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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

*Prices might change according to the latest company offers

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.
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 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


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 needFunctionalitySpecific issuesAssessment
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
Email Block email client and/or webmail access No

DETAILED USABILITY FINDINGS


Yes / No
I: installation in 3 steps or lessNo
I: choice of installation for beginners or advanced usersNo

C: different degrees of strength for the filteringYes
C: different content criteria for the filteringYes
C: option to transfer filter configurations between target usersn/a
C: option to transfer filter configurations between devicesYes
C: overall comprehensible configurationNo
C: overall conformity with user expectationsYes
C: overall easy to learnNo

U: alert message in a child friendly languageNo
U: option to customise the reaction in case of blockingYes
U: overall easily operable and comprehensible reportingNo

DETAILED SECURITY FINDINGS

The Tool prevents the user from by-passing the filter by:Yes / No
Using the IP address instead of the URLYes
Using an alternative browserYes
Changing time and date settings*Yes
Disabling or uninstalling the software without a password*No
Closing the filtering tool trough the Task Managern/a
Using a proxy instead of a direct connection to the InternetNo
Accessing the web-pages through the Google CacheNo
Reaching a website through translation sitesNo
Renaming a blocked applicationn/a
Using Safe Moden/a
Filtering Content personalised by userNo
Filtering Content evolving through timeNo
Filtering Multimedia contentNo
Filtering outbound contentNo


Funded by
Logo: EUEuropean Commission


Partners:
Cybion Online Business Intelligence

Stiftung Digitale Chancen

coordinated by:
Innova - Technology Transfer and Valorisation



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