Dans Guardian
- Company
- Dans Guardian
- Version
- 2.10.1.1
- Devices supported
- Computer
- Operating system
- Linux
- Price *
- free of charge
- Language of interface
- english
- Test date
- SIP Bench III, 2nd test cycle, Winter 13/14
EFFECTIVENESS
The overall effectiveness score is weak on adult content and very weak on other harmful content.
There is no major difference in effectiveness between teenagers and children.
There is no major difference in effectiveness between web and web 2.0.
There is no major difference in effectiveness among the different languages.
There is no major difference in effectiveness between teenagers and children.
There is no major difference in effectiveness between web and web 2.0.
There is no major difference in effectiveness among the different languages.
Effectiveness score with adult content filtering for users up to 12 year old: 1.4
Effectiveness score with other harmful content filtering for users up to 12 year old: 0.0
Effectiveness score with adult content filtering for users 13 years and older: 1.8
Effectiveness score with other harmful content filtering for users 13 years and older: 0.0
Effectiveness score with other harmful content filtering for users up to 12 year old: 0.0
Effectiveness score with adult content filtering for users 13 years and older: 1.8
Effectiveness score with other harmful content filtering for users 13 years and older: 0.0
Effectiveness score for users up to 12 year old: 0.7 out of 4 points
Effectiveness score for users 13 years and older: 0.9 out of 4 points
Effectiveness score for users 13 years and older: 0.9 out of 4 points
USABILITY
Installation of the tool: The installation process can only made with help by a manual, if the user has no advanced Linux IT skills. The descriptions are generally comprehensible. It may differ in some points depends on which free published manual you use.
Configuration of the tool: The configuration offers to block unwanted websites, to create black/white lists and internet access can be blocked depending on content. To customize these settings requires IT knowledge.
Usage of the tool: The software generally fulfills user’s expectations. The alert message is appropriate for adults but can be customized. By default setting dialogue between children and parents is not supported.
Usability of the installation process: 1.6
Usability of the configuration process: 2.3
Usability of the usage of the product: 1.9
Overall score for usability: 2.1 out of 4 points
FUNCTIONALITY
Dans Guardian is an open source software that runs on LINUX OS. For filtering the actual content of pages and its assessment, it uses a proxy, e.g. Squid and the Dansguardian Content Filter. The configuration offers to block unwanted websites and to create black/white lists. Advanced IT skills are helpful to install and configure this software.
SECURITY
The low rate results from the possibility for the user to uninstall the tool without a password.
Overall score for security: 0 out of 4 points
DETAILED FUNCTIONALITY
Area of need | Functionality | Specific issues | Assessment |
---|---|---|---|
Management | Management of User profiles | Create several profiles | No |
Remote Management | Manage on various devices | No | |
Monitoring | Remote access to monitoring | No | |
Filtering Customisation | Topics | Customisation of Filtering Topics | No |
URLs White List | Restrict Browsing to White List | No | |
Default White List | No | ||
Modification OR Creation | Yes | ||
URLs Black List | Creation of User's own Black List | Yes | |
Keywords | Keywords | Default Black List | No |
Default White List | No | ||
Creation of a User's Black List | Yes | ||
Creation of a User's White List | No | ||
Time | Time Limit Settings | Set a specific time frame or web access duration | No |
Blocking Message | Type | Ask for unblocking by parents | No |
Redirect to safe resources | No | ||
Usage Restriction | Web | Block Access | Yes |
Monitor Access | Yes | ||
Safe search | Availability | No | |
Social Networks | Block Access | No | |
Monitor Usage | No | ||
Personal data Provision | Block | No | |
Streaming | Block Access | No | |
Monitor Access | No | ||
P2P | Block the application | No | |
Monitor Downloads | No | ||
Skype | Block chat | No | |
Block video chat | No | ||
Monitor | No | ||
Prevent new Contact | No | ||
Windows Life Messenger | Block chat | No | |
Block video chat | No | ||
Monitor | No | ||
Prevent new Contact | No | ||
Block email client and/or webmail access | No |
DETAILED USABILITY FINDINGS
Yes / No | |
---|---|
I: installation in 3 steps or less | No |
I: choice of installation for beginners or advanced users | No |
C: different degrees of strength for the filtering | Yes |
C: different content criteria for the filtering | Yes |
C: option to transfer filter configurations between target users | n/a |
C: option to transfer filter configurations between devices | Yes |
C: overall comprehensible configuration | No |
C: overall conformity with user expectations | Yes |
C: overall easy to learn | No |
U: alert message in a child friendly language | No |
U: option to customise the reaction in case of blocking | Yes |
U: overall easily operable and comprehensible reporting | No |
DETAILED SECURITY FINDINGS
The Tool prevents the user from by-passing the filter by: | Yes / No |
---|---|
Using the IP address instead of the URL | Yes |
Using an alternative browser | Yes |
Changing time and date settings* | Yes |
Disabling or uninstalling the software without a password* | No |
Closing the filtering tool trough the Task Manager | n/a |
Using a proxy instead of a direct connection to the Internet | No |
Accessing the web-pages through the Google Cache | No |
Reaching a website through translation sites | No |
Renaming a blocked application | n/a |
Using Safe Mode | n/a |
Filtering Content personalised by user | No |
Filtering Content evolving through time | No |
Filtering Multimedia content | No |
Filtering outbound content | No |