By TalkTalk offers HomeSafe, SuperSafe and CallSafe technology with their broadband and home phone packages. Find out how they work and how they compare to each other.
In the UK, TalkTalk currently offers three security solutions together with their home broadband and home phone service.
All TalkTalk customers are offered HomeSafe and CallSafe at no extra cost. HomeSafe is a network-level web filter that blocks access to inappropriate websites, whereas CallSafe screens incoming phone calls to stop unwanted and scam calls from getting through.
In addition, you can add the SuperSafe Boost to get downloadable security software that you can install on up to 10 devices. This includes anti-virus software that’s powered by F-Secure along with a password manager and device-level parental controls. The SuperSafe Boost costs £4/month on Fast Broadband and £2/month on Fibre 35 and Fibre 65. It’s included at no extra cost for customers on Fibre 150.
In this article, we’ll look at TalkTalk’s three security solutions. We’ll start with a comparison of the three services before looking at each individual service in more detail.
Contents
TalkTalk Security Solutions
In the UK, TalkTalk currently offers a choice of broadband plans, starting from £26 per month:
| Service | Download Speed | Monthly Cost (will rise each April by £3) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
 Fibre 35 | 38Mbps average download | £26.00 per month No upfront fee 18 month contract | See deal |
Fast Broadband | 11Mbps average download | £26.95 per month plus £15.00 upfront 18 month contract | See deal |
Fibre 65 | 67Mbps average download | £28.00 per month plus £4.95 upfront 18 month contract | See deal |
Fibre 150 | 145Mbps average download | £35.00 per month plus £9.95 upfront 18 month contract | See deal |
When you sign up to TalkTalk, you’ll be offered three security solutions. All TalkTalk customers will be offered HomeSafe and CallSafe at no extra cost. Meanwhile, the SuperSafe Boost will normally cost an extra £4/month. However, as a special offer, TalkTalk are currently offering this for £2/month on Fibre 35 and Fibre 65, or for free on Fibre 150.
The following table shows the key things to know about TalkTalk’s online security solutions:
| HomeSafe | SuperSafe Boost | CallSafe | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
| What is it? | A web filter that blocks access to inappropriate or malicious websites on your home network. | Downloadable security software for up to 10 devices. Includes anti-virus and password manager. | Screens incoming calls to your landline to stop unwanted callers getting through. |
| Price: | Included with all TalkTalk plans | Normally £4/month | Included with all TalkTalk plans |
| Best Offer: | – | £2/month on Fibre 35 and Fibre 65 Free on Fibre 150 |
– |
| Technical Requirements |
|||
| Requires installation: | No | Yes | No |
| Devices: | No limit | Up to 10 devices | N/A |
| System requirements: | None | Windows Mac iPhone Android |
None |
| Works on-the-go: | No | Yes | No |
| Further Information | |||
| More information: | TalkTalk HomeSafe | TalkTalk SuperSafe | TalkTalk CallSafe |
For more information about each individual service and how it works, continue reading on through the rest of this article.
TalkTalk HomeSafe
All TalkTalk broadband customers will now receive access to TalkTalk HomeSafe at no extra cost. This is activated and managed through your TalkTalk online account and comes with three key features:
- Kids Safe: HomeSafe stops inappropriate content from being accessed over your home broadband connection. There are nine different categories of website and you can decide which ones to allow and which ones to block.
- Homework Time: HomeSafe allows you to restrict the hours where it’s possible to access social media websites and gaming websites on your home network.
- Virus Alerts: If you’re visiting a website that might be infected with a virus, an alert will pop up advising you not to continue.
Because the HomeSafe controls are implemented at the network-level, it will automatically protect every device that’s connected to your home network. However, it’s fairly limited in that you aren’t able to set individual controls for each device. It also won’t work when you’re on-the-go (e.g. when you’re using 4G mobile data on your phone). It also won’t scan the individual files you download (e.g. if you were to download a virus from your email).
For the HomeSafe feature to work, you’ll need to be using TalkTalk’s DNS servers. If you’re using a mobile application or a VPN service, this may also prevent HomeSafe from working correctly.
For more information about HomeSafe, see TalkTalk’s official website.
TalkTalk SuperSafe Boost
The SuperSafe Boost (also known as TalkTalk Online Defence) is normally available as a £4/month add-on for TalkTalk broadband customers. However, it’s currently being offered at half price when you sign up to Fibre 35 or Fibre 65. Alternatively, it’s included at no extra cost on Fibre 150.
With the SuperSafe Boost, you’re getting security software that you can download and install on your devices. It’s provided by F-Secure and has the following key features:
- Antivirus and malware protection. The Online Defence software will protect your computer against viruses, ransomware, phishing scams and malicious websites.
- Password manager. The built-in password manager will allow you to securely save your passwords and to input them automatically into relevant websites and apps. This makes it easier to keep your account secure.
- Parental controls. You’ll get parental controls that operate at the device-level. This means you can set individual controls for each device. They’ll also continue to work when you’re out and about as it doesn’t rely on being connected to your home Wi-Fi network.
- Mobile anti-theft protection. If you’re using an iPhone or Android, the software also includes anti-theft functionality. This will allow you to locate your device and to lock it remotely if it gets lost or stolen.
With the SuperSafe Boost, you can use the online defence software on up to 10 devices. It’s compatible with Windows and Mac computers along with the iPhone and Android devices.
There’s more information about the SuperSafe Boost on TalkTalk’s website.
TalkTalk CallSafe
TalkTalk’s CallSafe is another security feature, designed to block unwanted nuisance calls on your landline. It’s included on all TalkTalk home broadband and home phone packages at no extra cost, but you’ll need to dial 1472 to switch it on.
If you enable CallSafe on your landline, incoming phone calls will be screened for you based on the number that’s calling.
- Anyone who you regularly call (e.g. friends and family) or anyone who is on your approved list will be connected straight away.
- Unrecognised callers will be asked to leave a short message identifying who they are. Only once they’ve done that, your phone will ring, the recorded message will play and you’ll be given the option of whether to take that call.
- Blocked callers and known unwanted callers will be stopped before your phone even rings.
The following diagram from TalkTalk’s website illustrates the flow of how CallSafe works:
If you’re a TalkTalk customer, you can enable the CallSafe feature by dialling 1472 on your phone. You can also manage your CallSafe lists through 1472 or by logging in to your TalkTalk online account.
There’s more information about the CallSafe feature on TalkTalk’s website.
More Information
For more information about TalkTalk’s security features, please see TalkTalk’s official website.
Cynthia Raggatt said:
Received a call today from a doctor – pressed one to accept, doctor tried a second time – pressed one again nothing! Contacted talk talk they said everything is working with our broadband but it is the telephone we are having problems with. Went into my account went to log out but couldn’t get where I usually log out. Tried getting into my account again and it would not accept old or present password tried both!
Please help