How Do Filters Work?

There are 3 basic components to how Internet content filters work: 1. Black Lists - A black list is a list of websites that are commonly known to carry unsuitable content for public viewing. The filter will compare the website to the black list and if there is a match found, the website will be blocked and access will be restricted. 2. White Lists - These lists are the opposite of black lists. White lists contain addresses of websites that have no trace of unsuitable content. 3. Content Based Filters - These filters will search a webpage before it is present to the user. They will scan for keywords, phrases, and/or pictures with a large percentage of flesh colored photos. If the content found does not match the acceptable viewing level set by the filter, the user will be denied access to that webpage.