When you begin new service with SurfSafely.net, there are two passwords you are asked to provide. The first is the Logon password. This password authenticates customers for their Dial-Up account and users for the proxy server that actually does the filtering (if you elected filtered service). This is a low level security password in that there's no sin in revealing it to others in your household. If you still don't want anyone else knowing it, use Microsoft Internet Explorer for browsing and click "Save Password" when prompted. The next time a user browses with it, they need only click "OK" when prompted to start browsing.

The second password is called the "super secret" password, and for good reason. This password is used for the master account holder's access to the account control panel to change settings. ONLY THE MASTER ACCOUNT HOLDER SHOULD KNOW THIS PASSWORD! Do not reveal it to anyone and definitely make it different from, and more difficult than the Logon password.

Some "Family Friendly" ISPs who do not provide the master account holder with access to the filter settings would have you believe that, because we do, ours is inferior. Unlike them, we believe that one size does not fit all. Nor do our preferences remain the same for ever and ever, amen. That is why we give YOU the control to decide. Given the choice, freedom of choice is always the better choice.

If you are using Netscape 4.x for your browser AND you have Netwatch enabled, before you cancel service with your unfiltered ISP make sure you connect with their service first to turn Netwatch off. Unless you elect unfiltered service at signup described below, once you're riding solo with SurfSafely.net, Netscape will not allow you to make any changes to this setting. For those not wishing to lose the PICS filtering they have become accustomed to, ICRA is releasing a free add-on filter that replaces the built in filter Netscape comes bundled with. As an added bonus, it will also work with Netscape 6.x.

Downloading and installing the toolbar, at least once, is essential to a painless transition to our service. When run for the first time, it configures all known browsers and email software to begin using your new service right away and sets the home page to SurfSafely.com, our Family Friendly Portal. By selecting "Filtered service" in the setup window, proxy settings are also changed in the browser. This allows the browser to use our SurfSafely.net proxy server to Surf the Net Safely. (Get it?)

You have two options when signing up - filtered or unfiltered. If you elect filtered, you must allow our toolbar software to configure your browser proxy settings by selecting "Filtered" during install. You will not be able to surf the Web any other way.

If you elect unfiltered at sign-up, you still have the option to use our proxy server to filter but it can also be easily disabled by simply turning off proxies in the browser.

It all depends on the level of filtering security you need in your household. Personally, I regard filtering as a safety mechanism to prevent unwanted encounters with inappropriate material. The reason is because I do not WANT to encounter inappropriate material. And I'm reasonably certain I've taught my children well enough to also not want it.

If you have a real problem keeping your children away from inappropriate material online, definitely go with filtered. It can not be circumvented. If they're pretty good kids and all you need is the added comfort of knowing you won't bump into inappropriate content by accident, sign up for unfiltered and enable it from the toolbar after the fact. At least this way, should there ever arise a need to connect without proxy (as in the Netscape Netwatch example above), it can be done.

Q: Can I make my home page something other than SurfSafely.com?
A: Yes. Installing the toolbar the first time sets your home page to SurfSafely.com. If you would like something else for your home page (I can't imagine why but I guess it's possible), just click "Tools | Internet Options" and type in your new home page. Another way is to browse to the page you want for your home page, then drag and drop the explorer icon from the URL bar over the Home icon. Using the SurfSafely toolbar going forward will not disturb your home page settings again unless you click "Update Connection" in the toolbar Setup window. You sould only need to do this if you change telephone numbers or install a new modem.

Q: The toolbar is in my way. Can I connect without it?
A: Yes. Installing the toolbar creates a new Dial-Up connection called "Surf Safely Auto Connect" in "My Computer | Dial-Up Networking". Creating a shortcut to the new connection is as easy as dragging it onto your desktop from the Dial-Up Networking folder with your right mouse button and clicking "Create Shortcut here". Double clicking the new shortcut connects your computer to the Internet bypassing the toolbar. Another way to connect that bypasses the toolbar is to simply launch the browser or email software. As soon as it needs something online the dialer will pop up automatically.

Q: Does bypassing the toolbar bypass the filtering too?
A: Absolutely not! Filtering is handled at the server, not by your computer. The only way to change the filter settings is to log in as the account owner with the master password.

Q: Can I use other filtering software with your service?
A: Yes. If you have software that your comfortable with now such as IAmBigBrother, WeBlocker, Cyber Patrol or the ICRA filter, it can be used without conflict. Just remember that, if you're not careful how you configure them, the two working together may create an overly restrictive environment. With 35 filtering categories to choose from, SurfSafely.net already gives you a great deal of control over what to allow and disallow. But, because our filtering is by web site category only, you may still wish to use other software that can block additional sites within permitted categories, limit usage time or record online sessions. Even if you never use the filtering we offer, our pricing is still one of the best deals on the market.

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