Internet Safety and Security

Some people may wonder what the difference is between any regular internet filter and a Christian internet filter, but for most Christians it is important that the company that provides their internet filtering service shares their values and beliefs.

When you think about it, this really makes a lot of sense. After all, how do you know your ideas of what kind of content is inappropriate or objectionable and what the filter blocks are compatible? Moreover, what good is an internet filter that doesn’t block the content you want blocked?

Christian families need effective internet filtering to protect their children, and their marriages. It is sad, but true, that as many as 47% of Christians say pornography is a problem in the home (Internet Filter Review, 2006). A good internet filter can be the first line of defense in safeguarding your home against sexual brokenness and sexual predators.

It isn’t only families that need such internet protection, though. Many churches and Christian schools have internet access, and utilize the internet for research, communication, and even outreach. Christian small business owners often use the internet for business. However, most internet filtering companies do not offer services to businesses or churches, and the few programs that service schools can be easily bypassed and usually are not suitable for use in a Christian learning environment.

Nevertheless, there is at least one solid, reliable, Christian internet filtering company – Clean Internet. Simply put, their internet filter allows the good and blocks the bad. Using a sophisticated filtering algorithm, Clean Internet can block objectionable content on all the major internet protocols, including chat rooms, instant messenger programs, peer-to-peer file sharing networks, and popup windows. In addition, they utilize foreign language filtering so that keyword filtering cannot be bypassed by entering keywords in foreign languages.

Because of Clean Internet’s dynamic filtering system, the filter cannot be bypassed, and with its secure installation, it cannot be uninstalled without calling tech support. This is a very important feature that most other internet filters simply do not have. Clean Internet also uses a flexible platform, so you can choose a filtering solution that is client-based, server-based, or a combination of both, and ensure that you receive the protection you want. Additionally, Clean Internet will not slow down your computer or download connection, which is an important consideration for small businesses, churches, and schools.

Another great feature of Clean Internet is its compatibility with Windows – it works with 95, 98, 2000, XP, and Vista (most others still don’t support Vista yet), and with Macs (through proxy servers). Their service is also compatible with pretty much any internet connection, including dial-up, DSL, cable, and wireless, which means your laptop computer will receive the same level of protection at a wireless hotspot as it does through your home network router.

Conclusively, Clean Internet is a great choice if you’re looking for a Christian internet filter. Their filtering service offers a higher, more dependable level of protection for your family, church, school, or business than other programs, and you will be working with and supporting a Christian company that shares your values and beliefs.

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More children than ever before are “plugged in” to the internet, and with all the benefits that this offers, there are dangers as well. After all, nearly half of all kindergarteners and first-graders use the internet for homework projects, to play games, and to communicate with relatives or friends that live far away. And while you may monitor your child’s internet use, without an effective child internet filter, they can still be exposed to violent, pornographic, or other objectionable content.

For older children, there are even greater risks to using the internet. Older children, particularly middle schoolers and high-schoolers, are more likely to use the internet to chat with friends (or strangers), have online profiles that include photos or personally identifying information, or to engage in imprudent, questionable, or illegal activities. In addition, older children are more likely to downplay or underestimate the risks to their safety, their emotional or mental well-being, and even to their futures, from their online activities.

An effective child internet filter should block access to unwanted content while allowing access to appropriate content, and it does this in a variety of ways. The most common method is keyword filtering. Search engines and other internet entities use keywords to identify and classify websites, but this is not foolproof. Thus, your filter should use a filtering algorithm that will utilize several filtering methods. Clean Internet, a reputable Christian internet filtering company, offers keyword filtering, URL filtering, dynamic filtering, and foreign language filtering.

Clean Internet also works on all internet protocols, an important factor in any internet filter. This means that you can monitor or block your child’s access to email, instant messengers, chat rooms, popup windows, and peer-to-peer file sharing programs. Popups and file sharing programs are the two primary ways in which children are exposed to unwanted content. Additionally, email, instant messengers, and chat rooms are the usual mediums that predators use when trying to communicate with children. If this communication is unmonitored, it only increases the risk of children being sexually, emotionally, or otherwise victimized – both by strangers and people they know in real life.

Of course, nothing is perfect, and internet filters are no exception. However, they are a very helpful tool for parents trying to monitor and protect their children online. One of the best child internet filters is Clean Internet, which was mentioned above, mostly because of the filtering features they offer, but also because it is one of the few systems that will not slow down your computer, and that is compatible with practically any system or internet connection. Clean Internet is also the only filter this author has come across that cannot be uninstalled or bypassed by the end user – a really great feature for parents who may not be as tech savvy as their kids. In short, Clean Internet is a solid choice, but particularly for those who are looking for a filter to protect their families.

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