McAfee Parental Controls 1.0 (MPC) is easy to set up and navigate, and it provides powerful protection for online kids. We like its tracking of visited sites, violations, and trigger categories or words. MPC is also available as part of McAfee Internet Security 5.0 ($79.99 direct), which includes antivirus, firewall, and privacy features.

With McAfee's Instant Updater parents can quickly get the latest blocked-site lists, then customize both block and allow lists for words and URLs. For unlisted sites, MPC detects inappropriate content via a word filter.

The program supports an unlimited number of users and, like CyberPatrol, can block applications so parents can protect QuickBooks records, for example. Parents can also specify personal information, such as phone numbers, that MPC will prevent kids from sending out.

MPC can filter Web, chat, or newsgroup access. Although it can filter Web-based e-mail and block inappropriate messages, it disappointingly doesn't filter POP e-mail, though you can disallow this type of mail. Newsgroups can be blocked, allowed, or restricted to a custom list.