State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez Offering Free Internet Monitoring Software for Parents

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office is helping parents and students kick-off a new school year by offering a free specialized computer software program designed to help protect children from the growing menace of internet predators.

The software, called “ComputerCop,” provides a quick and easy way for parents to review what their children are doing while using the internet and to assess if kids are being exposed to inappropriate or harmful content.

“As the number of children who use technology continues to soar, the need for education and the commitment to the protection of children who are exposed to online predators must also increase,” said Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez.

“It is imperative that we take proactive steps to educate and raise awareness about the dangers that loom and we invite parents to take advantage of this important tool.”

The free software can be requested through the State’s Attorney’s website at statesattorney.org, where parents can fill complete a simple online order form.

ComputerCop contains a database of 2,000 red flagged words associated with pornography, drugs, violence, hate crimes, and gambling.  The program can find items that have been deleted and also has a “delete” function of its own so that objectionable material can be eliminated instantly.  The software was developed with the help of several law enforcement agencies including the F.B.I.   The database has been distributed by over 200 law enforcement agencies throughout the country.

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office administers the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which investigates and prosecutes criminal acts such as child pornography, sexual solicitation of a child or missing child investigations.  The task force also offers guidance and information for parents and educators on internet safety.