Filter Updates
The Internet is quite mutable and sites, ephemeral. The list of blocked websites must be updated regularly as new ones go up. All of the companies whose products we tested provide such updates. CyberPatrol, CyberSitter, and SurfWatch include a specified period of free updates, after which time a subscription must be purchased. NetNanny offers free unlimited updates.

Update Frequency
The more frequently blocked-site lists are updated, the lower the chance that a child may be allowed to a newly put-up site. CYBERsitter and SurfWatch update the lists daily for maximum protection. CyberPatrol offers quick updates daily and full updates weekly. NetNanny updates about twice a month.

Ease of Update
All programs except for NetNanny allow the parent or administrator to update the filters with a single button. The programs automatically connect to their sites, download the newest filters, and install them. NetNanny's process is more complicated. It requires the user to go to the site via the World Wide Web, to download the files manually, to copy them to the NetNanny directory, and then to manually install the filters. Some users may find this a small price to pay for free updates. Others may gladly pay the monthly subscription fees for a simple filter-downloading process and more up-to-date lists.

You should note that these reviews are of currently available products. Net Nanny's new product, not yet available, is reviewed in the upcoming book, The Parent's Guide to Protecting Children in Cyberspace (to be released in January, 2000by McGraw-Hill).