Microsoft has opened up testing of a new Web-based service that allows parents to control what their kids do on the Internet.The service, called Windows Live OneCare Family Safety, is now available for trial in the United States, according to Microsoft. It can be downloaded on the Windows Live Ideas website.“While we are still in the testing and development phase, OneCare Safety will offer some great features to help families create a safer and enjoyable online experience,” Microsoft said in a blog posting on the software’s release. That posting can be found here.The Family Safety service has been available to a limited set of beta testers since earlier this year, but this is the first time that Microsoft has opened it up to the general public. The company is not saying when users outside of the United States will be able to try out this product, but more information about that will be released “very soon,” Microsoft said. Family Safety lets parents block their kids from viewing sites relating to inappropriate subjects like pornography or alcohol. They can also get activity reports on what websites their children have been visiting. Because Family Safety is a Web-based service, parents can adjust settings or check in on their kids from any Internet-enabled PC.Microsoft is also offering guidelines on how children can safely use the Internet and tips on how parents can talk to kids about their online activity. Future versions of the service will let parents create “allow” lists to help them control their children’s use of other Windows Live services such as instant messaging.The Windows Live services are part of Microsoft’s broader effort to take on competitors like Google, which has focused on creating new software that is hosted on the Internet, rather than written for Microsoft’s Windows operating system.By Robert McMillan, IDG News Service (San Francisco Bureau)Related Links:• Safe at Home• Indonesia, Microsoft Team to Battle Child Predators (CIO.com) Keep checking in at our Security Feed page for updated news coverage. Related content brandpost The advantages and risks of large language models in the cloud Understanding the pros and cons of LLMs in the cloud is a step closer to optimized efficiency—but be mindful of security concerns along the way. By Daniel Prizmant, Senior Principal Researcher at Palo Alto Networks Oct 03, 2023 5 mins Cloud Security news Arm patches bugs in Mali GPUs that affect Android phones and Chromebooks The vulnerability with active exploitations allows local non-privileged users to access freed-up memory for staging new attacks. By Shweta Sharma Oct 03, 2023 3 mins Android Security Vulnerabilities news UK businesses face tightening cybersecurity budgets as incidents spike More than a quarter of UK organisations think their cybersecurity budget is inadequate to protect them from growing threats. By Michael Hill Oct 03, 2023 3 mins CSO and CISO Risk Management news Cybersecurity experts raise concerns over EU Cyber Resilience Act’s vulnerability disclosure requirements Open letter claims current provisions will create new threats that undermine the security of digital products and individuals. By Michael Hill Oct 03, 2023 4 mins Regulation Compliance Vulnerabilities Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe