Introduction
Internet filters are software tools that can help monitor
web content viewed on a particular computer or network. In the case of family
safety settings, Internet filters can also help parents manage who kids can
communicate with or how long kids can use the computer. Internet filter
is a software solution, commonly known as a content-filtering solution or web
filtering solution that is designed and configured to make decisions on the
type of the sites and content on those sites the users are allowed to visit.
The content filtering device decides on what content should be made available
to the user and what shouldn't be. The reason to have such a solution is
basically to have a kind of internet censorship on the users using a particular
system where the software is installed. Initially these kinds of solutions were
normally used in home environments where the parents would like to have control
on the content available to their children while they are browsing the
Internet. Basically to keep the children away from pornography, violence,
terrorism, etc.
Later on the
internet filtering took on a whole new leap and was realized to have potential
for corporate internet control and later on even country level internet
control. Organization around the world saw the benefits of internet control as
a way of limiting the sites that users can navigate to during their work hours.
This served the dual purpose of preventing the employees from wasting their
work time on entertainment and personal work and protection of the corporate
network from the malicious content that the users might visit accidentally
while browsing the web.
The internet
filtering tool a whole new censorship meaning when countries across the world
started adopting the filtering technology at the ISP level and at the internet
perimeter of the country to block certain unwanted sites. A good example would
be the blocking of pornographic sites in some countries where it is considered
illegal to view such content.
Purpose of Filtering
For many years the Brethren have warned us of the dangers
that accompany the Internet, and have counseled us to employ some technological
barriers to the unending flow of filth that permeates the otherwise wonderful
and extremely useful virtual world of the Internet. Recall President Hinckley’s
warning in 2002, when he said: “Guard your homes. How foolish it seems to
install bars and bolts and electronic devices against thieves and molesters
while more insidious intruders stealthily enter and despoil”, or more recently
when Elder Oaks told us in April conference, 2005: “We must also act to protect
those we love. Parents install alarms to warn if their household is threatened
by smoke or carbon monoxide. We should also install protections against
spiritual threats, protections like filters on Internet connections.”
A common question
that arises is whether Internet filters really work. The answer depends on what
you are attempting to accomplish with the filter. If you are attempting to
prevent accidental access to inappropriate content, then most filters can be
considered successful.
Many filters also
have other features, such as time controls, chat logging, reporting and other
useful capabilities. All of these features help keep our family safe, and help
provide us with more information regarding how our computers are being used.
From this perspective, it would be safe to say that filters work.
One of the
unfortunate side-effects of installing a filter is the false sense of security
that it provides. Most teenagers can get around just about any filter if they
really want to, and parents need to know how this is done so they can watch for
the warning signs. Also be sure to use the tools that the filter provides, such
as usage reports, blocked site reports, etc. A filter is not a silver bullet,
and it is not a set-it-and-forget-it solution.
Increasing
individual accountability is one of the most effective ways of filtering
content. It is a good practice to place the computer in a public place, and to
limit the use of the Internet to times that others are around. Windows Vista/7
and Mac OS X offer time limits on internet access, as do most filters. Many
home routers now also offer availability schedules for protecting non-computer
devices.
The only foolproof
filter is, as President Faust once explained, the personal moral filter:
"As the traffic on the communications highway becomes a parking lot, we
must depend more and more on our own personal moral filters to separate the
good from the bad."
Types of filtering
There are various kinds of
filtering techniques that are employed:
Host based filtering
Through this technique software is installed on the system by the administrator and rules are configured according to the needs of the administrator.
Now when the normal users try to browse internet and the browsing activity is in violence of the rules that have been set by the administrator, the content will be blocked and the user shall not be able to view it.
Server side filtering
This methodology is normally adopted by companies and organizations at the gateway level. The company can install a hardware or a software that is capable filtering traffic at the gateway level and rules would be configured that will apply to all the users inside the company network.
Content Filtering at the ISP level
Many internet service providers now days are providing such a service at some additional cost along with the internet link.
The companies and organization who do not wish to invest in their own gateway level content filtering device can go for this option and notify the ISP of their content filtering conditions. Based on those conditions, the ISP would filter the traffic at the ISP level itself.
Content filtering is also done at browser level as well, but this methodology is not as effective as the other three options. The reason is that users can change the browser settings and by pass the filtering that has been set through the browser.
Client-Side vs. Server-Side
Client-side filtering is installed directly onto the PC like
any other software program. From there, it monitors Internet activity, blocking
inappropriate content. Both home users and businesses can use client-side
Internet filtering. Server-side filtering typically resides on the company
server, controlling access for all connected computers. BusinessFilters.com
warns that server-side filtering isn't very customization making a client-side
solution more viable. While both may utilize the same blocking or filtering
tactics, client-side software typically has more customization, a broader
feature set and more frequent updates.
Black & White List Filters
Blacklist filtering, according to Geeks.com, is one of the
more popular methods, because of its ease of use. This type of software
requires the parent or administrator to manually enter websites deemed
inappropriate. After the website is recorded by the software, further access
will be denied. White-list filters use the same principle, just in reverse. This
much-stricter method requires the parent or administrator to specify websites
that can be accessed instead of ones that can't. In other words, this method
filters out the majority of the Internet, allowing access only to specifically
pre-determined websites.
Keyword and Content Filters
Keyword and content filtering software takes a similar
approach to black and white-list filters, only filtering out websites with
specific words or pre-defined content. For example, a home Internet filter
might offer to filter out pornographic content. The software will then try to
determine, through the words used on the site and previously data-based information, whether a specific site is pornographic. If so, the user will be
denied. According to Geeks.com, this method is often ineffective, because it
tends to block legitimate websites misinterpreted as inappropriate. Conversely,
if the keyword or content filter is set too low, it may allow unwanted content
through, unable to recognize the site for what it is.
Types vs. Methods
While both client- and server-side Internet filtering are two
different types, within those types there are methods that specify just how the
software goes about filtering content. Understand the methods, such as
blacklisting filters and keyword filters, is important to making an informed
decision about what to buy. In other words, knowing whether a filter is client-
or server-based isn't enough. You should also find out the method used and
evaluate whether that's the right method for your family or company.
Internet Filtering in different country
Internet Filtering in Australia
In Australia internet filtering has only recently been discussed as being
implemented by the Australian Government (Foo, 2008). Whilst Australia at the
time of writing does not have a national internet filtering policy, parents
were able to filter the internet in their own homes using software subsidized
by the Australian Government. Foo (2008) quotes Senator Conroy who stated,
"With less than 150,000 filters accessed or downloaded and only 20 per
cent of these still in use, the program has clearly failed.". This failure
of parents to filter the internet in their homes is outside of the scope of
this paper but the lack of uptake and continued usage shows that filtering of
undesirable content is not being implemented on an individual level.
Filtering in the form that the Australian Government was considering is
one of the first that can be considered a democratic decision of the people to
implement filtering. (Bambauer, 2008) The Australian filtering program is
unique due to it being part of an election campaign policy. Thus filtering can
be implemented by law rather than using informal pressure on internet providers
as in the United Kingdom. (ibid) Since obtaining government the scope of the
filtering program has changed from unlawful material being filtered to also
incorporating content that is considered unlawful. (ibid) It is the broadening
of the scope that has drawn interest and raises concerns on what is considered
filtering and when the filtering constitutes censorship.
Depken (2006) comes to a conclusion that,
"..those with kids, who are married, who are older, who use the
internet for religious content, who work in the public sector, and who think
pornography or privacy are the predominant issue concerning the Internet tend
to favor Internet censorship."
Whilst this conclusion is true not all people fall into the categories
mentioned thus demonstrating that not all people are in favor of censorship.
Australia is one of the first Western countries to formally and legally
implement internet filtering nationally, whilst claiming to protecting their
citizens from inappropriate content. The writings have not been conclusive in
determining if all filtering is censorship. The Australian model demonstrates
the lack of distinction between filtering and possible crossing into censorship
due to policy forming part of an election campaign in a democratic election
without a clearly defined agenda. The issues of when a country protecting
content crossing borders should be allowed but government but is a free manner
with defined courses of request for access. In the case of Australia, the
government does have the right to filter the internet but the way in which
filtering is implemented must be carefully done with openness so it cannot be
constituted as censorship.
Internet Filtering in the People's Republic of China
Internet
censorship in the People's Republic of China is conducted under a wide variety of laws and
administrative regulations. There are no specific laws or regulations which the
censorship follows. In accordance with these laws, more than sixty Internet
regulations have been made by the People's Republic of China (PRC) government,
and censorship systems are vigorously implemented by provincial branches of
state-owned ISP s, business companies, and
organizations.
The censorship is not applied in Hong
Kong and Macau, as they are special entities recognized by international treaty
vested with independent judicial power and not subject to most laws of the
PRC,including those requiring the restriction of free flow of information.
China started its Internet censorship
with three regulations issued by China’s central government. The first regulation
was called the Temporary Regulation for the Management of Computer Information
Network International Connection. The regulation was passed in the 42nd
Standing Convention of the State Council on 23 January 1996. It was formally
announced on 1 February 1996, and updated again on the 20th of May 1997.
The content of the first regulation states,
“No units or individuals are allowed to establish direct international
connection by themselves.” (Item 6) “All direct linkage with the Internet must
go through China-net GBNet, CERNET or CSTNET. A license is required for anyone
to provide Internet access to users.” (Item 8) The second regulation was the
Ordinance for Security Protection of Computer Information Systems. It was
issued on February 18th of 1994 by the State Council to give the responsibility
of Internet security protection to the Ministry of Public Security, which is
entitled to “supervise, inspect and guide the security protection work”, and to
“investigate and prosecute illegal criminal cases” (Item 17)
The Ordinance regulation further led
to the Security Management Procedures in Internet Accessing issued by the
Ministry of Public Security in December 1997. The regulation defines
"harmful information" and further lists five kinds of harmful activities
regarding Internet usage, “ (1) Intruding in a computer information network or
making use of network resources without authorization; (2) Canceling, altering
or adding functions in a computer information network without authorization;
(3) Canceling, altering or adding data and application software for the purpose
of memory, processing, or transmission in a computer information network
without authorization; (4) Intentionally producing, disseminating destructive
software such as a computer virus; (5) Other activities that are harmful to the
security of a computer information network.” (Item 6)
Internet filtering in Bangladesh
An
intelligence agency in a report submitted to the home ministry suggested that
the government should monitor activities on social networking such as Facebook
and Twitter round-the-clock 'so that any evil axis cannot hatch conspiracies by
launching campaigns against the government on the sites.'
Evaluating the recent unrest in the
Arab world and Middle East countries, the agency put forth a number of
suggestions in the report 'Analysis of the impact of the political crisis in
Arab world on social and political situation of Bangladesh.' The hoe ministry
sent to report to other ministries on May 22.
The report
analyzed the use of information technology in Egypt's upheaval which became
popular as 'generation text' and it warned the government of such a situation
and suggested the round-the-clock monitoring of Facebook and Twitter 'so that
no evil axis can hatch conspiracies by campaigning against the government.'
The report also made some suggestions
on local issues which could trigger public unrest such as managing traffic
congestion by making roads off-limit to rickshaws and evicting hawkers from
footpaths.
It also emphasized making warm the
relations with Middle Eastern counties so that the market of Bangladeshi
manpower remains stable.
Senior home
ministry officials said the copies of the report had been sent to ministries of
food, energy, expatriates' welfare and communications.
At a meeting of the cabinet committee
on law and order on January 26, intelligence agencies also suggested that the
government should monitor web contents. The suggestion was made after several
incidents of violence in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Earlier on
May 30, 2010, Bangladesh blocked access to Facebook after satirical images of
the Prophet Muhammad and the country's leaders were posted online.
The intelligence agency suggested that
the government should mobilize public opinion against the opposition's possible
attempt of evil politics centering on price spiral and the shortage of gas,
power and water. The agency also called for creating a good relation with
newspapers and the electronic media.
The report also stressed the need for
a single spokesperson for the government to limit scopes for misinterpretation
of the government's position.
In the wake of uprising in the Middle
East, the agency called for ensuring energy security by exploring petroleum and
modernizing energy production and distribution and by importing petroleum from
countries outside the Middle East and OPEC members.
The report also suggested that the
government should arrange employment of expatriate workers who were forced to
return home for the turmoil in the Middle East and other countries.
How internet filters work
Internet Safety for Schools
Internet
Filtering Product Guide Schools' and parents' concerns about safe surfing have
created a market for products that allow Internet users to control the kind of
content they receive on their computers. These various filtering solutions all
deny access to a manually created and maintained list of Web sites, called a
"not" list. These products rely on vendors' keeping up with the
proliferation of "not" sites and adding them to their restricted
list.
The major
development that has changed schools' filtering requirements is the growth of
sophisticated school network infrastructures, linking hundreds or thousands of
computers. Any filter that has to be downloaded, installed, and configured on
each computer on a large network is not a viable solution for schools with such
a network
Parental Control
Internet due to its
free nature contains information about each and every subject that you can
name. This huge bulk of information contains some inappropriate or
objectionable material like pornographic content, classified information and
textual or visual material that can be provocative. Research had shown that
most of the crimes in developed world are linked directly or indirectly to use
of internet. Watching or reading objectionable material can be extremely
harmful for the health and safety of your child and loved ones and it becomes
your responsibility to save them from this destructive content.
Due to the
distributed nature of internet it is very difficult to totally block a website
both for individuals and governments. This is where parental control features
help you. Parental control refers to special features that can be added to
Mobile phones, computer software, televisions, video games and other electronic
devices.
This basic purpose
of parental control features on these devices is to limit access to certain
information, surveillance and security reasons. Almost all the high tech
internet security programs such as antivirus software have the parental control
feature in them.
Like Norton is an
antivirus product from Symantec Corporation, it had got one of the best and
advanced parental control features. Similarly other antivirus software like bit
defender and kaspersky internet security have parental control features in
them. Along with that, Operating systems like Windows 7, Linux, Windows Vista
and Mac OSX have parental control features in them.
There are several
methods of implementing these features. For example to block a website on your
computer you can add that website to the blocked list of your operating system
or of antivirus software. Stand alone parental control programs are also
available in market. These programs are powerful enough to block any kind of
website from opening on your computer.
Parental control
software can even block or monitor the API in order to scrutinize internet
application like web browser or chatting software. You can also protect your
confidential information by using parental control software. To protect
sensitive information from being displayed on internet you can add specific
keywords such as passwords and pin codes to your blocked database.
The parental control
software will monitor the chat window and would intervene to block the flow of
information upon finding a match in the banned database. Parental control
software has self protection modules and have got passwords to stop
unauthorized access. On the basis of their working we can classify parental
controls in four categories.
Content
Filters
Content filters are
the most popular and basic kind of parental control. Content filters simply
block access to a website depending on its content. Specific websites or
content phrases are stored in database of filter and upon founding a matching
entry the access is blocked. Content filters can block images and even media
files. Content controls can also be applied on digital televisions to limit
access to certain channels.
Usage Controls
Usage controls are
more technical and sophisticated filters. They can be used in computers,
televisions, automobiles and music players. You can turn your television or
computer or internet off at certain time or control the volume of music player.
Similarly you can control the speed of your child's car sitting miles away and
know exactly where he or she is.
Computer Usage monitoring tools
Computer usage
monitoring tools are specifically designed for computers. They are often
incorporated inside an internet security suite or an antivirus program. Stand
alone versions of computer monitoring programs are also available. Such
features are also available in operating systems such as windows seven, windows
vista and Mac OSX. These programs are used to block websites and protect
privacy and prevent leakage of confidential information.
Surveillance
Surveillance
programs have the same capabilities as spyware. Their basic purpose is to keep
record of all the activities being performed on a machine. Surveillance
programs are stand alone software that can be installed on any machine. For
that you have to be the legal owner of the machine or parents have the
authority to monitor their kids activities, if they are aged below 18 then
covertly and above that age by their consent.
Examples of
surveillance programs are key loggers and monitoring tools. This software is
designed to operate in stealth mode. They keep recording all the activities
that are being performed on a machine and make a log file of them. This log
file can be later viewed by the administrator or even can be e-mailed on his
Id.
Most of the
antivirus and internet security programs consider key loggers and monitoring
bots as spyware, you must be legally eligible to install such software on a
machine.
Conclusion
Either way
we go, there is always going to be a downfall to censoring the Internet. If we
let the government do it for us, we will not only be letting them take our
first amendment rights, but also our fourth amendment rights because the
internet does not stop at web pages. You will let the government see your
e-mail, and go into your computer, and see what you are looking at. If they can
take away our fourth amendment rights on the internet, which is to say they
won't start pulling over every car, and seeing what is inside. The alternative,
filtering programs are not efficient, and block too much information. The ideal
way to prevent children from pornography, and not get rid of all of the
information on the Internet would be the new system they are trying to organize
called Platform Internet Content Selection. What this system will do is make a
rating system for web pages, very similar to that of the T.V. each person in
your house hold will have a user id, and based on what the administrator
specifies on what ratings you can see, you will be able to see certain web
sites. The only drawback is who decides what material is objectionable, but
this will always be a problem. Censoring the Internet would be taking a huge
step back. The Internet is full of ideas, and things we can benefit from and we
should censor it.
- Overpowering the Goliath in Our Lives, President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, January 2002
- 2. Pornography, Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, May 2005
- 3. The Power of Self-Mastery, President James E. Faust, Ensign, May 2000
- www.securitysupervisor.com/security-q-a/parental-control/188-what-is-internet-filter (21 July 2011)
- www.ehow.com/list_6889202_types-internet-filters.html (21 July 2011)
- www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=4395 (21 July 2011)
- tech.lds.org/wiki/Internet_filtering_%28Family_Safety%29 (3 August 2011)
- bdosintmonitors.blogspot.com/2011/06/internet-censorship-bangladesh.html (1 August 2011)
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