Internet Filter Hardware

The Internet can be dangerous, but Internet content filtering can help to make the online world a safe, appropriate place for children and adults alike, blocking access to websites of questionable nature and ensuring that young eyes are not exposed to images and words that could be damaging. Families, schools, churches, and small businesses can all benefit from Internet filter hardware, servers that provide 24 hour protection from websites containing pornography, violence, racism and other offensive content. Kids can search the web safely, learning new facts, communicating with friends, and enjoying all that the online world has to offer and parents can rest assured that their precious charges are protected from images of sex and violence. Business owners and managers can install filtering devices on network computers to ensure that their employees are doing work rather than using Instant Messenger or browsing social websites. This kind of hardware can get the right results from online technology and eliminate the wrong ones.

Generally, Internet content filtering works in two different ways, both of which aim to bar access to inappropriate content. The first method is to compare site requests from a local computer to URLs that are known to be unacceptable; the second is to scan incoming data and to block certain keywords or other media. Most programs use both of these technologies--certain websites are blacklisted, while other unsuitable pages are caught by way of scanning. Many products allow users to customize their filter preferences by choosing which type of sites are unacceptable and by adding sites to the blacklist. This way, parents or business owners can prevent children or employees from looking at websites that are inappropriate, such as pornography, while enabling them to view pages that contain information they may need, such as scientific information about human reproduction.

Customization is one of the best aspects of the newer Internet filter hardware because master users can alter the filtering sensitivity for each computer user in their family or organization, allowing a higher level for young children without limiting the freedom of teenagers or adults. For example, a parent might choose to only allow a nine year old to view kid-friendly websites while allowing a teen full online access, minus sexual or violent content. Most filters list all the types of websites that may be blocked, allowing users to choose which ones to prohibit and which to leave open. Common categories for blocking may include abortion, drugs, gambling, illegal activities, tobacco, alcohol, personals and dating, religion, weapons, etc., and parents can choose to block other categories that they are concerned about. Users may also be able to block pop-ups, e-mail, chat, and Instant Messaging if these seem to be problematic for children or employees.

Parents should keep in mind that Internet content filtering is not 100% effective, and some improper web pages may be accessed either by accident or by smart kids who know how to get around a filter. While these products may be helpful and save parents a great deal of worry and hassle, there is simply no alternative to caring, attentive parenting; Internet filter hardware is not an online babysitter. Most people have heard the proverb, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6), but how often does this training amount to more than a list of rules or banned websites? The truth is that it is more effective to teach a child by one's words and actions to respect and honor women than to block online porn or to show him how to resolve conflicts peacefully than to turn off violent TV. Having honest, open, respectful communication with a child is more important than any website blocking hardware can ever be.

That said, Internet content filtering is still a useful tool for vigilant parents who want to keep their families safe from unseemly online content. The good news is that it is also affordable, often even offered for free. Interested persons should research the different available options in order to get a better understanding of how these products work and what they are capable of doing. Everyone's filtering needs are different; therefore, a wide array of products exists, each with varying features, strengths, and prices. Users can pay a one-time fee of $100, a monthly subscription of $50, or even a low $5 per month; free filters can be very effective, but may not provide all the features of a pricier option.

There are some drawbacks to using Internet filter hardware, such as reduced connection speed, which is a result of the product scanning requested websites for improper content. Also, the filter may be overly sensitive, blocking access to appropriate websites needed for work or school research. Most new products, however, eliminate many of these problems, boasting a connection delay less than 1/10 of a second, which is hardly worth worrying about. Plus, as previously mentioned, customization allows users to decide which pages or keywords are censored and to alter filter settings when necessary; if the online protection at any time becomes annoying or users need to make changes as children mature, most products make it easy for users to reset filter sensitivity and prohibitions. The benefits of Internet content filtering certainly outweigh any potential problems--the comforting knowledge that one's family is protected from exposure to pornography, hate crimes, and profane language is certainly worth the time it takes to work out a few quirks in the system.

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