How does filtering software work

They can restrict specific file types from being downloaded from untrusted websites. Browsers have become a conduit to not only the cloud, but also to innumerable distractions hosted on the web. To ensure that users do not fall prey to such distractions, IT admins can restrict users to authorized websites only during office hours.

Or alternatively they can restrict distractions like social media websites or popular gaming websites during office hours. Either of these methods can help improve user's productivity. With Browser Security Plus' web filter, IT admins can enforce safe browsing policy to endpoints, ensuring that users do not land on malicious websites while browsing the web. Browser Security Plus' web-based management console allows IT admins to log into the product from anywhere and apply web filtering policies to users as and when required.

Browser Security Plus' web filter feature ensures that users cannot circumvent the restrictions enforced by IT admins regardless of their physical location. The web is filled with malware and other attack vectors laying low, waiting to take advantage of users' slip ups and distractions.

While browsing the web, users sometimes accidentally land on a malicious website infected with malware, leading to compromise of sensitive enterprise data. With Browser Security Plus' web activity tracking feature , IT admins can get a good idea of which sites are unnecessary and needs to be blocked. IT admins can deny access to websites that are not needed in the organization. IT admins can define groups for sites using categories like social media, video streaming, productivity, business, etc.

Groups like social media and video streaming can be blocked to ensure that user productivity doesn't drop. Follow the below steps to block websites in your network. Step 4: Enter the websites or website group that you wish to block. Click here for steps to create website groups. This feature allows access only to sites that are an absolute necessity for business.

Filtering software packages which use site blocking have a list of sites which they won't enable access to. This list ordinarily consists of obscenity and other potentially offensive sites. The list of sites are drawn up by the software provider, although usually there is a possibility for the software purchaser to add to it. Updates to this list of sites can usually be downloaded regularly from the software provider. Filtering packages working on this principle can also be set up to allow access only to a list of certain sites.

Some of the software packages will likewise enable you to edit the list of 'prohibited' sites. Increasingly, filtering software packages work on both site blocking and keyword blocking. A current improvement has been the creation of web rating systems. These systems really incorporate into the website pages and web browsers themselves.

How does filtering software work through this system has websites being rated in terms of the nudity, brutality, sex, and language used. A wide variety of industries and organizations will use web filtering tools to blacklist websites that they consider to be unsafe, unproductive, or otherwise inappropriate for their users to access.

The web filtering features of content-control software are used to enforce internet use policies by proactively blocking websites and applications. While the software used for blocking applications and filtering websites by these organizations works the same, the motivations they have for using it will vary. In the following sections, we will break down the most common reasons that schools, libraries, and private businesses use web filtering as part of their operations.

A web filter blocks access to websites based on the URL, domain, IP address, or content category of the website. The most common websites to block are those with content that is offensive, inappropriate, or high-risk. Schools and businesses use web content filtering software to block access to enforce acceptable use policies, prevent their users from accessing certain content, and reducing web security risks by blocking dangerous websites. As a network administrator, Joe is responsible for maintaining the network infrastructure of his company.

Recently there have been complaints of high latency on the network leading to lost VOIP connections and difficulties using the internet. After blocking access to Netflix with BrowseControl web filtering software, Joe reported the inappropriate use of technology to the department manager. Zayn has noticed a serious decline in employee productivity in his office.

As part of his CIPA compliance requirements , Tyler uses a web filter to help protect his underaged patrons from accessing age-inappropriate visual content. As a librarian, Tyler is passionate about ensuring that his patrons have access to the resources they need to perform legitimate research. Because of this, Tyler has ensured that his web content filtering solution is easy-to-use so that everyone on his staff can disable the filters for specific users on request.

She uses strict internet access controls to protect the sensitive personal health information PHI of patients against internet-based threats such as malware and unsanctioned cloud storage sites.

The use of internet filtering tools is a hot topic in the EdTech space. The key debate surrounding content filtering in schools and libraries is this: are web filters too restrictive? Schools and libraries are in the tough position of determining how to implement content filtering in a way that balances intellectual freedom with the desire to protect networks against malware while also preventing their underaged internet users from accessing age-inappropriate content. Under CIPA, schools and libraries are required to implement content filtering technology that is designed to prevent underaged users from viewing inappropriate content on the internet.

Because schools and libraries that do not implement an internet filter for CIPA compliance are ineligible for highly sought-after discounts on critical internet and telecommunications technology, the use of web filters is naturally highly prevalent.

While the intention of CIPA is to block underaged users from viewing inappropriate visual content , there is the potential that an overzealous implementation of filtering technologies will inadvertently block patrons from accessing legitimate research. To maintain a balance between ensuring intellectual freedom while simultaneously preventing access to objectionable content, the filtering software used to block internet access in libraries and schools must allow designated staff to easily disable the internet filter for a specific user after a request is made.