ProCon Latte

CNET Editors' review

by: CNET Staff on February 27, 2009

While all Web filters fall short of perfection in one way or another, at least this Firefox add-on puts control in the user's hands. ProCon Latte's multitab settings interface clearly labels all options. Even novice users should be able to implement this tool without needing instruction. Installation is easily accomplished using the usual Firefox add-on dialog. We didn't find that the program slowed Firefox or caused a huge memory grab.

The app uses three methods to filter Web browsing. The Main Filter blocks complete Web sites based on a pair of blocked word lists. One blocks sites based on words contained in the site title, meta tags, or body. The other looks only at the site URL. Both are simple text lists and the program offers simple functions to export and import word lists. You can grab a pulldown to force the filter to use one or both of the lists. The second filter method uses another easily manipulated list to allow, or white-list, select sites. To add a site to the approved list you just need to click a button on the white list dialog. The final method replaces any word found in the program's list of profane words. Again, adding words is quickly accomplished in the dialog, and users can choose what to display instead of the found profane words.

Helpful options include password access to the dialog and other easily set security options. During testing, ProCon Latte missed some profane sites, but the problem was always quickly remedied by adding to the proper filter. This freeware filter should appeal to parents and select system administrators of public computers.