Keep your kids safe online with this powerful tool
Bitdefender Parental Control is a standalone tool which allows you to track and take charge of what your kids are doing online.
You can set up the program to filter inappropriate web content, for instance. Internet access can be restricted to the times you define. You're able to block instant messages by anyone other than an allowed list of contacts; you can prevent them using particular applications; and it's even possible to stop them receiving phone calls or text messages from certain phone numbers (on phones using Android 2.3 or later, anyway).
If that seems a little too drastic then you could just use the program to monitor your child's activity. Bitdefender Parental Control allows you to see everything that's happening on their Facebook account, for instance (messages, wall posts, tags, privacy settings, friends, privacy settings and more). The program can also monitor the websites they visit, and what they search for online. The Android app will give you access to their location, calls, messages, settings and more, and all of this is visible from web interface, so you can check up on them wherever you are.
To get all this to work you'll have to set up a Bitdefender account, if you don't have one already. It's free, though, and you can do this from within Bitdefender Parental Control itself.
Another point you might notice during installation is that you're asked if you want to install the Free or Premium version. This is a beta, so you can leave the Premium version selected: you won't be asked for any payment.
And if you're using a Bitdefender product already, please note that the company say Parental Control only works with Bitdefender Antivirus 2012, and that you should uninstall other products before installing the Parental Control Agent. See the Bitdefender website for more on that and other beta issues.
Final Verdict: Bitdefender Parental Control seems an excellent tool, packed with features and easy to use. It needs iOS support, of course, but that will presumably come later.
Free, for personal-use only
Protect your privacy by clearing program and Windows' logs
Freeware
Protect yourself from dangerous and untrustworthy web sites with this free browser plug-in
Freeware
Protect yourself from dangerous and untrustworthy websites and weblinks with this free add-on
Freeware
Keep your PC spyware-free with this versatile malware hunter
Freeware
A free cloud-based malware detector
Freeware
Prevent Flash, JavaScript and other plugins from running on the sites you visit.
Trial Software
Protect your PC from just about every possible danger, both online and off, with this comprehensive security suite
Trial Software
An effective antivirus tool with strong browsing protection features
Trial Software
A solid mid-range security suite which will keep your system safe from most potential threats
Trial Software
An internet security tool specifically designed for Windows 8