TAG Recommended Filters
Filters that are recommend by TAG offer the following features:
- Content filtering – use proprietary software to preview the content (words) and images in real time.
- Image filtering – can examine the images and decide if it is appropriate based on your settings.
- Skin tone shading– optionally allows certain images, with the skin tone shaded out, to enable viewing the rest of the image.
- Remote management– all filter adjustments are done on their servers. No need to take time to come to the TAG office to adjust settings.
- Safe search – filters the actual search results so inappropriate content does not show up.
- Dedicated support – phone and email support, including after hours, directly from the filter companies.
- Security – no record of searches or web pages visited, so all your personal information remains private.
- Uninstall protection – prevents unauthorized removal of the filter.
Android (phones and tablets)
*Not all devices can be filtered. Older devices especially do not have the resources to allow the filters to operate effectively.
| Features | GenTech (block) | MB Smart | NetSpark | GenTech (apps) | GenTech |
| Price | $25 | $30/year | $150/year or $15/month | $99.99/year | $169.99/year or $15.99/month |
| Discounts | None | None |
$130 first year, 15% for 3 or more devices |
15% for 3 or more devices | 15% for 3 or more devices |
| Internet Block (prevent website browsing or searching) | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Whitelist Filtering (allow specific websites only) | NO | YES | YES | NO | YES |
| Block App Store (prevent installing apps) | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Remote Management (settings can be adjusted from anywhere) | NO | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Category Filtering (filters websites based on categories) | NO | NO | YES | NO | YES |
| Content Filtering (actively scans websites in real time) | NO | NO | YES | NO | YES |
| Image Filtering (scans images in real time) | NO | NO | YES | YES | YES |
| Safe Search (filters Search results within Google) | NO | NO | YES | NO | YES |
| Time Control (turn off all data on a schedule) | NO | NO | YES | YES | YES |
| YouTube Filtering | NO | NO | YES (YouTube is still NOT recommended) | NO | YES (YouTube is still NOT recommended) |
| Skin-tone Shading (fills in the various shades of skin with other colors) | NO | NO | NO | YES | YES |
Q. How come a couple of years ago the filters were free?
A. A few years ago we did not have reliable filters. Now we do. Products used in the past did not actually filter the internet. Some tried to limit categories of websites, relying on massive lists of “clean” websites. Any website was fully accessible – regardless of content. So when a website like Amazon was available, the entire website was available, including images and content that were inappropriate. The filters TAG installs operate like a water filter. A water filter gives you the water and filters out the harmful items. So too, you get the websites and the harmful items get filtered out.
Q. I don’t even want internet – just my apps. Do I even need a filter? Why can’t I just use an Applock like before?
A.You absolutely need a filter! Since the majority of apps contain access to Facebook, Google and Youtube, even people who do not want any internet (websites) still have access. In addition, the newer updated operating systems rendered the use of an Applock useless as they created significant loopholes.
Q. What is the difference between Netspark and GenTech?
A. There are a couple of differences between Netspark and GenTech.
- GenTech uses a proxy to filter.
- Netspark uses a VPN.
- Netspark supports Android 4.0 and higher. GenTech supports 5.0 and higher.
Q. What is the difference between GenTech and GenTech (apps)?
A. There are only two differences between GenTech and GenTech (apps)::
- GenTech allows general internet searching through a web browser like Chrome
- GenTech (apps) does not allow internet searching, it only allows your apps to work- and be filtered. Everything else is exactly the same. Also, any new app needs to be requested it can’t just be downloaded.
Q. Which one should I choose?
A. That depends on you and your device. The following questions are designed to guide you.
- Is price a big deal? Netspark
- Do you look up everything on Google? If yes, do NOT select GenTech (apps)
- Do you only use your phone only for talk and text message? GenTech (block) but keep in mind the limitations that no data will work. Including email, Waze, Maps, etc.
- Do you have a lot of apps on your phone or might need significant customer support? Consider GenTech
iPhone, iPad, iPod (Apple)
| Features | IOS Restrictions | NetSpark | GenTech |
| Price | FREE | $150/year or $15/month | $169.99/year or $15.99/month |
| Discounts | None | $130 first year, 15% for 3 or more devices | 15% for 3 or more devices |
| Internet Block (prevent website browsing or searching) | YES | YES | YES |
| Whitelist Filtering (allow specific websites only) | YES | YES | YES |
| Block App Store (prevent installing apps) | YES | YES | YES |
| Remote Management (settings can be adjusted from anywhere) | NO (any changes need to be done in-office.) | YES | YES |
| Category Filtering (filters websites based on categories) | NO | YES | YES |
| Image Filtering (scans images in real time) | NO | YES | YES |
| Safe Search (filters Search results within Google) | NO | YES | YES |
| Time Control (turn off all data on a schedule) | NO | YES | YES |
| YouTube Filtering | NO | YES (YouTube is still NOT recommended) | YES (YouTube is still NOT recommended) |
| Skin-tone Shading (fills in the various shades of skin with other colors) | NO | NO | YES |
Q. How come a couple of years ago the filters were free?
A. A few years ago we did not have reliable filters. Now we do. Products used in the past did not actually filter the internet. Some tried to limit categories of websites, relying on massive lists of “clean” websites. Any website was fully accessible – regardless of content. So when a website like Amazon was available, the entire website was available, including images and content that were inappropriate. The filters TAG installs operate like a water filter. A water filter gives you the water and filters out the harmful items. So too, you get the websites and the harmful items get filtered out.
Q. I don’t even want internet – just my apps. Do I even need a filter? Why can’t I just use an Applock like before?
A.You absolutely need a filter! Since the majority of apps contain access to Facebook, Google and Youtube, even people who do not want any internet (websites) still have access. In addition, the newer updated operating systems rendered the use of an Applock useless as they created significant loopholes.
Q. What is the difference between Apple Restrictions and GenTech/NetSpark?
A. There are major differences.
- Apple Restrictions doesn’t actually filter. Apple restrictions limits access to whatever is set up. And whatever is left is fully accessible. For example, if Google is available, the entire Google is available and nothing is restricted.
- GenTech/NetSpark are filters that can remove questionable content from search results, and inappropriate images from web pages and filters the apps themselves.
- All Apple restriction settings are on the device itself. Meaning all changes have to be done within a TAG office. GenTech/NetSpark settings and adjustments are done remotely meaning you don’t have to be in our office.
- Again Apple restrictions do NOT filter images.
GenTech/NetSpark have a full customer support division beyond TAG’s service. - GenTech/NetSpark filters content within apps. Meaning it will filter images and content within Amazon for example.
Q. What is the difference between Netspark and GenTech?
A. There are a couple of differences between Netspark and GenTech.
- GenTech uses a proxy to filter.
- Netspark uses a VPN.
Q. Which one should I choose?
A. That depends on you and your device. The following questions are designed to guide you.
- Is price a big deal? GenTech/NetSpark aren’t free.
- Do you need the full internet or Google? If no, then you can use IOS Restrictions with internet blocked or a small whitelist.
- Do you look up everything on Google? IOS restrictions isn’t a filter so you need to go with GenTech or NetSpark.
- Do you only use your phone for talk and text message? Use IOS Restrictions.
- Do you have a lot of apps on your phone or might need significant customer support? Consider GenTech
Windows (laptops and computers)
| Features | NativUSA | GenTech | Techloq | NetSpark |
| Price | $140/year or $14/month (Includes 2 computers) | $169.99/year or $15.99/month | $10.99/month or $117.99/year |
$150/year or $15/month |
| Discounts | None | 15% for 3 or more devices | None | $130 first year, 15% for 3 or more devices |
| Remote Management (settings can be adjusted from anywhere) | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Category Filtering (filters websites based on categories) | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Content Filtering (actively scans websites in real time) | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Image Filtering (scans images in real time) | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Time Control (Turn off data on a schedule) | NO | YES | YES | YES |
| Pre-Koshered Websites (websites pre-cleaned) | YES | NO | NO | NO |
| Password Protected Internet (need password to even use the internet) | YES (all browsing is blocked until password is entered) | No | NO | NO |
| YouTube Filtering | NO (YouTube is monitored) | YES (YouTube is still NOT recommended) | YES (YouTube is still NOT recommended) | YES (YouTube is still NOT recommended) |
| Skin-tone Shading (fills in the various shades of skin with other colors) | YES | YES | YES | NO |
Q. How come a couple of years ago the filters were free?
A. A few years ago we did not have reliable filters. Now we do. Products used in the past did not actually filter the internet. Some tried to limit categories of websites, relying on massive lists of “clean” websites. Any website was fully accessible – regardless of content. So when a website like Amazon was available, the entire website was available, including images and content that were inappropriate. The filters TAG installs operate like a water filter. A water filter gives you the water and filters out the harmful items. So too, you get the websites and the harmful items get filtered out.
Q. I had K9 in the past. What’s wrong with K9?
A. K9 is a good product with significant flaws. K9 works by categories, but doesn’t actually filter the internet. If a category or website is available, it is fully available regardless of what content it contains. So again when a website like Amazon is available, the entire website is available including images and content that are wholly inappropriate. K9’s flaws are also well known, and easily exploited. Finally K9 is no longer being updated.
Q. What is the difference between Techloq, GenTech, and Nativ USA?
A. There are a few differences.
- Techloq is the cheapest. NativUSA has different pricing tiers. A cheaper option that allows up to 100 websites for $9.50 per month or $95 per year via a whitelist. If you need more than 100 websites, price is $14 per month or $140 per year for unlimited sites. GenTech is $38.95 every 3 months or $140 per year for all the websites that you need.
- NativUSA also gives you 2 licenses. Meaning you can filter two different computers, as well as 2 entirely different settings.
- Techloq and GenTech can filter YouTube. NativUSA offers monitored YouTube. All videos are reviewed within 4-8 hours. This allows for better management of “senseless” usage. Of course, all inappropriate content is blocked immediately. Videos on a different site, that are hosted by YouTube can be allowed.
- Nativ USA image filtering seems to be more accurate at image recognition. They also offers the ability to add individual images or just one page of images, when you don’t want the full site with unfiltered images. GenTech can remove the image filtering from complete websites.
- Nativ USA has an optional feature that gives you access to only pre-koshered (manually cleaned) websites. Meaning that you will only get 100% kosher websites. They have a master list of more than 30,000 pre-koshered (manually cleaned) websites. With an option to have other websites cleaned as well.
- Nativ USA has a 30 trial period prior to actually paying for anything. Techloq and GenTech has a 30 day money back guarantee.
- GenTech has a large tech support department, as well as long support hours. 5a to 8:30p. NativUSA is available til 4p.
Q. Which one should I choose?
A.That depends on you and your device. The following questions are designed to guide you.
- How many computers do you need to get filtered? If it’s more than 1, NativUSA will be cheaper.
- How old is your computer? If it’s more than 3 years old, GenTech will probably run more smoothly.
- Do you require YouTube? GenTech has 5 levels. NativUSA has a monitored YouTube option but it is not filtered.
- Do you usually go to the same websites all the time? NativUSA whitelist may work for you.
- Do you might need significant customer support? Consider GenTech
Macs (Apple Computers)
| Features | Netspark | GenTech |
| Price | $150/year or $15/month | $169.99/year or $15.99/month |
| Discounts | $130 first year, 15% for 3 or more devices | 15% for 3 or more devices |
| Remote Management (settings can be adjusted from anywhere) | YES | YES |
| Category Filtering (filters websites based on categories) | YES | YES |
| Content Filtering (actively scans websites in real time) | YES | YES |
| Image Filtering (scans images in real time) | YES | YES |
| Time Control (Turn off data on a schedule) | YES | YES |
| Pre-Koshered Websites (websites pre-cleaned) | NO | NO |
| Password Protected Internet (need password to even use the internet) | NO | NO |
| YouTube Filtering | YES (YouTube is still NOT recommended) | YES (YouTube is still NOT recommended) |
| Skin-tone Shading (fills in the various shades of skin with other colors) | YES | YES |
Q. How come a couple of years ago the filters were free?
A. A few years ago we did not have reliable filters. Now we do. Products used in the past did not actually filter the internet. Some tried to limit categories of websites, relying on massive lists of “clean” websites. Any website was fully accessible – regardless of content. So when a website like Amazon was available, the entire website was available, including images and content that were inappropriate. The filters TAG installs operate like a water filter. A water filter gives you the water and filters out the harmful items. So too, you get the websites and the harmful items get filtered out.
Q. I had K9 in the past. What’s wrong with K9?
A. K9 was a good product with significant flaws. K9 worked by categories, but didn’t actually filter the internet. If a category or website is available, it is fully available regardless of what content it contains. So again when a website like Amazon is available, the entire website is available including images and content that are wholly inappropriate. K9’s flaws are also well known, and easily exploited. Finally K9 is no longer available.
Chromebooks
There only TAG recommended filter available Chromebooks is an allow list for a limited number of websites. There are no category-based filters recommended.
As a result we currently do not recommend purchasing a Chromebook. For those who already have one, or require one for business purposes, we recommend Blocksi.