Internet Safety and Security

You may not want to believe it, especially if you are a school computer administrator, but most kids know how to bypass a school internet filter. (Hey parents, if they can do it at school, they can probably do it at home too!) There are varieties of methods they use, ranging from simplistic bypasses to highly intensive scripting work-arounds, including:

• Using a proxy server or proxy website. The proxy acts as a portal for blocked content, and will often mask the blocked website’s IP so the internet filter program does not know it is supposed to be blocked.
• Searching for keywords in foreign languages. Many internet filters do not recognize multiple languages, and thus, cannot block these keywords.
• Typing https:// before the website address, instead of just http://, which is very simple, but something that will baffle internet filters that do not block certain types of internet protocol.
• Using a remote desktop. If the home computer is usually on and connected to the internet, and does not have a filter, kids will use a remote desktop program to access the internet through that computer, similar to a proxy.
• Running command prompt to PING certain websites, a method that will usually circumvent internet filters.
• Downloading programs from the internet that will automatically bypass internet filters.
• Hacking the internet filter program itself, to change settings or set up bypass shortcut keys.

Of course, most administrators of school computer systems have caught on to these tricks, and set up blocks against them. However, installing an internet filter that cannot be bypassed in the first place will save your organization a lot of time and money, not to mention headaches.

Unfortunately, many of the internet filters available to schools do not have features like that, but there is one, called Clean Internet, that offers service to businesses, schools, and churches, and that cannot be uninstalled or bypassed by the end user – something that most networking internet filters are not designed to do.

In addition, Clean Internet offers complete protection, by using a combination of filtering techniques, including keyword filtering, URL filtering, foreign language filtering, and dynamic filtering. Their program also filters all kinds of internet protocol, like instant messengers, chat rooms, peer-to-peer file sharing networks, and email. Moreover, because the Clean Internet system works as a proxy server itself, it blocks access to proxy servers and proxy websites.

If you are a parent, teacher, or school administrator, of course, you are concerned about student safety, and one of the easiest ways to ensure that your students are safe on the internet, is to install and utilize a good internet filter. Stay informed about the way students use the internet – or try to use the internet – and set up a system that will offer the best protection.

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Internet Filter Bypass, Internet Filter, protection, proxy

Ask the majority of children from the age of 4 what the internet is and they will not only tell you, but they will demonstrate to you on how to use it. Because of this, the issue of Internet safety and security is on the forefront of parents minds.

The internet is a wonderful place, yet it can also be a dangerous place. Internet safety is a concern that every parent should be aware of and be thinking of some form of internet protection implemented. This will be one of the most important decisions made in their own house holds.

Internet safety is for all ages. Whether you are a child just learning to move a mouse and type on a keyboard, a teenager who knows there way around the internet, or the adult that is responsible for all the minds in their homes.

Safety on the internet is extremely important. It is all about the things you can see, the people you can meet, yet not know who they really might be. The internet can take you places of wonder, yet it is of utmost importance that children are informed and guided in the dangers that they may face while surfing the web.

There has been many a young person who has been violated while they were innocently roaming the internet. There are an increasing number of predators that will gain access to your computer to steal personal information, bully you and introduce you to filth that ought not to be seen.

Would you allow your child to surf in waters that are known to be shark filled? I dare to say you would not. Then why allow a child to surf the internet without protection from the sharks online that seek to destroy their young minds?

What do you do? You invest in a “shark cage”. Having your own shark cage is not a luxury, but a necessity in today’s world. There are different types of “shark cages” available online. Some are a type of monitoring system. Is this right for you? This type of software is considered to be the “Oops! Too late now.” It is comparable to turning on the 6:00 news and hearing about your child getting mauled by a shark and you would be too late to do anything about it.

A good internet filter is a better solution. This would be more like a shark cage that can withstand the likes of a great white shark. In this computer day and age, children are smart. The shark cannot get in, but what will stop the child from getting out?

The use of an internet filter coupled with a monitoring system is the most effective way to control your internet usage. This type of system will stop accidental misspellings that will take you to a dangerous site and the intentional attempts to get around the filter. You can avoid most of the dangers of the internet with a product like this.

There should also be communication with all who use the internet, the fact that the computer is being filtered and monitored should be known to all who use it. It is a great help knowing you are being watched. This will guide and direct you in not trying to get by with something accidentally or intentionally. This is a way to instill good behavior and not catch someone after the fact. The use of a good filter will aid in the turning away from temptation, and increase the safety guidelines set out by you. Internet safety and security is a growing concern for all that use the internet.

Technorati Tags: Children, danger, Internet Filter, parents, predators, protection, Safety

Internet Safety, Internet Security Children, danger, Internet Filter, parents, predators, protection, Safety

Protect kids online with these tips

These ideas can help parents deal with cyber-bullying, predators and porn.

By Melissa Healy

January 26, 2009

Last week, the Supreme Court quietly let die a federal law dubbed the Child Online Protection Act, which made it a crime in the United States to post sexually explicit material on the Web for commercial gain without making provisions to block kids from gaining access.

A lower court in Philadelphia had struck down the law, arguing that parents could already shield their children from such material by installing Internet filters. Bush administration lawyers had appealed, countering that less than half of parents use such filters, leaving children in need of the laws protection. It was an argument the justices declined to take up, dismissing the case.

The legal wrangling underscored a long-standing truth about kids and the Internet: No matter how ill-equipped they may be, parents are their childrens last line of defense against smut, cruelty, adult predators and the poor judgment of youth online.

Installing Internet filters can be an effective block against pornographic images. But for many parents, they are daunting technology that can limit adults — and kids — legitimate searches as well, including those for information on sexual health.

They also are a poor defense against cyber-bullying and sexual solicitation on social networking sites.

Smart moves

Following are tips from the National Assn. of School Psychologists on protecting your kids online, even if your own online skills lag behind theirs.

Keep computers in easily viewable places, such as the family room or kitchen.

Talk regularly with your children about the online activities in which they are involved and Internet etiquette in general. Children should know the rule that many adults have learned from painful experience: Do not say online what you would not say in person.

Encourage children to be self-protective. Remind them that anything they say on the Internet or in phone text messages can be shared with others and misused. Ask them to consider if they want what they are saying and doing broadly disseminated. If not, they probably should not say or post it.

Be specific about the risks of cyber-bullying and their need to tell you if something that bothers them occurs.

Respect for adolescents privacy is important. But tell children that you may review their online communications if you have reason for concern.

Set clear expectations for responsible online behavior and phone use and consequences for violating those expectations.

Consider establishing a parent-child Internet use contract.

Consider installing parental-control filtering software or tracking programs but do not rely solely on these tools.

Be aware of warning signs that might indicate your son or daughter is being bullied, such as reluctance to use the computer, a change in the childs behavior and mood, or reluctance to go to school.

Document the bullying.

Be equally alert to the possibility that your child could be bullying others online, even if unintentionally.

Understand current local laws and your school policies. Work with your school to develop policies if they dont exist.

If you have concerns, contact your childs school to enlist the help of the school psychologist, school counselor, principal or resource officer.

File a complaint with the website, Internet service provider or cellphone company if you learn of problematic behavior.

Contact police if the cyber-bullying includes threats.

via Protect kids online with these tips – Los Angeles Times.

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Protecting Children Children, computer, Filtering, health, help, Internet, Internet Filter, Internet Filters, network, Online, parents, predators, privacy, protection, service, web

In today’s tech savvy world there are an increasing number of households obtaining Internet access and more than fifty percent of the households have more than one computer with Internet access.

With that said, implementing an Internet flitering tool in your PC has become a necessity in the home environment for child protection.

If you are a parent, you know that inappropriate material and potentially dangerous websites run rampant on the Internet. Just as you would protect your child from dangers on the street, the same rings true for the Internet, so an Internet filter is a must have for protection against offense and inappropriate content.

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of Internet filtering and the types of websites that can be blocked by the use of an Internet filter.

• Pornographic Material: A good Internet filter will block websites that promote pornographic material which will prevent you from worrying about your child accessing objectional subject matter.
• Violence and Hate Crimes: Internet filtering will block any inapproriate material promotes violence or hate crimes.
• Instant Messaging: Instant Messaging is a primary tool that online predators use to masquerade as someone else. An Internet filter will block all Instant Messaging chat programs and allows you to select the chat programs when you want to use them.
• Web-Based Email Sites: A Web-based email site is a site that offers a free email account. Some of these sites include Yahoo, Gmail (Google), and Hotmail and most of these sites have an Instant Messaging tool as well. These sites are frequently used by spammers and online predators. An Internet filtering tool is effective for protection against predators and prevention from being exposed to onjectionable material that often is communicated through spam.
• Websites That Promote Drug Use: There is a host of sites on the Internet that will explain how to obtain drugs as well as how to use them once they are in your hands. An Internet filter is a useful tool for blocking these types of sites.
• Websites That Promote Terrorism: There are websites that provide step-by-step instructions on how to make a bomb or perform a cyber-terrorist threat. An Internet filtering tool is beneficial in blocking these objectionable sites.
• Objectionable Game Websites: Many of the online games that are avilable contain objectionable and violent content and are offered for free. In addition, many of these websites have an online chat feature where predators can hang out and mask themselves as a child. Internet filtering is capable of filtering out these sites.
• Social Networking Websites: Social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook are infested with online predators as world news has so clearly pointed out to us. It is possible to block these sites throught the use of an Internet filter.
• Piece Of Mind: This is the final and most important benefit of using an Internet filter and knowing that everyone in the household is protected from offensive and inappropriate content.

The Internet can be an exciting and useful tool for communications and research, however, there is that one side that forces us all to protect ourselves. There are a host of different types of Internet filtering products on the market you should look for one that has filtering and monitoring built in together like Clean Internet.

Technorati Tags: Children, computer, danger, Filtering, filtering tool, instant, Internet, Internet Filter, myspace, network, news, Online, predators, prevention, protection, web, Websites

Internet Filter Children, computer, danger, Filtering, filtering tool, instant, Internet, Internet Filter, myspace, network, news, Online, predators, prevention, protection, web, Websites

Children, whether at school or home, will try to bypass web filters that are placed between them and the internet. Not all, but most have either a rebellious streak (remember yours) or a curiosity that will kill the cat.

Internet filtering has become big business for some companies, providing parents with peace of mind. But, is that peace justified?  Are there ways for children to bypass internet filters without their parents knowing?

Ask a teen. They will tell you that there is more than one way to bypass most filters. Maybe they catch you typing in the password for them, maybe they use a web proxy to bypass the school filter, whatever way, some ingenious little bugger at school will figure it out and tell all his friends.

In particular web based proxies have been a problem for most internet filters.  There are new ones created on a regular basis. Some free speech and children’s rights advocates believe they are doing children a favor by allowing them to bypass the protection a loving parent has provided for his or her child. It is much like purposely leaving the back door wide open while the parent deadbolts the front door and thinks all is well.

That is why you need an Internet filtering service and not just free software. First of all, the free internet filters can’t keep up with the ever changing internet. They have little or no budget for continued research and monitoring of new sites. You need a team of professionals, whose job it is to monitor what’s going on and daily make the changes needed to protect your children online.

An internet filtering service that combines filtering, monitoring, reporting and continued research and development is the only thing that is going to help. Clean Internet is one such company. In business for over 10 years, Clean Internet is company that knows where the internet has been and where it is going. Protect your kids today with a reliable filter that doesn’t have password that can be compromised and won’t let web proxies bypass the internet filter.

Clean Internet, click here to find out more.

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Internet Filter Bypass, Children, Filtering, help, Internet, Internet Filter, Online, parents, protection, report, service, web, web filter

It doesn’t matter how many precautions you take to protect your home, you are still in danger of a home invasion. You could have the best trained guard dog. You could have armed security on the premises.
You could purchase an anti-intruder security system more sophisticated than the one that protects the C. I. A. headquarters in Langley, Virginia and you would still be in danger of a home invasion.

The home invasion I am talking about will not be perpetrated by a burglar while you are at work or on vacation. I am not referring to someone who forces his way into your house, ties you up, and takes your property while you are watching. As traumatic as these events would be, I am talking about something that could have even farther reaching consequences and that could wreck havoc on you, your family, and everyone you care about for years to come.

In some cases, the consequences could reverberate for a lifetime. I am talking about a home invasion through the Internet. The only truly effective way to protect your home from Internet invasion is through a multi-level Internet filtering system.

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Internet Security danger, Filtering, Internet, Internet Filter, protection

A new internet watchdog has been launched to help protect children from “harmful” web content, such as cyber-bullying and violent video games.

The UK Council for Child Internet Safety UKCCIS brings together social networking sites and technology firms.

It aims to teach children about web dangers, target harmful net content and establish a code of conduct for sites featuring material uploaded by users.

Gordon Brown said the move was a “landmark” in child protection.

BBC NEWS | Education | Childrens web watchdog launched.

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Internet Safety Children, danger, help, Internet, network, news, protection, Safety, web

Microsoft has reported sightings of exploitation of the recent vulnerability in IE7 on various porn sites. This isn’t really bad news, since no one looks at such improper things on the Internet, right?

According to an article posted late saturday night on Microsoft’s Threat Research Blog, approximately .2% of all worldwide users have been exposed to exploits against the data processing vulnerability, and the exploit is now appearing on pornography sites. If Microsoft’s numbers are correct, that means millions of systems may have been freshly compromised over the past few weeks. I would be surprised if we don’t see an uptick in the knock-on effects of more compromised systems, including higher levels of spam and credit card fraud.

Since there is no patch for the IE problem as of right now, your best bet is to use an alternative browser such as Firefox, Opera, or even the Windows version of Safari. Remember, when you are browsing strange websites, it is important to use protection.

Technorati Tags: Internet, news, Pornography, protection, report, web, Websites

Internet Filter Internet, news, Pornography, protection, report, web, Websites

When the internet first came out it was a novelty that most people could live without.  Today for many families it has become a necessary evil. 

I tried for a long time to remain internet free because of the risk that I felt it posed to my family.   Year after year more and more of my day to day work required me to be online checking e-mail  or on company intranet.  My health benefits, pay, and 401k are now only accessible online.  We also home school our three children and the internet plays a very large role in supplementing our curriculum. 

Several years ago I realized that I needed a way to keep the internet in my home safe.  In order to do that I would need an effective way to protect my family from all the garbage that goes with it. 

A friend told me about internet filtering, pointed me to Clean Internet and I’ve been a customer ever since.  The program is simple and easy to use.  I’ve tried other programs and found that they slow down your speed, block things that shouldn’t be blocked, and require a password that you generate for protection (how safe is that?). 

Clean Internet doesn’t slow your speed down a bit.  You’ll forget it’s there until the filter blocks porn.  This is one of the few software applications that I have found that is everything it’s cracked up to be!  If you want to protect your family online, use the internet filter from Clean Internet.

Technorati Tags: Children, Filtering, health, Internet, Internet Filter, Online, protection

Internet Security Children, Filtering, health, Internet, Internet Filter, Online, protection

The Internet is a powerful research and communication tool; however, it contains an enormous amount of information that can be offensive to adults, and unsuitable and sometimes downright dangerous to children. There is a large amount of explicit, but legal, material on the Internet. There are bomb recipes, hate speech and obscene language, all mixed in with political, legal, educational and sports-related resources. The Internet is not owned or regulated by one particular place or person; therefore, anything can be put up on the Internet despite the objections of others. By simply connecting to the web anyone can have instant access to countless pornographic and explicit websites and other websites dealing with hate, violence, and terrorism. There is no universal definition of what is objectionable and what is decent, and children are exposed to ‘objectionable’ material on the Internet everyday. Fortunately there are measures that parents can take to prevent this from happening.Protecting Children online has become a growing industry during the past few years. Internet filtering software identifies and blocks unsuitable content on the Internet, and prevents it from being shown on the screen. No filtering software can be 100% effective, but the best web filtering software successfully blocks out the most undesirable sites, while letting though the more begin sites.
Clean Internet provides protection to children, teenagers and adults who are vulnerable to the negative effects of objectionable material available on the Internet.

The effectiveness of filtering software differs from one program or service to another. While some of them are simple plug-ins for Microsoft Internet Explorer and offer basic filtering of a manually maintained list of URLs, others offer a rich set of features and come with large built in database of white-listed and black-listed websites.

One of the most important attributes an Internet filter program can offer is an easy-to-use design, making it possible for people with all levels of computer experience to easily install and use the filter to its fullest capacity. The most useful Internet filtering software offers reports on what each family member has been doing on the computer, which includes websites visited, chat room activities, and Internet programs used and so on. These log files can be sent daily to a specified email address. In this way parents can monitor their child’s internet activity even when they are away from home.

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