parental controls Archives

Winsage

June 23, 2025

Microsoft is blocking Google Chrome in the name of family safety — but this time it actually makes sense

Users of Google Chrome on Windows are experiencing an issue that prevents the browser from launching, which is linked to Microsoft Family Safety. Ellet T, a Chrome Community Manager, stated that for some users, Chrome cannot run when Microsoft Family Safety is enabled. The situation has been discussed on platforms like Reddit and The Verge, where users noted that Microsoft Family Safety is designed to restrict access to third-party browsers to manage online activity for children. Microsoft's official site for Family Safety mentions that "Other commonly used browsers will be blocked for this to work." When a child account tries to access Chrome, it should prompt, "Ask your parent for permission," but the absence of this dialog box has raised concerns about the functionality of the tool.

Winsage

June 21, 2025

This Windows safety feature is crashing Google Chrome

Microsoft's Family Safety feature has caused issues for users of Google's Chrome browser, leading to crashes or failures to launch on Windows systems since June 3. Chrome support manager Ellen T confirmed that the problem is linked to Microsoft Family Safety, stating that Chrome cannot run when this feature is enabled. Other browsers, like Firefox and Opera, are unaffected. Users have found a temporary workaround by renaming the Chrome executable file or disabling the "filter inappropriate websites" setting in Family Safety, though this compromises parental controls. There has been no official communication from Microsoft regarding a fix, and a Chromium engineer noted on June 10 that no updates have been received from Microsoft about resolving the issue.

Winsage

June 21, 2025

Microsoft’s Family Safety Feature Is Blocking Chrome: Here’s the Workaround

Microsoft's Family Safety feature is inadvertently blocking access to Google's Chrome browser on Windows computers. This issue was reported on June 3, when a user experienced crashes while using Chrome despite attempts to restart and reinstall the browser. The Family Safety feature is designed to help parents manage children's screen time and monitor online activities. Workarounds include unblocking Chrome through the Family Safety app or renaming the Chrome executable file to bypass the block. Microsoft has not yet issued a statement regarding the issue.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

This Microsoft app thinks Google Chrome is NSFW (Not Safe For Windows)

Microsoft's Edge browser promotion efforts have led to issues for some Chrome users, who reported being unable to access Chrome after a crash. This problem, first noted on June 3 by a Reddit user, may be linked to Windows 11's Family Safety feature, which is intended to protect younger users. Chrome support manager Ellen T confirmed that for some users, Chrome cannot run when Microsoft Family Safety is enabled. Microsoft has suggested that parents and IT administrators can disable the "Filter inappropriate websites" option to restore access to Chrome, although this may expose users to inappropriate content. Reports of the issue have decreased, but some users remain affected, particularly those who activated Web Safety under the Edge tab between November 2024 and June 3. The cause of the issue—whether it is a flaw in Chromium or Windows 11's Family Safety feature—remains unclear.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Microsoft is blocking Google Chrome through its family safety feature

Microsoft's Family Safety feature has been causing disruptions for users of Google Chrome on Windows for over two weeks, with issues reported since June 3rd. Users have experienced unexpected closures or an inability to launch Chrome due to a bug in Family Safety. Other browsers like Firefox and Opera are unaffected. A workaround involves renaming the Chrome executable file, and users can also disable the "filter inappropriate websites" setting in Family Safety to restore functionality. There is no timeline for a fix from Microsoft, and attempts to contact the company for comments have gone unanswered.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Windows parental controls are blocking Chrome

Microsoft's Family Safety feature has been restricting users from launching Chrome on Windows since early June, causing issues specifically for Chrome users. Reports of the problem began on June 3, with users experiencing crashes when attempting to open the browser. A Google spokesperson confirmed that Chrome cannot run when Microsoft Family Safety is enabled for some users. Microsoft has not yet implemented a fix after 17 days, and users are advised to either disable the "Filter Inappropriate Websites" setting or rename the chrome.exe file as potential workarounds. Engadget has reached out to Microsoft for further comments but has not received a response.

Tech Optimizer

June 16, 2025

Norton Antivirus Review 2025: Solid Value for Fast, Effective Protection

Norton Antivirus has a score of 8.6 out of 10 and was established in 1982. The Norton 360 Deluxe package includes features such as real-time protection, manual and automated scans, the Genie Scam Detector, a password manager, and 2GB of cloud backups. It offers four plans: Norton Antivirus Plus, Norton 360 Standard, Norton 360 Deluxe, and Norton 360 with LifeLock Select Plus, each with varying identity protection features and cloud backup space. The installation process is user-friendly, and the software operates efficiently, using minimal CPU and disk space. Norton has maintained a perfect security ranking from AV-Test for over a decade but has experienced a data breach in the past five years. Customer support includes a knowledge base, community forum, and 24/7 live chat and phone support, with an overall customer support score of 8 out of 10. Norton’s pricing is competitive, particularly for higher-tier plans, resulting in a value ranking of 8 out of 10.

Tech Optimizer

June 13, 2025

It’s time to stop believing these lies about antivirus software

The proliferation of social media misinformation, deep fakes, and sophisticated phishing attacks has made online safety challenging. Many individuals hold outdated beliefs about cybersecurity, such as the myth that Macs are immune to viruses and that caution alone can replace antivirus software. Regardless of the operating system, using a robust antivirus program is recommended, as built-in security features are not foolproof. Third-party antivirus software can provide additional functionalities like parental controls and VPN services, but they are not a complete safety net. Users must remain vigilant and practice good cybersecurity hygiene, including regular scans, strong passwords, and recognizing phishing attempts. Modern antivirus programs have become more user-friendly and less resource-intensive. Some malware can operate stealthily, making detection difficult, which emphasizes the need for regular scans and monitoring personal accounts for unusual activity. Antivirus protection should extend to mobile devices as well, as they are also vulnerable to cyber threats. Users should check if their antivirus program covers mobile devices and familiarize themselves with security settings on their smartphones.

Tech Optimizer

June 10, 2025

Norton 360 Deluxe antivirus review

Norton 360 Deluxe is a comprehensive antivirus solution that offers extensive security features, including protection against botnets, brute force attacks, and vulnerabilities related to file and print sharing. It provides webcam protection, secure application sandboxing, and a Safe Search feature for risky websites. Users can create a rescue disk for emergencies. Scanning capabilities include quick scans, full scans, targeted folder scans, and a pre-boot deep scan, with the full scan completing in about four minutes. Parental controls allow management of screen time and website access across devices, while the included VPN can disable internet access if a compromised site is visited. Performance testing showed that Norton 360 Deluxe efficiently processed 927,000 files in about four minutes on various devices, significantly outperforming competitors like Bitdefender and McAfee. The Startup Scan feature is thorough but takes longer. The VPN maintained download speeds without noticeable degradation. Additional features include privacy monitoring tools, performance checks for outdated software, junk file removal, and limited cloud backup support for Windows devices. The user-friendly interface highlights key features and includes a search function for easy navigation. Norton provides 24/7 support through online chat and phone, with no email support available. The initial interaction with the virtual agent was efficient, followed by prompt human support.

Tech Optimizer

June 4, 2025

I put McAfee and Norton head-to-head in an antivirus showdown, and the results were quite surprising

McAfee and Norton are two leading antivirus providers known for their robust online safety solutions. Both offer essential security features such as real-time threat detection, firewall protection, identity theft protection, VPN services, password management, and parental controls, but they differ in implementation. McAfee uses advanced machine learning for real-time threat detection but has a higher rate of false positives and shows room for improvement against ransomware and phishing. Norton excels in malware detection and has a strong performance against ransomware, blocking 95% of phishing links in tests. McAfee's firewall monitors incoming threats and protects connected devices, while Norton’s firewall prevents untrusted applications from accessing the internet with extensive configuration options. In identity theft protection, McAfee offers comprehensive features with live agent support, whereas Norton partners with LifeLock for enhanced services, including credit monitoring and up to one million dollars in compensation for identity theft losses. McAfee provides unlimited VPN access with basic functionality, while Norton’s VPN includes advanced features like split tunneling and a kill switch. Both include password managers, but McAfee's lacks some functionalities, whereas Norton’s is user-friendly and supports data import from other managers. For parental controls, McAfee allows website blocking and app restrictions, while Norton offers detailed content filtering and monitoring of online activities. In system performance, both have received high marks, with McAfee showing a superior impact score in tests. User experience varies, with McAfee being more accessible for non-technical users and Norton catering to more experienced individuals. Recent testing indicates both effectively blocked nearly all threats, but McAfee had more false positives. Both brands received high ratings from SE Labs for protection and accuracy. The choice between them depends on individual needs, with McAfee being user-friendly and Norton offering advanced features and enhanced identity protection.