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.

Technorati Tags: Bypass, Internet Filter, protection, proxy

Internet Filter Bypass, Internet Filter, protection, proxy

When you are trying to keep your family and children safe on the internet, one of the best resources you can have is a good internet filter. Now, you may have an internet blocker already installed on your computer, but how truly effective is your internet blocking software? Honestly, what is the point of having the software if there are loopholes in internet blockers?

 There are a couple of key differences in internet filters and internet blockers, and one of these differences is the mere fact that loopholes and bypasses exist in most internet blocking programs. Internet blocking programs generally tend to focus on keywords and vague guidelines, like site content ratings that are similar to television and film ratings.

 However, many websites and end users have found ways to slip through the structure set up by internet blockers. For example, sites can now mask their keywords, and the majority of websites – particularly those that contain sexual or violent content – simply are not rated. In addition, many computer-savvy web surfers are now using what is called a “proxy,” which is basically a website that acts as a server for blocked sites, to bypass internet blockers. Because the internet blocker reads the proxy as a reliable and safe page, it doesn’t realize that illicit content is being accessed through that portal.

Other loopholes in internet blockers can be found in the software itself. Unfortunately, many of these programs can be uninstalled very easily, and many of them use passwords to manage the account. Most web development professionals will tell you that passwords are an increasingly unreliable means of security – they are easily guessed, can be changed by someone who only has minimal personal knowledge of you, and oftentimes can be bypassed altogether. Additionally, most internet blockers that use passwords do so because they allow the administrator to set various levels of access for different users. There is a huge loophole inherent in this system – blocked users simply log off of the blocked account, and log on as a different user.

Internet filters work in slightly different ways. While these kind of programs also scan pages for keywords and content ratings, they use many different filtering techniques, and their guidelines are often more strict about what is acceptable. The major problem with this is not that users can access content that is blocked, but that many users have trouble accessing good content.

 However, there are internet filters available that will offer you all of the benefits of complete protection without the pitfalls. Clean Internet is a solid choice for internet filters. Clean Internet is unique, in that they are acting as a proxy server, only in reverse. You’re getting all of the good content and none of the bad.

 In addition, they offer foreign language and URL filtering, and their sophisticated filtering algorithyms ensure the safety of your family and children online. There are no bypasses – the software cannot be uninstalled without a call to tech support – and everyone receives the same level of protection. With Clean Internet you won’t have to worry about the loopholes in internet blockers, because they simply do not exist.

Technorati Tags: content ratings, internet blockers, internet blocking software, Internet Filter, Internet Filters, loophole, proxy, savvy web surfers

Internet Filter content ratings, internet blockers, internet blocking software, Internet Filter, Internet Filters, loophole, proxy, savvy web surfers