You have already taken an important step in protecting your family by using Bsafe Online’s Internet Filter. But did you know that you can go one step further by configuring the PredAlert feature to filter, monitor, and protect instant messaging users?

PredAlert is one of Bsafe Online’s newest additions in ensuring that you provide a safe experience for your family while using the Internet.PredAlert filters and monitors the most popular instant messengers including Yahoo Messenger, MSN/Windows Messenger, AOL, and ICQ.

In this day and age our children (and maybe even us) find sending/receiving emails too slow and have moved into the instant communication world of instant messaging. In as few as three or four instant messages, plans are made, pictures exchanged, and new friends found. Quick and exciting, instant messaging has transformed communication. It has also opened up new doors for hate, sexual predators, pornography and other malicious sources to enter our homes. PredAlert can be configured to block unknown contacts, send a message warning the receiver that they are being monitored, filter keywords, block profanity, and provide detailed chat logging for parental review. Extreme? NO! Take a minute to read about this thankful parent who truly understands the benefits of PredAlert

PredAlert is on by default but you must configure it according to your needs. Simply open the IM Filter settings in the Bsafe Control Center. In the User Name (Login) dropdown list, select the user you want to protect (such as Ashley_online) and select the type of messenger being utilized in the Chat Protocol (Type) dropdown list (such as Yahoo Messenger). Press Apply and then Ok.

Here is a quick summary that explains each feature available in the PredAlert:

• Keyword Filtering blocks certain keywords.
• Contact List Based Filtering applies to names that are checked in your Contact List. (If the contact is checked, chat traffic is allowed; if the contact is unchecked, chat traffic is blocked.)
• Logging/Monitoring enables the IM log. This log is separate from any built-in log for the IM application.
• Stealth IM Logging/Monitoring lets you log and review your instant messages without letting others know that IMs are being monitored.
• Incoming Monitoring Notification displays a message stating "This conversation is being monitored by Bsecure Internet Protection Services" at the beginning of a chat session.
• Block Unknown Contacts/Users will not allow any IM from users that are not in the Contact List.

We strive to protect your family through tools like PredAlert, but the ultimate protection is remaining active in your family’s Internet usage. Take time to talk with your children about the dangers of instant messaging and review the logs to provide the safest environment possible. We look forward to being part of your family’s protection!