Content Filtering & Blocking Websites Tips
Read these 9 Content Filtering & Blocking Websites Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Computer Monitoring tips and hundreds of other topics.
How Effective Are Internet Content Filters?
Internet content filters are not 100% effective in blocking unsuitable content from your children. You may find that certain filters will not block offensive content or that the filter will not allow you to access websites that you do want to visit. To help avoid this, many Internet content filters use a combination of White Lists, Black Lists and filters. As a result of using these lists:
- White Lists are the most effective at blocking offensive material but are the most restrictive; and
- Black Lists, when used with a content filter, are the most popular and they tend to block most of the unsuitable content while allowing access to most of the appropriate content.
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.
What Sites Should I Be Blocking?
You always want to be ahead of the game when it comes to blocking websites. Do some searching on your own by searching in a search engine for innocent words that you wouldn't think would pop up harmful information. Will you be surprised with the search results for "Barbie"? What happens when you search for the latest CD by the rock band, "Bare Naked Ladies"?
Once you have a list of websites you feel are not suitable for a youngster, use the website blocking software to block those sites from showing in your web browser. You can also use keywords to block certain webpages as well, however you have to be careful when using this method as you may end up blocking a lot of potentially legitimate and safe sites.
Blocking Websites - What Can I Use?
Client Tip: There are a couple of different options when it comes to blocking websites.
First, if you are using Internet Explorer as your browser, you can use its Content Browser. To do this click on Tools, then Internet Options. Now, click on the Content so that is the active tab. Here you will find a button that says "Enable". When you click this button you are brought to a new window with a new set of tabs. Click on the tab that says Approved Sites. Here you can supply websites and set the to "Always" viewable or "Never" viewable.
Another option is to use software that will allow you to block websites. This is basically done in the same fashion as the Content Advisor, by adding website address to the program and specifying whether or not they are allowed to be viewable.
Routers, which are networking devices can also provide you with an option to block websites as well.
Taking a nonchalant approach to blocking websites these days if you have small families using the Internet is not a wise decision. There are far too many websites containing adult images and information that are accessible to anyone. If you feel you do not have the ability or knowledge to do this affectively then seek advice or help from someone who can.
Content Filtering in Schools
As a parent you have a right to know what your kids are using the Internet for at school, and how the schools are monitoring their activity. Ask to speak to the computer lab teacher or even the principal to see if you can sit at one of the terminals when there are no classes being taught to see the websites kids can get to. Or perhaps you can get a copy of all of the school blocked sites. Ask to see a copy of the computer usage policy. If there is no policy or permission slip for parents to sign before their children access the computer, then there should be. School is supposed to be a safe place for kids to be. Let's make sure that it remains that way.
Reviewing The Results
So now you have your software configured and ready to start recording information as it takes place on the computer. But what do you do with the information once it is recorded?
First and foremost, do not underestimate your child's curiosity. So many times parents have been so shocked to learn that their children are doing things they never they never would have imagined on the Internet. Take a look at the information and determine if there are in fact any issues that stand out and need to be addressed immediately. Porn blocking software, if configured properly, should yield results if adult sites have been viewed.
If you find that you have children who are viewing inappropriate material, sit down with them and let them know that you have been monitoring their computer usage for their own safety and the dangers that could come about by viewing such content on the Internet. Some consequences may be required based on the severity of the issue such as the removal of the computer for a period of time, or perhaps the disconnection of Internet. Be prepared for some angry children as some might see this as an invasion of privacy, but all parents would agree that an angry child is a safe child!
Always keep your Porn Blocking Software up-to-date with the latest software patches, version upgrades, or bug fixes as they become available. As the world of porn, viruses and spyware evolve, so do the software packages that keep them out of your computer.
Should I Be Concered With Content Filtering?
An adult living on their own or perhaps with another adult, but without children, may not have a need to restrict access to certain sites, or to block certain sites from popping up.
Public places that have Internet terminals such as libraries, hot-spots, schools, community colleges and other establishments that provide Internet access to the public, all have a responsibility to protect their users from browsing inappropriate content. Content filters should be set up for places such as these.
With the widespread availability of broadband Internet, it is all too easy for a child, student or employee to be tempted into viewing unsuitable content putting themselves at risk as well as the organization or person offering the service.
Internet Service Providers And Internet Content Filtering
Software programs for filtering unwanted websites are readily available in stores and on the Internet. All have documentation that will assist you in the basic configuration of the software. Don't be discouraged however when the software does not block all content. Having more that one type of protection is always a good idea to help the fight against "non-family oriented" websites.
There are a number of "family-friendly" Internet service providers that offer numerous levels of filtered access for different age levels in the house. Be sure to check with your ISP to see if Internet Content Filtering is available to you!
If Internet Content Filtering is not available to you through your ISP, or you feel that you should have another option, WebWatcher has superior Internet Content Filtering functionality. Filter such things such as crime, hate groups, pornography, illegal drugs, promotion of non-medical drugs, on-line gambling and violence and enjoy your Internet experience.
What is Content Filtering?
Client Tip: Content filtering is the ability to block websites that you feel may contain offensive material such as images of sex, violence or strong language or hate speech. There is no effective filtering on the Internet itself, so people have to use content filtering software to mange this themselves. Internet Browsers have built-in functionality that allows you to set some restriction on what kind of content can be viewed, however this is not a fail-safe solution, only a little bit of help.
If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer, you can use its Content Advisor to restrict access to websites that are:
A) on a list of acceptable sites that you create or
B) have rated themselves using a rating standard and which meet content criteria that are set by the user.
To switch on Content Advisor, open Internet Explorer, select Tools, then Internet Options, click on the Content tab and then click on Enable.
Some Internet Service Providers have content filtering options. Check with your provider. It is always good to have a backup solution to your Content Filtering package.
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