McGruff SafeGuard - Free Spy Software for Kids Online Safety
Protecting Children Online: A Review of McGruff Safeguard
I’ve previously utilized OpenDNS for overseeing the online activities of both children and employees. Now, I want to emphasize the critical importance of ensuring your children’s safety in the digital world. I’ve also noted before that the internet offers valuable learning opportunities for children, and a computer can be a powerful tool for them.
Introducing McGruff Safeguard
Today, I will be detailing a complimentary monitoring software solution developed by the creators of the iconic McGruff crime dog from the 1980s. Do you recall this character? He was known for the memorable slogan, "Help us take a bite out of crime!"
He’s returned, and this time he’s focused on monitoring your children’s internet usage. The software can send you email alerts if your child engages in activities that trigger pre-set alarms.
These alarms can be activated by a stranger initiating contact through a social networking site. Alternatively, they could be triggered by the use of potentially harmful acronyms, such as LSD or PCP, by your child or their online acquaintances.
Setting Up an Account
The initial step involves creating a user account.
Following the creation of a “parent” account through the provided form, you can proceed with installing the free monitoring software on the computer your child uses.
Configuring Alarm Types
You will need to select the types of alerts you wish to activate. These encompass issues like bullying – both your child being targeted and them engaging in bullying behavior – exposure to explicit content, use of profanity, discussions related to alcohol and drugs, indications of loneliness or suicidal thoughts, instances of violence, and interactions with strangers.
A comprehensive list of available options is presented below:
Software Installation
The next phase involves the actual installation of the software. If you aren’t currently at the computer in question, you can choose the "No" option and receive a link via email to complete the installation remotely.
If you are present at the computer, select "yes" and continue with the process.
Proceed by clicking "OK" on the subsequent screen to initiate the installation.
The software will then assess your system’s firewall and security software for compatibility. Recommendations may be provided to address any potential conflicts. In my case, the system was fully compatible.
Select the first option and link the software to the account you created earlier.
Click "next" when prompted. This will lead you to a screen informing you that a McGruff icon will appear on your child’s computer.
You can choose to remove this icon if desired, by clicking the "why" button, which also explains the importance of discussing internet safety with your children.
Reviewing Activity Data
You can then view the number of unique websites visited on the computer. You also have the option to review a detailed history of browsed websites, even those visited before the software installation, by clicking the "show details" button.
The software offers a feature to block access to inappropriate websites. I opted to skip this step, preferring to allow my child freedom of exploration while still being able to monitor her online choices and provide guidance.
Notification Settings
The notification screen allows you to customize how you receive monitoring data. You can choose to receive email reports, view data online, or both. Instant email alerts can also be configured for potentially dangerous browsing activity.
Here’s a quick overview of my control panel and the extent of data it collects and provides access to.
Final Thoughts
What strategies do you employ to ensure the safety of your children online? Do you consistently supervise their computer use? At what age do you consider it appropriate to allow them unsupervised access to the internet?
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