K9 Web Protection

K9 Web Protection is content-control software created by Blue Coat Systems.

Windows/Mac versions

This section describes the Windows and macOS versions of the software.

The software operates without downloading a database to the PC and instead looks to an Internet-based database. This means that the PC only needs a very small piece of code and the user can take advantage of the database being updated constantly. On the other hand, if the computer can't connect to this database for any reason (such as a firewall blocking the connection), all web access will be disabled.

K9 Web Protection is proprietary software which is free for home use. It is possible to have multiple licenses, and every computer needs a separate license. Its primary purpose is for parental control, but it is possible to use it for protection of their computer against computer viruses or malware, or for self-blocking of pornography (with an accountability partner).

Strengths

The software is very difficult to disable or remove without an administrator password. The uninstaller requires the administrator password to run, and if the service or process is stopped all web access is disabled. Similarly, attempts to modify the program from the windows registry or file system will also lead to all web access being disabled.

Sadly, in Windows 7, in example, it is very easy to disable this software. You only have to go to the Devices Manager. Once there, you have to show the "hidden devices" (View menu); then, in the group of "non PnP drivers", locate the "bckd" driver and enter to its properties; in the Driver tab, select the "Disabled" start type. Reboot now. In the next system run, the driver will be disabled and K9 will not work, but you still will be able to use the web. If you enable the "bckd" driver again and then reboot, the K9 will be working normally again.

This is a temporary workaround that you can use if you are having troubles with K9 killing (10053 error - "Software caused connection abort") web connections of some tools (VLC media player, in example). This bug, it appears it's happening only when installing K9 in a 64 bit platform.

Reception

Ken Cooper from Family WebWatch praised its ease of use and clean interface. Cooper also praised K9 for not bogging down system performance because it uses an Internet-based database.^[2]

On the other hand, Neil J. Rubenking, lead analyst for security for PC Magazine criticized the filter's inability to create custom filtering for individual family members, while praising the fact that he could not find a way for children to disable the filter without also disabling access to the internet.^[3]

Cnet gave it a 4 (out of 5) star rating, and ranks it #8 in Parental Control. Cnet criticizes "the lack of a chatware filter" which "leaves some holes for predation".^[4]

Mobile versions

K9 provides its Web Protection Browser for iOS and Android. On iOS, one can protect an iPhone or iPad by installing the app and disabling Safari browser via Settings > Restrictions.

See also

• Cyclope-Series
• List of parental control software

References

External links

• Official website