| Opera 9 | |
|
|
|
|
| Filtering | Filterpak v7.7 | Integard v1.04 | Optenet Web Filter | Safe Eyes (PC version) | Safe Eyes (Mac version) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blocks additional Internet sites as selected for specific user | |
|
|
|
|
| Blocks all Internet sites other than those selected for specific user (ie "White list") | |
|
|
|
|
| Blocks Internet chatrooms | |
|
|
|
|
| Blocks Internet games | |
|
|
|
|
| Blocks Internet newsgroups | |
|
|
|
|
| Blocks sending of personal information (eg name, address) | |
|
|
|
|
| Blocks access at pre-determined times/after number of hours | |
|
|
|
|
| Monitors chatroom usage | |
|
|
|
|
| Logs and/or notifies attempted access to disallowed websites | |
|
|
|
|
| Allows remote shut-down by nominated administrator | |
|
|
|
|
| Management | Filterpak v7.7 | Integard v1.04 | Optenet Web Filter | Safe Eyes (PC version) | Safe Eyes (Mac version) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allows different settings (profiles) to be set and saved for different users | |
|
|
|
|
| Updates prohibited sites automatically | |
|
|
|
|
| Provides easy-to-access online help text | |
|
|
|
|
| Reporting | Filterpak v7.7 | Integard v1.04 | Optenet Web Filter | Safe Eyes (PC version) | Safe Eyes (Mac version) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reports on Internet usage by different users | |
|
|
|
|
| Reports on other online activity by different users | |
|
|
|
|
Download internet content filter
Order internet content filter