What is Filtering Software?

A Consumers Guide for Best Filtering Software

These days all blocking software has “filtering” capabilities and filtering software has “blocking” capabilities, so they are seen as the one in the same.

What is Filtering Software?

“Filtering software” involves blocking certain web sites, internet activity and computer programs from being accessed by the user.  Or it may be that access is only during given time limits.  The software may have keyword alerts, meaning if certain words or terms are searched for, like sex, violence, nudity, drugs etc, it will block the user from accessing them.  This type of software comes under a few different names that generally mean the same.  Some of them are:

Parental Control Filtering Software, content filtering software, content filters, content blockers, control internet access software, filtering software, internet blockers, web filtering, web blocking and so on.

Who Uses Parental Control Filtering Software?

Blocking and Filtering Software is generally used for younger children who may accidentally come across inappropriate content or sites.  By nature filtering software is visible on a computer and users are aware it is there.  As kids get older most will use computers outside the home if they want to access certain sites, or try to bypass the filtering software (which is why it is important to have the best filtering software).  For older children this is where “monitoring software” comes in, as it can be set to only monitor, not block or filter, there by giving freedom to older kids/teens to use the computer appropriately, at the same time, for their own safety, keeping a close eye on their activities.

Internet Filtering Software for businesses is also popular to ensure employees do not waste work time on sites like face book, my space and other social networks.  It is also used in public places like libraries and schools to ensure unsuitable or illegal sites are not accessed and inappropriate content is not downloaded.

Blocking and Filtering Software “must haves”

Below are some essential features of blocking and filtering software.  Not all products come with all the below features, so it’s important to work out what features are most important to you before making your purchase decision.  Our Filtering Software Reports will tell you which software has which features making the process a lot easier.

Effective Blocking Capabilities

Blocking should be computer based and internet based.
Computer blocking can include the blocking of: Computer programs, games, software, documents, uploads and file transferring.
Internet/Web Blocking can include blocking: All major internet protocols, including web access, URLs, email, chat rooms, peer-to-peer (P2P) networks,  downloads, pop up windows and bulletin boards.
Make sure the type of blocking you get is not just blocking of certain websites but “keyword or contextual” blocking also, so you can block certain keywords from being searched for like pornography, violence or guns.  The best filtering software will allow you to block certain people/user profiles from chatting/messaging with the user rather than just blocking the whole website altogether.

Effective Data Filtering

Data filtering or “alert” word system will filter out the key words or content you personally set for it, this allows you control the type of content that is accessed by the user.  If no specific settings are given then you could find it extremely time consuming searching through all the recorded data to find your main areas of interest. It helps the system know what is important to you.

Scheduled Internet Access

Parental Control Filtering Software should  come with scheduled internet access. This allows you to choose when the internet and computer programs can be used, and for how long.  Very efficient with younger children.

Individual User Profile

If you have multiple users on the one computer this is a must. This allows you to customize individual filtering and time limits for each user of the same computer.  It helps offer a good balance between filtering objectionable material and not filtering too much content as the content filtering you set for an 9 year old will likely be different to a teenager using the same computer.

Client or Server Based

Depending on your needs, whether they be parental control or business use and what network you have, check to see if the software works better on either client (home computer) based, server (Proxy or ISP) based or both.

Activity Reporting and Alerts

The best filtering software offers customizable reports on what each individual user has been doing on the computer, including websites visited, keywords searched, chat room activities, IM conversations and more.
Alerts can be set to allow the program to alert you via email, text or some other method if certain alerts are breached.  This could be a user submitting personal information over the internet or doing searches on certain keywords or phrases like ‘how to make a bomb’

Remote Management

This ensures that you can customize and change the software settings through a remote server which is accessed via the internet.  This is useful if for example you are at work and your son or daughter rings and wants to spend some extra time on the internet but has been locked out as they have used their specified amount, you can then go online and change the settings from any internet access.

Often blocking a website can alert the user that something is going on behind the scenes. Sometimes this is what installer may want, and the users are aware the software is in place.  At other times they may want the software to be stealth (undetectable). The best filtering software doesn’t let the person know they are being blocked and may come up with a message saying the website is no longer there or the url is incorrect.  This will deter the user and they will move on to something else.

With proper supervision and internet filtering software for additional safety,  parents can keep their families safe from the ever-present threats from online use and help them enjoy the most educational and entertaining aspects of the internet.