| Filtering Software
A few ISPs offer a filtered service as a family-friendly product,
but usually adults who want filtering will need to purchase special
software as an additional item for their home computer. Suitable
products can be found in high street computer shops or downloaded
from the web, and there are now software products that combine virus
protection with control of Internet access. Norton “Internet
Security” is an example.
Some products come with the option of blocking access to incoming
information from the web, by e-mail or other methods of access,
and of blocking outgoing information, thus preventing children from
revealing personal information, trying to buy things with a credit
card, or answering questionnaires. Some of them make it possible
to block different applications (web, Instant Messaging, FTP, email,
chat, etc). “CyberPatrol”, “NetNanny” and
“CyberSitter” are examples of filtering software. http://www.cyberpatrol.com
, http://www.netnanny.com
and http://www.cybersitter.com
Some products use lists of banned websites that it refuses access
to, but this is difficult as the number and identity of undesirable
sites changes all the time
Other products may allow access only to an approved list of sites,
but to block all but a limited selection of positive sites excludes
a huge range of good sites and useful information.
Products may also use filters based on keywords that make it impossible
to access pages containing certain words relating to topics such
as drugs, violence, sex, etc. The problem is that the software often
forbids access to pages that are inoffensive simply because they
contain the banned words. The software is not sophisticated enough
to be really effective and distinguish between legitimate and harmful
use of words.
Filtering products may be part of a solution to harmful content,
for four main reasons.
· Some users say that it is not easy to install the software
on your PC and then amend the settings to suit your own values and
children.
· The software reference files must be updated regularly
(usually done online) because the Internet keeps on changing, with
new sites appearing every day.
· Filters vary in their effectiveness. They often over-block,
restricting access to perfectly respectable and useful websites,
and under-block, failing to stop other pages that are harmful to
children.
· The initial cost of purchase, and the ongoing cost of updating
the software files in subsequent years.
Adults therefore have to keep a close watch on kids and their usage,
looking out for undesirable files or odd activity (such as Instant
Message boxes popping up) on the computer. Talk to your children
about any problems they report, such as accidentally coming across
pornography or unwanted advertising. Helping to teach them how to
deal with unpleasant things that happen and to avoid hazards may
be the most effective ways to encourage safe surfing.
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