MyCrimeSpace

PC Pandora review

by Trench on December 20th, 2006

Full Disclosure: The following is an unpaid review.

Yesterday I received an e-mail from the fine folks who make PC Pandora. PC Pandora is software that you install on your computer that allows you to monitor what your kids are doing on the computer. They sent me a free copy and asked me to take it for a spin. Let me say that I was very impressed with it. I’m not a professional reviewer so let me break down the pros and cons.

Pros:

• Tons of Features. It monitors or blocks web, email, chats, IM’’s, P2P, and every program on your computer. I tested these features with most popular options and some not so popular and it handled every one like a champ.
• Stealth mode or in plain sight. It can be entirely invisible to any user or you can use it in the open to discourage kids from visiting inappropriate websites or having inappropriate conversations.
• Clean. There’s no spyware or any malware attached to it as far as I could tell.

Cons:

• Pre-set filters not the best. I turned on the features to block adult, gambling, and gun websites and I was able to get to all of them with no problem.
• Some confusion. Trying to add a website to the blacklist was a little confusing at first. Remember, I’m a man and I don’t read instructions or ask for directions. However, I was able to figure it out eventually.
• Shady. Even though it was created with altruistic intentions it could be used by less than scrupulous people. It records keystrokes so if someone was to install it on someone else’s computer without their knowledge they could gain access to all sorts of passwords and personal information.

Final Rating:

If you are just using this to keep your kids safe then by all means I fully recommend PC Pandora. I give it a rating of 4 1/2 Fedoras out of 5.

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POSTED IN: Security