The CA Internet Security Suite 2007 is a multi-function package that includes web filtering tools in its bag of tricks. It's not as effective or comprehensive as dedicated web filtering software, but it's a budget-friendly choice that offers basic protection on several fronts.

The main program interface is clean and easy to navigate, although if you're new to using these kinds of tools, particularly a personal firewall, the choices can be a little intimidating. The web filtering tools are actually provided by a separately installed, third-party program called Blue Coat K9 Web Protection, which uses a browser interface. K9 Web Protection is also available free for downloading from the developer's web site for home use.

K9 Web Protection allows you to block web sites by category and protection level. The default protection level blocks the categories that parents most often choose to block, but allows sites that haven't been rated yet to slip through. The highest protection level blocks unrated sites as well as the most commonly blocked categories. The lowest protection level allows everything, but also logs everything, so you can see what your kids are up to. A custom protection level lets you choose the categories to block, including web-based email and online multiplayer games.

The Web Site Exceptions feature lets you specify sites to always block (effective, but time consuming to set up), or sites to always allow. You can also block specific keywords in URLs, and set restrictions that allow web access only during certain time periods. Last but not least, you can view a summary or detail of all web-related activity, including downloads and search engines. The various setup categories are easy to navigate, and help and explanations of terms and categories are just a click away.

The CA Internet Security Suite 2007 combines web filtering tools, anti-virus tools, anti-spyware tools, and a personal firewall into an affordable, if not particularly impressive, package.


Pros: Easy to use, combines several Internet protection utilities in a single package
Cons: Difficult to uninstall, web filtering tools aren't as comprehensive as dedicated web filtering software programs, other tools are only moderately effective, doesn't allow you to configure settings for individual family members