Net Nanny

The original version of Net Nanny released in 1994 was a Software Application that could filter any characters typed, read, or received by the computer, along with IRC content, block images, and mask profanity.{{Cite web|url=https://www.148apps.com/news/net-nanny-watches-internet-browsing/|title=Net Nanny Watches Over Your Internet Browsing|last=Stevens|first=Andrew|date=March 1, 2013|website=148Apps|access-date=June 23, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2001/TECH/computing/01/08/net.nanny.idg/index.html|title=Net Nanny 4 monitors child's habits|last=Munro|first=Kathryn|date=January 8, 2001|website=CNN|access-date=June 23, 2019}} Modern versions allow complete remote administration of child devices through a web portal or parent applications. Some of the features offered are:

• Allow or block usage of child devices using ad-hoc controls or through a schedule
• Monitor and block Internet content in various categories{{cite web|url=http://www.netnanny.com/products/netnanny|title=Internet Safety with Net Nanny Content Filtering Software|accessdate=2009-03-20}}
• Create custom blacklists and whitelists for websites
• Track search engine usage, enforce safe search, and receive warnings for flagged words{{cite web|last1=Rossen|first1=Jeff|last2=Bomnin|first2=Lindsey|title=These 3 Apps Can Help You Monitor Your Teens' Activities Online|url=https://www.today.com/parents/these-3-apps-can-help-you-monitor-your-teens-activities-t105483|website=Today|publisher=Today.com|accessdate=6 January 2018}}
• Place daily time limits on device use
• Monitor and allow/block applications installed on devices{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}
• Track the location of mobile devices
• Apply different rules for individual children{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Web pages (including dynamic pages) are blocked by content rather than URL, even over HTTPS.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/kids-past-parental-control-software/story?id=43514662|title=How Well Can Kids Get Past Parental Control Software?|last1=Temko|first1=Sandra|website=ABC News|accessdate=6 January 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/net-nanny-free-134105172.html|title=Get Net Nanny Free for a Year|last=Rubenking|first=Neil|date=June 3, 2011|website=Yahoo News|access-date=June 23, 2019}} This prevents children from accessing blocked websites through proxies.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Net Nanny was designed, created and founded by Gordon Ross in 1994 in Vancouver and moved to Bellevue, Washington in 2000.{{Cite web|url=https://www.itworldcanada.com/article/net-nanny-heads-stateside/34442|title=Net Nanny Heads Stateside|last=Lahey|first=Liam|date=March 23, 2000|website=IT World Canada|access-date=June 23, 2019}} He became inspired to create an internet protection service for children, families and organizations, after viewing a sting operation on a pedophile soliciting a child online.{{Cite web|last=Bereznak|first=Alyssa|date=2016-08-19|title=Twitter’s New Tool Is Hardly the First Internet ‘Quality Filter’|url=https://www.theringer.com/2016/8/19/16044990/twitter-quality-filter-net-nanny-915d8edad5d2|access-date=2020-11-09|website=The Ringer|language=en}} In 1998, the company expanded its offerings beyond family protection when it launched BioPassword, a bio metric security access system based on technology it acquired from Stanford University.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/TECH/computing/9810/12/netnanny.idg/index.html|title=Net Nanny takes security beyond passwords|last=Nelson|first=Matthew|date=October 12, 1998|website=CNN|access-date=June 23, 2019}} On November 14, 2002, Net Nanny filed for bankruptcy and was sold to BioNet Systems, LLC, a maker of bio metric security software in Issaquah, Washington.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/BioNet+Systems,+LLC+Acquires+the+Assets+of+Net+Nanny+Software...-a094230439|title=BioNet Systems, LLC Acquires the Assets of Net Nanny Software International, Inc. - Free Online Library|date=November 14, 2002|website=The Free Library by Farlex|access-date=2019-01-29}} LookSmart Ltd, a commercial web search company based in San Francisco acquired Net Nanny for $5.3 million in stock and cash in April 2004.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2004/04/26/daily31.html|title=BioNet sells Net Nanny for $5.3M|date=April 29, 2004|website=American City Business Journals|access-date=2019-01-29}}

In January 2007, Net Nanny was purchased by ContentWatch Inc and moved to Salt Lake City.{{Cite web|url=https://www.netnanny.com/company/press/netnanny/|title=ContentWatch Inc. Acquires Net Nanny from LookSmart Ltd.|website=www.netnanny.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-29}} The product line was expanded to include security and business-oriented solutions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.contentwatch.com/products/contentprotect_pro/|title=Internet Filtering Software for Business|website=ContentWatch|access-date=June 23, 2019}} Mobile browsers for iOS and Android were released in June 2012 at the Consumer Electronics Show.{{Cite web|url=https://www.androidguys.com/news/net-nanny-mobile-helps-keep-kids-safe-and-parents-minds-at-ease/|title=Net Nanny mobile helps keep kids safe and parents’ minds at ease|date=January 10, 2012|website=Android Guys|access-date=June 23, 2019}} These also allowed parents to monitor and manage the applications on the phone.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tabletpcreview.com/news/net-nanny-ios-browser-to-be-joined-by-versions-for-windows-8-and-maybe-rt/|title=Net Nanny iOS Browser to be Joined by Versions for Windows 8 and Maybe RT|last=Emigh|first=Jacqueline|date=March 11, 2013|website=Tablet PC Review|access-date=June 23, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/e-fun-partners-net-nanny-165500707.html|title=E FUN Partners With Net Nanny to Provide Internet Parental Controls on Nextbook Android Tablets|date=August 8, 2012|website=Yahoo Finance|access-date=June 23, 2019}} In 2013, Net Nanny Social was launched to allow parents to monitor their children's social media activity and to protect against cyber bullying, cyber stalking, grooming by sexual predators, and the spread of sensitive images and videos.{{Cite web|url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865578885/Net-Nanny-Social-monitors-protects-kids-online-presence.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521081124/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865578885/Net-Nanny-Social-monitors-protects-kids-online-presence.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 21, 2013|title=Net Nanny Social monitors, protects kids' online presence|last=Renouard|first=Chelynne|date=April 24, 2013|website=Desert News|access-date=June 23, 2019}} Features were added to the desktop applications to help adults who wanted their internet content filtered.{{Cite web|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/net-nanny-offers-new-service-for-adults-password-account-manager-2013-07-31|title=Net Nanny Offers New Service for Adults: Password Account Manager|date=July 31, 2013|website=MarketWatch|access-date=June 23, 2019}} In May 2014, the Brooklyn Public Library chose Net Nanny to filter content and applications on its Android tablets to ensure compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act.{{Cite web|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/net-nanny-helps-brooklyn-public-library-protect-1000-android-tablets-from-inappropriate-web-content-and-apps-2014-05-08|title=Net Nanny Helps Brooklyn Public Library Protect 1,000 Android Tablets from Inappropriate Web Content and Apps|date=May 8, 2014|website=MarketWatch|access-date=June 23, 2019}}

Zift, a digital parenting company, acquired Net Nanny from ContentWatch in 2016 and moved most operations to Philadelphia. In May 2019, Zift's applications were rebranded and launched as Net Nanny 10 for all supported platforms.{{Cite web|url=https://www.netnanny.com/blog/zift-is-now-part-of-net-nanny/|title=Zift is Now Part of Net Nanny|date=May 10, 2019|website=Net Nanny|access-date=June 25, 2019}} In 2021, Net Nanny merged with SafeToNet, a British cyber-safety company headquartered in London.

Net Nanny was rated first by TopTenReviews.com in "Internet Filter Software" and fourth in "Parental Control Software" in 2017.{{cite web|last1=Shipley|first1=Renee|title=The Best Internet Filter Software|url=http://www.toptenreviews.com/software/security/best-internet-filter-software/|website=Top Ten Reviews|accessdate=18 January 2018}}{{cite web|last1=Shipley|first1=Renee|title=Best Parental Control Software|url=http://www.toptenreviews.com/software/privacy/best-parental-software/|website=Top Ten Reviews|accessdate=18 January 2018}} PCMag also posted an online review stating that "Net Nanny is fully at home in the modern, multi-device world of parental control, and it still has the best content filtering around."{{cite web|last1=Rubenking|first1=Neil|title=ContentWatch Net Nanny 7|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2467479,00.asp|website=PC|publisher=PC Magazine|accessdate=6 January 2018}}

• List of content-control software
• CYBERsitter

• [https://www.netnanny.com/ NetNanny - Official Website]

Category:Content-control software

Category:Internet safety

Category:1995 software