Windows Live OneCare Family Safety Fact Sheet
Family Safety Settings build on traditional parental controls that typically have a more categorized approach to protection from online threats and inappropriate content that only apply to the computer on which they are established.
August 2006
Helping to protect customers is of paramount importance to Microsoft Corp. and has become a foundation for everything it develops. The company’s goal is to help parents understand potential online threats so they can teach their children safer behaviors and reap the benefits of the Internet.
On Aug. 30, 2006, Microsoft released a public beta of Windows Live™ OneCare Family Safety (http://ideas.live.com) as part of an extensive testing and development process before its final release to the public. The service, formerly known as Family Safety Settings, offers parents and families new, flexible ways to help them create safer online experiences. Microsoft® Windows Live OneCare Family Safety builds on traditional parental controls that typically have a more categorized approach to protection from online threats and inappropriate content that only apply to the computer on which they are established. The service helps enhance customer safety by making family protection tools free, widely available and flexible through Web-based Windows Live services.
Features include the following:
| • | Web content filtering. This will allow customers to choose settings to “allow,” “block” or “warn” for a range of content categories, and unique settings can be applied for each member of the household. The filtering settings will be enforced when a user logs on to Windows Live on a PC that is running Windows Live OneCare Family Safety. Parents will be able to review and adjust settings online anytime from any PC connected to the Internet to help meet the family’s evolving needs. |
| • | Expert guidance. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other respected child organizations worldwide will provide parents with valuable guidance on age-appropriate settings and online activities. For example, users will have access to guidelines on how to help a child use online communications safely or how parents should talk to children about inappropriate Web browsing. |
| • | Activity reports. Parents will be able to access activity reports for each user in the family, at any time from any PC connected to the Internet, to help them stay informed about how their children are browsing the Web or communicating online. |
| • | Contact management. In future versions of the service, parents will be able to create “allow” lists for communication services, including Windows Live Mail, Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Spaces, to help prevent their children from crossing paths with unknown contacts. |
Availability
Windows Live OneCare Family Safety is currently in beta in the U.S. and an international beta is scheduled to be released in select global markets in the coming months. Those who want to find more information or try the service can do so at http://ideas.live.com.
More information about the AAP is online at http://www.aap.org.
Protecting Children and Families Online
Windows Live OneCare Family Safety is a part of Microsoft’s ongoing worldwide efforts to help protect families online through user education, industry cooperation and technology innovation. A crucial component of the security efforts surrounding Windows Live, this service also will complement related technologies from Microsoft, such as family settings to be available in Windows Vista™, helping families customize their experience with both PC- and Web-based protection.
Microsoft, Windows Live and Windows Vista are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
This document is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY.
