14 DAY TRIAL // Everything you have always wanted to know about is at the reach of your fingertips. The Internet is undoubtedly one of man's best inventions, but it also makes plenty of room for error, as some information should remain inaccessible to susceptible PC users.
Thanks to modern software applications capable of blocking mature content based on controllable filters, parents should feel a little safer when allowing their kids to use the computer unsupervised. Anti-Porn is such an example. It comes packed with a list of predefined adult websites to block by default, while letting users ban the ones of their choice. This easy-to-understand utility features image recognition, chat, game and Internet restrictions, PC time control, and more.
NOTE: Anti-Porn was tested on an Intel Core i5-3470 with CPU @3.20GHz and 12GB RAM, running Windows 8.1 Pro.
License type, installation, interface
The trial version can tested for a short period of time, only 7 days. However, all the program's features are unlocked. Upon its expiration, users may purchase the entire Anti-Porn package for $29.97 / €24.10 (excluding VAT), price which covers a lifetime license and applies to all future software updates.
The setup operation is fast and easy to configure. At the end, it is necessary to set an administrator password that will be used to configure, turn off and uninstall the tool.
The main window looks slightly unusual, yet it is appealing and easy to work with. A circular frame contains buttons for toggling the parental mode, viewing URL logs, taking screenshots, and making the app configuration, among others.
Filtering options
Depending on the sensitivity level set, the application evaluates websites to find out whether they are safe for viewing or not. It has a default level that proved to be the best option for most users (according to the developer), and it is possible to lower, raise or deactivate it.
Additional filter options may be specified when it comes to the language, as the software utility can be set to automatically block all websites with questionable content in English, French, Chinese, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, German, Korean and Japanese. Parents who want to be thorough may also enter their own keywords to be acknowledged by the tool when filtering text content.
Image recognition, chat restriction
Similar to the sensitivity level for the text content previously mentioned, Anti-Porn features a tool that analyzes all images before displaying them on the screen, in order to weed out those designed for adult viewing. Its sensitivity level may be adjusted or restored to default. However, it may also be disabled if it becomes demanding regarding system resources.
Game restriction, snapshots and log settings
Apart from questionable websites and images, Anti-Porn is capable of restricting access to video games, which particularly comes in handy if they are deemed as inappropriate for children (e.g. too violent), or simply when parents want to shift their children's attention to more important matters, such as studying for school. Just like with the chat restriction feature, it is possible to either create a list of banned video games or create a schedule instead, with specific times and week days for playtime. The game restriction may be lifted at any time.
The lists with screen logs and visited URLs may be accessed from the main window to examine information. All visited websites or just the restricted ones can be exported to file to study the date and time of access, content type and keywords.
Time control, eye protection
Instead of restricting access to specific websites, chat services and video games, there is the possibility to cut off access to the PC altogether. Basically, parents may specify the exact number of hours and minutes for every day of the week when their kids may use the computer, as well as set the machine to automatically power off upon time expiration. Otherwise, it is possible to permit Internet access only during specific hours for each week day.
General settings
The master password initially set at software installation may be changed into something else. Anti-Porn can be turned invisible by hiding warning messages, shortcuts and the tray icon, and later brought up for settings customization via a user-defined global hotkey. Last but not least, it can be uninstalled from the configuration panel (password required).
The Good
It supports all Windows editions from 2000 to 8/8.1 and both 32-bit/64-bit architecture types. The configuration settings are intuitive enough to be tinkered with even by less experienced PC users. Plus, brief descriptions for each option can be found all over the interface.
Anti-Porn's visibility may be reduced to prevent users from attempting to guess the master password. The key must be set right at installation to configure, turn off and uninstall the app.
The Bad
Although it has a built-in list with banned adult websites, it is not possible to view them.
Some important instant messaging applications are not supported, such as Trillian and Pidgin.
The chat, game and Internet time schedule looks a bit rudimentary. There is no schedule with a fixed start and end time implemented for the automatic PC shutdown feature.
The help manual has not been updated, so it does not correspond with Anti-Porn's current edition.
