In reality, the majority of the nastiness online is buried deeper than it used to be. But if you have kids and they have access to the Net, it's still a good idea to take some precautionary steps, and one of the most important is using blocking software such as Net Nanny. Version 4.0 of this program offers an easier interface than previous versions, and, as with previous iterations, it lets users view and edit its questionable sites list. Net Nanny keeps tabs on what comes into your system from the at-large Web, filtering out pornographic sites and images as well as questionable words in chatrooms and newsgroups, hate literature, and even bomb recipes. It consistently outperforms its competitors with a web-filtering program which combines cutting-edge technology with non-technical settings and reports, perfect for informed proactive parents who may not be computer or Internet savvy. For those of you who would prefer to personalise the settings more, there are plenty of options for customisation. Net Nanny sometimes blocks out the good with the bad, such as artistic sites--it's a flexible program that lets an administrator create unique sets of online user rules with an easy-to-use interface. If you're struggling with how to limit your child's Internet access, Net Nanny could provide a helping hand. It's much more powerful than the parental controls included in the popular security suites, and it's flexible enough that you can customize the restrictions to suit both you and your child. Net Nanny assigns one or more of 31 different categories to every Web site. Its configuration page sensibly defaults to displaying just 11 significant ones, like Gambling, Hate/Violence, and Pornography. Opening up the full list lets you control access to categories like E-mail, Shopping, Personals, and Sports. amt-546-7