While we’re all getting stuff done and enjoying ourselves online, we also need to keep our computers, our data and our families safe.
So every TalkTalk broadband customer gets our HomeSafe web filter included for their home Wi-Fi, protecting any device that’s connected. You just activate it and choose your settings in My Account.
Have an eero? - You'll need to set up your web filtering settings in the eero app instead. For more information see our guide About eero secure
For instructions on how to use TalkTalk HomeSafe® please select below for more information. If you would like to read more about HomeSafe®, take a look at our HomeSafe® overview for more information.
HomeSafe and SuperSafe. What's the difference?
Security features can be a bit confusing. HomeSafe and SuperSafe are two separate tools that fight threats in different areas, and we always recommend you use them together for the best security. HomeSafe is a family-friendly web filter for your home Wi-Fi, blocking inappropriate content (KidSafe), as well as sites that could harbour malware (Virus Alerts), for any device that’s connecting to it. It’s free, there’s nothing to download, and you just activate it in My Account.
SuperSafe protects a specific device wherever it’s online, fighting viruses that try to infect your devices and securing your banking and shopping. It’s a software you download onto any mobile tablet or computer.
Keeping your children safe online matters!
43% of children aged 12-15 own their own tablet. That's why we support Internet Matters.org for all the advice and resource you need to protect your children online.
Our top priority is protecting our customers. That’s why we've introduced an authentication requirement to use sites which we know are regularly used by scammers to take control of our customer’s computers and steal from them.
If you’re a legitimate user of these sites, you can manage this yourself.
What websites are you filtering?
We are filtering websites that customers tell us scammers are using. If you have seen a message with this logo when trying to visit a site, then this means customers have told us scammers are using this site.
We're aware that scammers may find out which pages we are authenticating and change them. To combat this, we are constantly reviewing our scam protection list.
How do I turn Scam Protection Off?
If you find yourself working from home and have to use remote desktop applications like TeamViewer, Anydesk or Remote Desktop Manager, and you have Scam Protection already enabled on your line and you're sure that the service you want access to is genuine, then follow these steps to turn it off;
- Log into MyAccount
- Select Offers & Upgrades from the navigation menu
- Select My Packages & Upgrades from the dropdown menu
- Select My Security Settings
- In the HomeSafe section, Select OFF and confirm when you see the pop up window
If you've tried this and still cannot access then you can Contact the Community.
If someone has called you claiming to be from TalkTalk and you see the Scam Protection page then this is a scam as TalkTalk will NEVER ask you visit one of these sites. Even though scammers use these websites to trick our customers they can also be used legitimately. The websites that are included in HomeSafe Scam Protection are those used by scammers to remotely access your PC.
Kids Safe is part of our free HomeSafe® package designed to protect children online. We've made this feature easy to control via My Account so you can adjust it to your family's needs.
What types of websites are blocked?
Kids Safe offers nine categories of websites, allowing you to easily block some or all of them. When you activate Kids Safe, you’ll see prompts to help you decide which categories to block. Sites unsuitable for under 18’s include: Dating, Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco, Gambling, Pornography, Suicide, Self-Harm, Weapons and Violence. Other sites include file sharing, games and social networking. We regularly review the websites in our categories, but if you feel a website should be added then let us know.
How do I block or allow specific websites?
As part of the Kids Safe feature of HomeSafe® you have a range of ways to filter, block and allow different types of websites to be viewed in your home. You can control this feature in My Account, by selecting My services in the drop-down menu then View HomeSafe settings
Kids Safe categories
There are 9 categories shown on the right that you can choose to block or allow as part of Kids Safe. By selecting categories in the list, you'll be blocking websites that fall into that specific category, for example, if you activate the Gambling filter, websites such as www.national-lottery.com and www.betfair.com will be blocked.
Once you've chosen your website categories, click the blue Save Changes button to confirm them.
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Please take care to enter the exact web address you want to block or allow, including the ‘www.’ if it begins with this. If the address is entered incorrectly, this feature won't work.
Allowing specific websites
You can make sure your favourite websites are never blocked by adding them to your list. For instance, you could activate the Gambling filter but still access the National Lottery website. Simply add this website address to your list, and click the allow button which will be highlighted in green as shown on the right.
Blocking specific websites
If there are specific websites which are currently accessible but you want to be blocked (for example www.match.com) simply add them to your list and ensure you select the block button next to each one. This will be shown in red, under Block. Confirm any changes you make by clicking the blue save changes button and your new settings will take effect within 2 minutes.
We've made this feature easy to use via My Account. Select My Security Settings from the navigation menu. Then, switch Homework Time to ON and confirm your change.
What happens when someone tries to access a blocked site?
When you try to access a website that is blocked by Homework Time, you'll see a TalkTalk branded blocking page. You can simply return to your previous page by clicking the Back button on your browser.
The blocking page will give you the following options:
- Change your HomeSafe® settings via My Account (this requires the account holder to log in).
- Report a wrongly blocked website to us.
Will all social media and gaming websites be blocked?
Although no system is 100% failsafe, Homework Time will help block most of these websites. We can't currently block websites that are accessed via a secure login or URL (usually beginning with https://). We are exploring what other security features we can add to HomeSafe® in the future.
Virus Alerts ensure that every computer or device connected to your TalkTalk broadband can be better protected. This is thanks to the warning system, which lets you know when a website you're trying to access is infected with a virus and advises you not to continue.
How do I switch Virus Alerts on?
You don’t need to download or install any software, simply go to My Account and select My Security Settings from the navigation menu. You'll see the Virus Alerts box, which can be switched ON by selecting the button.
How are Virus Alerts different from anti-virus software?
PC/ Mac security software can be tricky to install, may slow down your computer and only provides protection to the PC or Mac you’ve installed it on.
Our Virus Alerts provide protection for all the devices connected to your TalkTalk home broadband, like games consoles, tablets or smartphones. It's also quick and easy to set up, with no software to install, and won't slow your computers or devices down.
If I have Virus Alerts, do I still need anti-virus software?
Our Virus Alerts complement anti-virus software, so for the best security, we recommend both. Virus Alerts protects devices like tablets which can't use anti-virus software, whilst anti-virus software keeps your PC/ Mac protected outside your home and allows you to remove malware (harmful web content).
If you're looking for anti-virus software, why not consider the TalkTalk Super Safe Boost?
Will Virus Alerts prevent all viruses?
Unfortunately, no security service can guarantee this, because it takes a while to spot new infections. As soon as we find and recognise them, you'll be protected.
How will I know when Virus Alerts have detected malware?
You'll see the TalkTalk warning page with instructions on what options you have
You can manage your HomeSafe® settings in My Account , simply select My Security Settings from the navigation menu.
To turn HomeSafe ON
You'll have the choice to activate Kids Safe, Homework Time and Virus Alerts. To do this you’ll need to click the ON switch (which will be highlighted green when active). It’s important when switching on Kidsafe and Homework Time that you confirm this setting by clicking the blue save changes button. Please note: it will take a few minutes for your changes to take effect.
To turn HomeSafe OFF
HomeSafe® protects your whole home online over every device connected to your TalkTalk broadband.
To keep you safe online we strongly recommend you keep Homesafe switched on, however, should you need to switch it off for any reason, follow the steps below.
- Log into My Account
- Select Offers & Upgrades from the navigation menu
- Select My Package & Add-Ons from the dropdown menu
- Select My Security Settings. Here it will show you what is currently turned on/off
- Choose your area’s to switch off next to any of the three options. For Kids Safe, you'll see a prompt asking if you're sure you want to switch it off. Simply click the blue button (Turn Kidsafe OFF) to confirm, and allow a few minutes for your changes to take effect.
Here is a summary of what each category does.
- Kids Safe offers nine categories of websites, allowing you to easily block some or all of them. When you activate Kids Safe, you’ll see prompts to help you decide which categories to block.
- Homework Time gives you the option to block sites such as gaming websites that commonly distract your children. The default settings will block the websites between 16:30 hrs and 18:00 hrs or you can set your own time period anytime between Monday to Friday or 7 days a week.
- Virus Alerts ensure that every computer or device connected to your TalkTalk broadband can be better protected. This is thanks to the warning system, which lets you know when a website you're trying to access is infected with a virus and advises you not to continue.
What can't HomeSafe do?
Unfortunately, no web filter can be 100% foolproof, so here are a few examples of things that can happen.
- Some videos and images that don’t have an accurate description may get through.
- Mobile apps and VPNs may not be recognised and therefore can’t be blocked.
- HomeSafe can’t detect viruses hidden in files you receive or download to your computer – but you can use SuperSafe to do this.
- HomeSafe uses TalkTalk DNS servers to operate our filters. They can’t do their job if you’re using a third party DNS server (like OpenDNS or GoogleDNS).
Having trouble switching HomeSafe off? Visit HomeSafe Troubleshooting for further help.
Remember this is network-level security, if you want extra protection for up to 10 PC/Laptops then you can add Super Safe Boost
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