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Parentsaround (Mobile)
- Company
- ARS Nova Systems
- Version
- Devices supported
- Mobile
- Operating system
- Android
iOS - Price *
- 29.00 €
- Language of interface
- english, french
- Test date
- SIP Bench III, 4th test cycle, Summer 2016
EFFECTIVENESS
Effectiveness score for users up to 12 year old: 1.6 out of 4 points
Effectiveness score for users 13 years and older: 1.6 out of 4 points
Effectiveness score for users 13 years and older: 1.6 out of 4 points
USABILITY
Installation of the tool: n/a
Configuration of the tool: The basic configuration, such as creating profiles, blocking specific apps and enabling Safe Search can be done directly in the app. For further configuration, a second monitoring app or access via web browser is needed. The process is mostly comprehensible, but context-sensitive information is insufficient. The general principles of use are similar to many other apps.
Usage of the tool: The tool provides an alert message, which provides the possibility to ask for unblocking and to use a google-based Safe Search. There is a detailed reporting function.
Usability of the installation process: n/a
Usability of the configuration process: 3.0
Usability of the usage of the product: 2.1
Overall score for usability: 2.7 out of 4 points
FUNCTIONALITY
The tool is easy to use and the manual on the webpage is very detailed and offers additional information. The FAQs are also very helpful.
The filtering tool offers a remote control access to the configuration and to the reporting. The software generally fulfils users’ expectations, but could be optimised at some points. The tool allows the parents to create URL black or white lists and to filter via categories. Parents can also set up time limits for internet usage.
SECURITY
Access to harmful content throught Google Translate.
Does not filters pages inside an iframe.
Overall score for security: 1 out of 4 points
DETAILED FUNCTIONALITY
| Area of need | Functionality | Specific issues | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management | Management of User profiles | Create several profiles | Yes |
| Remote Management | Manage on various devices | Yes | |
| Monitoring | Remote access to monitoring | Yes | |
| Filtering Customisation | Topics | Customisation of Filtering Topics | No |
| URLs White List | Restrict Browsing to White List | No | |
| Default White List | No | ||
| Modification OR Creation | No | ||
| 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 | No | ||
| Creation of a User's White List | No | ||
| Time | Time Limit Settings | Set a specific time frame or web access duration | Yes |
| Blocking Message | Type | Ask for unblocking by parents | Yes |
| Redirect to safe resources | Yes | ||
| Usage Restriction | Web | Block Access | Yes |
| Monitor Access | Yes | ||
| Safe search | Availability | Yes | |
| 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 | Yes | |
| Block video chat | Yes | ||
| 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 | Yes |
DETAILED USABILITY FINDINGS
| Yes / No | |
|---|---|
| I: installation in 3 steps or less | Yes |
| I: choice of installation for beginners or advanced users | n/a |
| C: different degrees of strength for the filtering | No |
| C: different content criteria for the filtering | No |
| C: option to transfer filter configurations between target users | Yes |
| C: option to transfer filter configurations between devices | Yes |
| C: overall comprehensible configuration | Yes |
| C: overall conformity with user expectations | Yes |
| C: overall easy to learn | Yes |
| U: alert message in a child friendly language | No |
| U: option to customise the reaction in case of blocking | No |
| U: overall easily operable and comprehensible reporting | Yes |
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* | Yes |
| Closing the filtering tool trough the Task Manager | No |
| Using a proxy instead of a direct connection to the Internet | Yes |
| Accessing the web-pages through the Google Cache | Yes |
| Reaching a website through translation sites | No |
| Renaming a blocked application | Yes |
| Using Safe Mode | Yes |
| Filtering Content personalised by user | n/a |
| Filtering Content evolving through time | n/a |
| Filtering Multimedia content | n/a |
| Filtering outbound content | n/a |
