Q: Why have you named this filter Naomi?

A: See the program's manual: "I dedicate this program to a dear friend's baby girl; her name, naturally, is Naomi."

Q: What about updates?

A: Naomi is capable of recognizing new material automatically, because it does not rely on a list of banned sites (with a few exceptions, i.e. sites that can avoid detection); instead, it examines all data that are transmitted or received from the internet. For this reason there are no "black-list" files to download for updating the filter. However, new versions of the filter will be released on this site whenever the recognition engine gets updated, when an issue (bug) gets fixed, or when the program gets improved. When a new version is available, it is a good idea to download and install it, after a complete uninstall of the previous version (see user manual). A reboot might be required in some cases (if files are still in use.)

Q: Your product seems to update very often. How will I know when I should get the program?

A: Recently I have added support (semantic analysis) for more foreign languages, and I'm still receiving suggestions by different users. That's why the filter gets updated so often. The filter is now accurate enough for working even without updating often. However, I would advise to update the filter at least once a month, or whenever a major version change occurs (i.e. if you have 2.3.0, it's a good idea to update when 2.4.0 gets released, to have better accuracy, stability, features etc.)

Q: I would like to install Naomi only in a couple of user profiles, it should not run for all users on my computer. Is this possible?

A: Yes. By default, Naomi installs in all user accounts. If you need to install Naomi only in one or more user accounts, download the Personal version of Naomi. It will install only in the user accounts that you will install it from. If you install the Personal version in more than one account, on the same PC, the installation program will only create one copy of the files (you will not have several copies of Naomi all over your hard disk.)

Q: Is it possible to hide Naomi's icon completely? I don't want the icon to show up at all in the tray area.

A: Starting from version 2.4 it is possible. If you have an older version (for instance, 2.3), uninstall it and download the new version first. Then, download the no tray icon plugin (click the text to download the plugin for versions 2.5.5 and above). Once you have downloaded the plugin, install it, then restart your computer. Naomi's icon should not reappear in the tray area anymore. To access Naomi's interface, you'll have to go to the Start menu, then choose Run, write naointerface and press Ok. If you want to go back to the standard version, just reinstall Naomi without the plugin.

Q: When I install the filter, the flower shaped icon appears next to the clock, but if I shut down and restart my pc, the icon doesn't reappear. Is this correct?

A: No. Either there is a problem that is preventing Naomi from starting (e.g. a particular software, such as a registry monitor), or if you are running Windows XP, simply Naomi's icon may be hidden in the tray area near the clock (there is an arrow you can click to show all the hidden icons). If Naomi is running, you can also install the no tray plugin so that you can use the naointerface command (see above).

Q: I don't need blocking of file-sharing applications. How do I disable this feature?

A: Just click the "Stop P2P" button on Naomi's interface and make sure to set it on "Off" (it is enabled by default).

Q: Is it possible to add a "404 error page" or a "permission denied" instead of closing the browser?

A: No, because Naomi is not specifically a web filter. It analyzes all internet traffic and blocks the offending application, be it a web browser or another kind of application.

Q: When installing, I get the following message: "An error occurred while trying to replace the existing file: DeleteFile failed..."

A: This message appears when a previous version of the filter is already installed and running. You must uninstall the previous version before installing a new one. To uninstall, just click on the program's icon, enter your password and click on the "Uninstall" button (see user manual).

Q: I can't remember my password. I need help to find my password and remove the filter.

A: Sorry, the password is under your care. For security reasons, such requests will not receive any reply.

Q: Naomi is shutting down my web browser regardless of the site I'm visiting.

A: Spyware or dialers might be installed on your pc. Naomi is able to detect some dialer sites, blocking them. To check if your pc is infected with spyware, you can try Ad-Aware SE Personal (free).

Q: Does Naomi contain any adware/spyware? Ad-Aware brings many alert messages when scanning Naomi.

A: Naomi does NOT contain any sort of adware or spyware, and it will NEVER contain anything like that. See an independent review of Naomi here.

Q: Filtering is not working.

A: If the installation process did not give you any error messages, and you have already tried restarting your pc, then there is not much that you can do. Sometimes the advanced process manipulation techniques employed by Naomi may not work on some systems. A new technology will be used in the forthcoming "LS" version, and it should be compatible with most windows system.

Q: I see you have different languages of your program on your website, is just the interface language changed or also the detection language?

A: Just the interface language is changed. Each version is able to detect all the languages.

Q: When I try to type my password to access the filter's panel, nothing appears.

A: In the dialog window, click the white edit box and enter your password.

Q: I installed a new version but I didn't uninstall the previous one. Now I cannot open the program, or my password is rejected.

A: Just reboot your pc. The program should be able to fix the problem automatically.

Q: Instead of blocking certain sites or content, I want to allow my computer to only to few pre-selected sites. Can your software do that?

A: No. Naomi is a content filter.

Q: Does the usage of the filter interfere with a particular software?

A: Naomi is not compatible with Deep Freeze. Furthermore, some firewalls may prevent the filter from running; Outpost users in particular are advised to change the settings in the Open Process Control function. Problems may also be caused by advertising and inappropriate messages in your webmail (Hotmail, etc.) as these may activate the filter.

Q: A harmless site is erroneously blocked.

A: Several sites use ICRA labels to self-define their content type. Some of them (a few sports and business sites, and a widely used chat program's site, among the others) mistakenly use ICRA flags that are used to define violent or explicit content, so the page will be blocked, even if it is harmless. You can verify these sites here: ICRA Label Tester.
Besides, the filter is designed to be safe for kids in particular. For this reason, some sites that are "partly safe" are blocked by the program. For example, Deviantart, a site that is currently blocked by Naomi contains artistic works - mainly of the fantasy genre - produced by different surfers. Among those works, there are several themes that are not safe for kids (i.e. homosexual erotism, pedophilia). The site is blocked to prevent access to such images. Several "torrent" sites and anonymizers are blocked as well for the same reason. If you are sure that a blocked site is safe for kids, please report it.

Q: Any chance that you would consider adding trusted and blocked site lists functionality in a next version?

A: It is possible, but at this moment I don't want to add user-lists functionality, mainly because the filter is not based on the concept of "lists" and is not just a filter for web browsers. Besides, I prefer that users let me know about the sites that are not blocked or that are erroneously blocked, so that I can modify the filter and all users may benefit from the new versions.

Q: Google Images pages sometimes are not blocked.

A: Naomi cannot "see" images, it can only analyze phrases, words, file names, server addresses, tags, links, etc. Thus, if a search engine shows a picture named "001.jpg", probably the filter will not block it. However, if the user tries to view other pictures associated to that image, google should redirect the user on the original gallery/site, and the filter should be able to block it. If you want to block access to most image and video searches on google, yahoo, etc. then you can install the ImageSearch plugin (remember to reboot after installing it).

Q: My computer crashes (access violation) when I'm running the filter, or I get an error in "iexplore.exe", or the filter does not work.

A: Unfortunately this may happen on some computers, under particular circumstances that I have yet to identify. You may contact me using the report form. Please specify your Windows version (i.e. 2000, XP), available memory (128, 256 MB), processor (Pentium, Athlon, etc.) and any particular software that is running on your pc. You can find links to other free filters on the main page. Anyway, if Naomi does not work for you, a short report is appreciated.

Q: I want uninstall the software but i cannot find it. Where is it?

A: It should be visible as a red flower icon in the tray area (near Windows' time). If you cannot see it, perhaps it is hidden (there is a small arrow that you can click to show hidden tray icons in Windows XP.) If you still cannot access it, but you are sure that Naomi is working (porn sites are being blocked, etc.) then please download and install the "no tray icon plugin" (see above for download and usage instructions.) Then you will be able to use the "naointerface" command to access the filter's interface, using your password, to uninstall it. If you still cannot access the filter's interface, then the filter is not working: either the filter is not installed, or the installation failed.

Q: Do you have a version of this program that will work with Windows 95?

A: Currently not, sorry. I was developing a version of Naomi suitable for use with all Windows versions, including 95, but development is currently suspended because of technical difficulties. I'm a single programmer, so I don't know how much time will be required for this version to be ready. Anyway, there are a few free filters on the main page (English section) of my site. I think they should work with Windows 95, though I have not tried them.

Q: Myspace.com was blocked in previous versions of Naomi, now it isn't. Why?

A: This disclaimer can be found on Myspace: "If you're under 14, MySpace is not the place for you. Go away. If you're under 14, there are other sites better suited for you." Previous versions of Naomi blocked this site (Naomi uses a small backlist for those resources that are composed mostly of pictures, and thus cannot always be analyzed by the filtering engine). Due to many requests I have received, access to this site is now allowed but it is possible to disable it installing the myspace plugin and rebooting.

Q: Would you see possibilities of a commercial co-operation between us and make a commercial version of Naomi? We might find big vendors to act as re-sellers to the retail market resulting to good revenues for all.

A: I'm sorry, but I'm not willing to make a commercial version of Naomi. In fact, I have created Naomi because I was disappointed by the fact that all the existing filters (with the exception of simpler web-proxy filters based on blacklists) are commercial. I believe that this kind of product should be free for all families, so I'm not interested in revenues of any kind.

Q: Please kindly advise: 1) Can I distribute your software? 2) Can I give my customer a copy and charge the cost of the media/time? 3) Can I install it for my customers and charge for my time installing it?

A: 1) Like any other freeware product, you are allowed to distribute Naomi for free, as long as you follow the license (you can read it online or in the program's manual).
2) You can ONLY charge the cost of the media (1 cd or 1 floppy).
3) You are NOT allowed to charge for your time installing Naomi. The product is simple enough to be installed by anyone. It only requires pressing "Next", "Ok", and choosing a password. If they are not able to install it, I am offering free user support.

Q: Quite a few products out there will block connections with negative feedback about their product. These reasons may or may not sensor information that should not be blocked if there is such a thing like free speech. I do like to protect my children from "dangerous" sites, but I would like to be able to have some input in what is "dangerous".

A: My website explains just that: "obscene or violent contents; pornography, pedophilia and erotism; sites that popularize drugs; gambling games; terrorism; hate propaganda; occultism; sects; blasphemy, etc."
Of course, if you are concerned about "free speech" and think that a filter should only block porn sites, while allowing children access drug sites, occultism, discussions about sexuality and masturbation, homosexual propaganda, white pride sites, hate sites, "innocent" drawings of cartoon erotica, etc. then Naomi is not for you. In my opinion, this kind of material is not acceptable for children, and Naomi is a filter for children.

Q: I have downloaded a filter called iCom Stealth, from Prime Filtering software. It has problems and I want to uninstall it. The official website is dead, and is pointing to yours. Please advise.

A: I am not affiliated with iCom Stealth in any way. However, since several people have asked me to help them uninstalling that software, I have made a bit of research. Just follow this procedure. Do a search (Start menu > Find) for the file thdetr32.dll and rename it to something else. Then open the registry editor (Start > Run > type Regedit > Ok) and browse to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run. Now find the key on the right that includes the iCom program and remove it. Restart the computer. Problem should no longer be occuring. If this doesn't work, do the same, but first boot into safe mode (reboot and press F8).

Q: I have a question that is not covered in this FAQ.

A: You can contact me using the report form on this page.