Mobile operator and broadband ISP Vodafone UK has this morning launched a new internet security service for their Pro II home broadband packages “at no extra cost“, called ‘Secure Net Home’, which is a combination of digital security and parental controls (filtering) that can be used on more than 150 connected devices in the home.
The provider states that their new Secure Net Home service includes various features, such as real-time protection against viruses and online threats (malware) for any device connected to WiFi. In addition, the parental controls it includes will enable you to create profiles for children, before assigning groups of devices to apply preferred controls for each individual user. This could include their mobile phone or laptop, as well as connected devices such as TVs or games consoles that they might have in their bedrooms.
The service also allows you to set customisable content filters, which ensure age-appropriate browsing across different / selectable types of content, such as adult content, social media, gambling, gaming and video etc. Parents can filter all of this by selected times too, or use the “Pause the internet” feature to restrict internet access on selected devices for an hour.
The new service is built into the operator’s bundled Ultra Hub Router (pictured) and can also be managed within the Secure Net App.
Rob Winterschladen, Consumer Director of Vodafone UK, said:
“We’re really excited to be bringing our best ever broadband security and family controls to busy households, delivering the ultimate in hassle-free security to families across the nation – and all at no extra cost for our Pro II customers.
Vodafone has been committed to helping parents navigate their family’s online use for well over a decade, with our wealth of digital parenting resources and partnership with NSPCC. We’re proud to be supporting parents further with Secure Net Home, providing them with even more practical tools to keep their children safe online.”
The service is now available for all new Pro II customers at no extra cost, while existing Pro II customers also have access to Secure Net Home free of charge (you need to activate it via the Vodafone Broadband App) – available to download through the Apple Store or Google Play.
Interestingly, the editors notes on this announcement also state that Vodafone’s broadband speeds on their Pro II plans “can reach speeds up to 2.2 Gbps in selected areas” (i.e. CityFibre’s new XGS-PON powered FTTP network), although it’s worth noting that they haven’t yet officially launched any packages faster than c.900Mbps. But we have been expecting the 2Gbps tier for some time now (here).