Solid Oak Software was one of the first developers to enter the web filtering software market, and CYBERsitter is still one of the best web filtering solutions available. No system is foolproof, but CYBERsitter does an above average job of deflecting objectionable or potentially objectionable content.

CYBERsitter is also good at thwarting computer-savvy kids. Once you install CYBERsitter, it can be configured to be invisible to users, and can be removed only with authorization from the person who installed it.

In many households, kids are the ones with the computer smarts, but even if you barely know your way around a computer, CYBERsitter is easy to install and set up. The default settings provide immediate and strong filtering protection. If you're comfortable with computers, you can adjust CYBERsitter's settings to fit your family's needs.

Content filtering is based on a proprietary filter list, which blocks access to sites based on predetermined keywords and URLs. You can choose to block filtered sites, block filtered sites, and keep a log of attempts to access them, or simply record attempts to access filtered sites. The filters tend to err on the side of caution, but most parents prefer that to letting objectionable content slip through.

The master filter list on the CYBERsitter site is updated several times a day, seven days a week; your copy of CYBERsitter will automatically update its filter lists whenever you're connected to the Internet. You can also add your own selections to the filter list, including newsgroups, FTP sites, chat, and IRC.

In addition to filtering sites, you can also control Internet access by day and time.

Unlike some Web filtering programs, there's no option in CYBERsitter to set different access levels for different users. Adults and teens are limited to the same access as young children. Adults or other users given the password can override the filters, however, and a built-in feature will automatically reactivate the filters after a log out, so you don't have to worry about remembering to turn the filters back on.

New in this version is the ability to record all instant messaging conversations in Yahoo! Messenger and AOL Instant Messenger.

Pro: Easy to set up and use. As flawless as it gets when it comes to catching objectionable content. Doesn't require a subscription fee to update the filter lists.
Con: No Macintosh version.