I just sent this to Norton but I thought I should share it here as well:
I am very disappointed with the effectiveness of Norton Family. It is not comprehensive enough.
1) In just one minute of trial and error, I found that typing "Hot Girls" in a simple Google Search (with Google's SafeSearch locked) gives inappropriate websites. And, if I click "Images" at the top of the screen it shows me dozens of inappropriate pictures. I have marked off almost every category but "Search". I can tell it is working because Youtube is blocked like it should be. But, a simple seach of two simple every day terms in Google's Search gives inappropriate results. I need a program that will limit certain terms and phrases (I.e. "Hot Girls" in quotation marks so that phrase together wouldn't be allowed.)
2) Because it wasn't working well to block adult sites, (I know because I've been testing it) I tried going in an manually entering a bunch under the block website area. It is SO tedious to do this one by one. Norton needs a way to add a list of sites to block at one click. I should be able to copy and paste a string of sites to block at one click. And, I need to be able to copy and paste my blocked list from one child to another child's blocked list.
3) "Search" feature works intermittently.
4) Delayed results (not real time).
5) Wish there was an instant override that the administrator could type in if a website should be allowed.
6) Norton also needs an easy way for users to suggest sites for a specific category to block automatically.
I am willing to pay for the right product to protect my kids. I am just not sure Norton Online Family is that product in it's current version.
Thanks for taking the time to write us. As I mentioned in your other posts earlier, some of the features you requested are on our enhancement list for future development.
I'll pass your suggestions to the management team for their consideration.
You mention throughout your posts that, “I have marked off almost every category but ‘search’” - - then you blame Norton for not being comprehensive in that area? That makes absolutely NO sense. In order for Google’s filtering of explicit images to be locked in place, you MUST have that option selected in your Norton Online Family (NOF) settings. Please see attached screenshot and enlarge view if required. By the way, I would hardly consider “Hot Girls” “every day terms”.
When I said I had marked off everything but Search. I meant in regards to categories in the WEB area (screenshot attached). I DID already have the search content filtering like you have in the screenshot selected. (It just doesn't work.)
I am trying to allow my teens to still search on their laptops which is why I hadn't selected "Search" in the Web categories to block. It just doesn't block inappropriate content. even though porn and other categories like that are selected.
I don’t see the screenshot, but I know where you are referencing. I believe that was necessary for clarification. God only knows (like Pink Floyd) what you’re really looking up because, at least in my experience, Norton Online Family or NOF is pretty darn thorough with respect to obstructing content once enforced. Although thorough, just between you and me, and I might be a relic from yesteryear, giving your children licensure to employ “search engines” is nothing but trouble. I would (and this is me) limit BOTH regions in the NOF settings (see screenshot). Because I am also a reviewer for Safe Web, I have “eyes on the ground” (so to speak) to know that a significant number of people who utilise (for example) Google images, have been hit with re-direct viruses. Moreover, you can also find extra code attached to videos that is oftentimes malware. Don’t believe me? For your own benefit, examine the Safe Browsing Diagnostic Page for google.com. That intelligence, is enough to give anyone pause. Not to mention with search engines there is limited quality control. More often than not, finding proper citation for articles dredged together by s.e.’s is nothing short of Moses parting the Red Sea. Better is, having your children research what they need through your local library’s Website using both the catalog and scholarly databases. In that instance, at least you know those have been scrupulously combed-over by librarians holding Master’s Degrees or higher and there is some modicum of quality assurance. Again, these are my thoughts - - partake of what you will.