Content Filtering

A content filter is specially designed software that prevents users from viewing specific material found on the Web. While understandably controversial, it has been increasingly embraced by the business and private sectors alike. For businesses, unsuitable surfing can consume massive amounts of network bandwidth and lead to decreased productivity, loss of intellectual property/proprietary information, legal liabilities, and of course, computer viruses.

Content filtering should not be confused with "site blocking," which filters content by working in combination with a master database of approximately 5 million websites, organized into over 100 categories such as gambling, shopping, file sharing services, and adult content. Content filtering technology can actually monitor and filter all content from the Web, email, Instant Messaging, Word, PowerPoint and all Windows applications.

Utilizing a massive library of terminology, content filtering software compares inappropriate words and phrases to those originating from the content of the Web browser. While receiving, accessing or even sending content, a user's data is instantly analyzed, and then, if appropriate, filtered, blocked or captured.

Two primary categories of web filtering technology exist: database filters and dynamic filters. Dynamic filters examine web pages as they are requested and instantly establish whether the content violates predetermined criteria; it then blocks the requested web page if necessary.

Database filtering works a bit differently. Users' web page requests are instantly compared to a database containing URLs' previously classified unsuitable by website category (adult content, gambling, etc). If the user is requesting a web page from an unsuitable category, the request is blocked.

However, businesses aren't the only ones who can benefit from content filtering. Families who are concerned about the material their children have access to can buy smaller, less sophisticated software for their home computers. Most come with pre-set monitoring functions that allow you to customize filtering to meet your family's needs.

The Web is a powerful tool that can greatly improve people's lives and the effectiveness of any company. However, the implications of misuse are hard to ignore. Whether you're a business owner concerned about the bottom line or a concerned family member protecting your children, the right content filtering system will make all the difference.