Since the content of web-pages is full of various advertisements and invalid text and images, the content filter is able to correct this situation. If the threshold of forbidden words on the site exceeds the permissible, then it will be impossible to view it. A similar registry of inappropriate content is constantly expanding. The developers divided it into categories: pornography, drugs, extremism, etc. However, the user can customize the filtering to fit his needs. It remains to consider how the Internet content filter works and what software (software) can be used.
Major Internet Threats for Children
Since almost every child is able to access the World Wide Web and see prohibited material, parents and teachers need to think about filtering content. What threats are highlighted when visiting a web resource?
- Advertising redirecting to "adult" sites.
- Unlicensed software.
- Sites with material infected with viruses.
- Phishing web resources.
- Sites with extremist material.
- Resources with uncontrolled content, which include: social networks; media hosting; games with online access; file sharing; forums and chats.
Many users are familiar with most of the threats presented. However, the essence of phishing sites should be clarified. These include resources that in their characteristics resemble the original. However, their function is to obtain the identity of the person.
The developed filtering software differs in the way it works:
- Address Lists
- category register;
- grouping "on the fly";
- categorization by the web resource itself.
Slow internet? Internet filter is to blame
Sometimes the best option for network security is a filter for school content provided by the provider. In this case, the educational institution will not be able to change the settings. The provider blocks as much as possible potentially dangerous information, as they say, just in case.
According to educators, this approach is absurd. The fact is that with such a lock, it is impossible to download safe and harmless material for conducting lessons. Things are even worse with the speed of the Internet in educational institutions. Teachers who are not satisfied with this state of affairs, either download the necessary material at home with the cost of personal time, or buy modems at their own expense and install them at school. In this whole situation, it is necessary to mention the presence of mobile Internet in almost every smartphone, both teachers and students.
What should the administration of educational institutions do in this case? Install paid or free programs that can filter suspicious content. In this case, children will not be able to visit prohibited sites, and teachers will be able to use educational material on the Web without restrictions.
School software
To protect children in educational institutions, the administration installs a special application. The content filter works differently depending on the type of software.
- Specialized children's browsers. Designed mainly for home use, as they do not allow children to view prohibited content. Configuring this software for other users is not possible.
- Standard operating system features. Allows you to protect a specific computer. Especially the parental control mode stands out here.
- Filtering offered by Internet providers. This includes online services equipped with the maximum blocking of potentially dangerous information.
- Software gateway. His work is based on the principle of a firewall. If it is configured correctly, then the Internet speed does not drop. Even non-professionals are able to serve him.
- Hardware and software system. Its function is to filter through network traffic switches. It is costly in the financial part to purchase special equipment and hire a professional for maintenance. Mostly they use it in private schools.
For educational institutions, experts advise using a software gateway. However, it is important to understand how to choose it and which supplier to contact.
School filter specifications
In order for the content filter for the server to work as quickly and efficiently as possible, you must select it according to the following characteristics:
- Developers of such software should collaborate with the administration of educational institutions.
- The system must be certified by FSTEC.
- Inclusion in the package of services not only technical support, but also the opportunity to train staff of the institution.
- The software gateway should work differently depending on the category of users: student, teacher, school guest, administration.
- The ability to edit whitelists and create a schedule for visiting web-resources.
- The most significant advantage is the analysis and filtering of social networks. This will allow you to control visits to dangerous groups and children's surfing without using mobile Internet on your smartphone.
Internet censor
What content filters can I use at school ?. First in line is Internet Censor.
He is able to block resources that are potentially dangerous to the health and psyche of students. The basis of his work is the inclusion in the white list of safe content. Developers manually entered into the program verified useful domestic and foreign sites. In this case, the child will not be able to change the settings or hack the system.
This software is successfully used both at home and in educational institutions, libraries, Internet cafes, etc.
Netpolice
The list of the best content filters for educational institutions includes this system. A high level of security is provided due to the optimal combination of 2 technologies: URL- and dynamic cleaning of prohibited information.
This filter is able to simultaneously check which category the content belongs to (allowed or dangerous), and also analyze the content of the resource. Users are able to set a black and white list. In addition, the program allows you to edit the registry of forbidden words when entering them into a search engine.
Skydns
A common and popular content filter for educational institutions with Internet access for children.
His work is based on blocking access to the site until the transfer of prohibited material. The administration of educational institutions is enough to configure an Internet gateway or Wi-Fi point indicating the blocked categories in your account on the developer's website.
The presented program has a lot of advantages. Particularly attractive is the ability to set a schedule for visiting the Internet and creating a white list, filter the contents of banners and ads with the ability to analyze the situation and send reports to the administrator.
ChildWebGuardian PRO
This program allows you to analyze the viewed content of web pages. The main function of such software is to filter out inappropriate content so that the end user cannot view it.
Among the main functions of the presented software are:
- the ability to analyze site content for invalid words;
- use of safe search in special systems;
- the presence of parental control;
- the ability to schedule Internet use;
- remote reboot and shutdown of the computer if necessary;
- recording the addresses of visited sites in a special journal and sending the report to e-mail;
- use of sites specified in the white list;
- control of the launch of gaming systems, etc.
"VIRO DNS"
Free software that contains a content filter and is suitable for all operating systems. If you study the roots of the appearance of "VIRO DNS", then, in fact, it is a licensed program for viewing banned sites. To ensure security, a filtering system through lists is used.
However, such a method is not always effective. The problem is that the time gap between indexing a site by search engines and blacklisting it is large enough.
Another snag is that there is currently no law in Russia requiring educational institutions to use content filtering.
To be sure of viewing the safe Internet, experts advise installing several systems with different methods of restriction and blocking.