NetRef Offers Students Internet Security at School and at Home

NetRef is a new Internet management tool designed to provide safety for kids at school and at home. NetRef was developed by a group of concerned parents who are also experienced technologists with a combined 40 years of experience designing end-to-end network security systems for large public- and private-sector organizations.

According to the company, the NetRef educational security system:

  • safeguards all internet access points, offering umbrella protection across a school’s networks and on all imported devices;
  • operates with all Web browsers including Internet Explorer, Chrome and Firefox; and all app ecosystems including iOS, Android, Chrome and Windows;
  • integrates centralized IT networks to desktops, laptops and personal mobile devices; and
  • provides multi-tiered, oversight functionality across the school, in the classroom, and by student. 

NetRef includes a teacher’s panel to alerts them when students are off task. Teachers can then block students from unassigned Web browsing and app usage. The system delivers daily and monthly reports that detail how the Internet is being deployed at the student, classroom, grade and school level.

The school version will available for the 2014-2015 school year. Later this fall, NetRef will launch a beta of the home version, with a final roll-out planned for spring 2015.

About the Author

Christopher Piehler is the former editor-in-chief of THE Journal.

Featured

  • DreamBox Math

    Discovery Education Announces Updates to Experience, DreamBox Math

    K-12 learning solution provider Discovery Education has announced enhancements to its Discovery Education Experience and DreamBox Math products, designed to create a more personalized, engaging learning experience for students.

  • abstract pattern of cybersecurity, ai and cloud imagery

    Report Identifies Malicious Use of AI in Cloud-Based Cyber Threats

    A recent report from OpenAI identifies the misuse of artificial intelligence in cybercrime, social engineering, and influence operations, particularly those targeting or operating through cloud infrastructure. In "Disrupting Malicious Uses of AI: June 2025," the company outlines how threat actors are weaponizing large language models for malicious ends — and how OpenAI is pushing back.

  • digital dashboard featuring a shield icon, graphs, a world map, and network nodes

    IBM Launches Agentic AI Governance and Security Platform

    IBM has introduced a new software stack for enterprise IT teams tasked with managing the complex governance and security challenges posed by autonomous AI systems.

  • laptop and fish hook

    Security Researchers Identify Generative AI 'Vishing' Attack

    A new report from researchers at Ontinue's Cyber Defense Center has identified a complex, multi-stage cyber attack that leveraged social engineering, remote access tools, and signed binaries to infiltrate and persist within a target network.