CNET Editors' review
For a free Internet filter, K9 Web Blocker does its job well, providing a broad collection of options for customizing your remote Web supervision needs.
To run the program, you must register on the Web site to get the free activation code. The control panel is accessible only through the Internet. Uninstalling requires removing the app from the Task Manager, then using its password to delete it from the Windows Control Panel, and finally, rebooting. Because the password gets sent to the e-mail account of the person who registered the program, it's possible that an enterprising user could disable K9 on a shared computer.
Despite those drawbacks, K9 comes with a handful or so of predesigned filters and an option to customize. With more than 50 categories for organizing Web sites, and the keyword-free proprietary K9 rating system, the Web monitoring and blocking aspects of the software functioned well. K9 also has categories for blocking sites that have been detected as potential malware threats. Equally impressive, and a little bit scary, was the log that detailed not just blocked Web sites but also every Web site visited.
K9 Web Blocker is a good, free program for those who are concerned solely with Web surfing, but the lack of a chatware filter leaves some holes for predation.
Publisher's Description
From Blue Coat Systems:
K9 Web Protection is easy-to-use Parental Control and Internet filtering software that helps parents protect their children online. K9 Web Protection has the ability to block adult, porn and other offensive content, prevent spyware infections, and monitor visited sites on any Internet access connection (AOL, MSN, Yahoo, Earthlink). Based on commercial-grade Web filtering controls from Blue Coat Systems, K9 Web Protection is unique among content filters and it is free for home use. K9 can be configured as a porn blocker, a spyware stopper, a gambling filter or various other configurations based on our over 55 Web categories.
Version 3.2.36 includes the social networking category, Windows Vista compatibility, and improved administration tools.
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All versions:
4.1 starsout of 279 votes
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Current version:
3.9 starsout of 117 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Too easily bypassed and a beacon of taking your rights."
Version: K9 Web Protection 3.2.36
Pros
None, a horrible program that is bent on controlling and opressing somone. Does not effectivly block somone from people that want to get to vulgar sites.
Cons
Easily bypassed, with little to no skill needed. Too many ways to easily bypass.
Summary
There are no pros to people that unfairly oppress their kids or fellow workers, by limiting their internet. People have better things to do than to watch imature or vulgur content. By using this program you are supporting dictators throughout the country and you are denying people rights.
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"Best Filter Ever"
Version: K9 Web Protection 3.2.36
Pros
I tried a annual-fee family web filter and found out the hard way that it would/could not block inappropriate sites. Frustrated, I found K9 and it is wonderful! True, it sometimes blocks my social networking activities, but stringent is better!
Cons
I have not experienced anything I would consider a con.
Summary
Excellent product! Works better than the pay versions and it's Free!
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"It's great but missing a few features."
Version: K9 Web Protection 3.2.36
Pros
Database is up to date and blocks even some Chinese sites!
Cons
Would be great if the database can be downloaded to your PC because every address you go to has to go through their server first. Even if set on "Monitor Only", it still has to access the K9 servers.
Summary
I had to remove it due to the fact that I do not have great internet connection and when I do image searches in Google, the images would come out really slow because it has to check every single site before displaying any pictures. I set it to Monitor Only but it still does it. As soon as I uninstalled it, the pictures would come out instantly.
If the block list can be download locally to my PC, it would not have to contact the K9 servers on every single web address I go to and would make the filtering A LOT faster on slower connections. Think of it like virus definition updates. -
"BOSD error i wish this program would work on my system"
Version: K9 Web Protection 3.2.36
Pros
very good program
Cons
the driver chrashed my computer after about a mounth of using it (blue screen of death)
Summary
it probably wont crash your computer but i just wanted to put this info out there
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"Lockups abound."
Version: K9 Web Protection 3.2.36
Pros
It does the job quite well catching and filtering all web traffic per the specifications I provide in the settings. About as good as you can get for this type of application.
Cons
Caused lockups on 3 computers. I never noticed it on the PCs that I shut down regularly. But on three computers that I leave running at all times I was force to hard reset every 2-3 days after installing this. Problem disappeared when uninstalled.
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"Great way to minimize temptation on the web for adults!"
Version: K9 Web Protection 3.2.36
Pros
Good for adults as well as children.
Not tied to computer's administrative password.
Very easy to set up.
Various levels of configuration.
Mac and PC compatible.Cons
Is not customizable for various accounts on a computer - but not that big a deal.
Summary
K9 really helps me to minimize temptations on the web. I let my wife set the password which is thankfully not tied to the administrative password on our computer so I can still control the admin function of our computer. I find it very freeing not to have to worry about being tempted by internet pornography when no one else is looking. Great product.
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"Wonderful product for any parent."
Version: K9 Web Protection 3.2.36
Pros
I love the fact that you can customize the times even by day of the week that your child is allowed to access the internet. I also like that when your child tries to gain unscheduled access or get around the codes, that the program emails you.
Cons
I really have no complaints about the software, it is an excellent program.
Summary
Absolutely superb product for any parent who wants control over what their child does online, but doesn't want to hover over their shoulder the whole time. I love this software and the fact that it is free is really surprising.
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"This program is a major resource hog"
Version: K9 Web Protection 3.2.36
Pros
I couldn't find any
Cons
made my system very slow to boot up, nearly impossible to remove once installed
Summary
After installation, the program requires a system reboot. My computer took 10 minutes to boot into windows and my hard drive was growling like an upset pitbull the whole time. It took forever to launch any programs afterward. Shutdown was also agonizingly slow. I never did get the chance to launch the program to test/tweak it. I booted into safe mode to speed up the boot process so I could uninstall it. It took three attempts at entering the admin password I had created during installation before the uninstaller accepted it.
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"Highly recommended, dont look past this free download."
Version: K9 Web Protection 3.2.36
Pros
1. Free
2. Easy to install. ( less then 5 mins)
3. Easy to use - setup.
4. First class application.Cons
None that i have found.
Summary
Try it you wont be disappointed.
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"Never got my code and send an another to the same email"
Version: K9 Web Protection 3.2.36
Pros
not being used
Cons
not being used
Summary
if you're going to use a code send it or try sending it again!!!!!!
I'm very unhappy
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