Blocking unwanted websites is an effective way of stopping children from accessing inappropriate websites, whether they stumble across them accidently or are actively searching.

K9 Web Protection is the home version of Blue Coat's corporate software and is available free of charge.

Once installed K9 monitors all web surfing activity, whether it is through Internet Explorer, Firefox or Opera.

A K9 warning appears instead, with information as to why the page has been blocked. It is possible to enter the administrator password to continue to the site if desired or allow access to that site or the entire category for all users.

Keywords in internet addresses can used to block websites although this option must be used with some care; blocking sex will block westsussex.gov.uk as well as less acceptable sites.

Users who break the rules too many times can be blocked from the whole internet for a time out period.

Internet activity is listed by the different categories with more information such as time and website available if required.

K9 can be set to six different levels of protection, including a mode that just monitors usage. Individual sites can be singled out to always be blocked or allowed.

It is also possible to restrict the times when internet access is allowed.

You must register for a license key here before downloading the file.