Types of Content Filtering

It is true that Internet has made our life easy and simple. It is a heaven of information. But that simply doesn't mean all good information. You might be surprised to know that Internet is a very big market for pornographic industry. It does have negative effects and it completely depends on the user how he sees the vast information and how he uses it. This is when internet filters needs to be implemented. Internet filters / web content filters / content filters, whatever you call them, their main objective is to protect Internet users from inappropriate Internet content. Help protect children against pornography and other content which is not appropriate for them.

Content filtering is crucial in terms of helping employers and system administrators to keep offensive or unwanted material. There are many types of content filters to meet the needs of all users. Whether you want to protect children or protect your office or business from certain types of unsavory sites, there is a content filter for you. most of these content filters are customizable to meet specific need of each user.

Client-Side Filters

These filters are installed directly on users computer. It is password protected can only those with the password can change or edit filter settings. Others have to just work with implemented filters. They do not have any right to change settings or privilege of any other kind. In this case, a user (with the password) can customize implemented filters to meet certain or specific need or requirement. This type of filter is best for homes or businesses that need to filter only certain computers or sets of computers. But in case if it is a large network or organization, then this filter doesn't fit in the requirement.

Content Limited ISPs

As the name suggests, these filters are enforces and created by the Internet Service Provider. These filters are not specific to a user or a group but it is applicable for every user who ever uses the service service provided by them. Along with filtering websites for inappropriate content, these filters do monitor emails and chat traffic. And accordingly blocks users or websites. Some Content Limited ISPs prevent any chat or email messages from anyone except other users of the same ISP.

Depending on your service provider policy, the ISP may allow you to choose what types of content to filter from which users. The most prominent drawback of this filtering is that it is the ISP who determines what is and isn't appropriate for viewing or browsing.

Server-Side Filters

The server side filters affect each and every user in the network. These filters are generally applied in large institutions, Businesses and organizations. It is utmost beneficial to businesses and organization. Business owners set and apply one filter for all computers and users. The business owner or the network administrator can completely customize these filter to meet their needs. Majority of the settings are already there by default, , but businesses & organizations or network can change them depending on the affected users. Server-side filters install on a central server computer, which connects to all other computers on the same network.
  

Search-Engine Filters

Search engines like Google, Bing, Yahoo! etc. provide additional security filters to all the users. When a user turn these filters on, the search engines results content which is safe for browsing. All the inappropriate content and text is blocked automatically. But someone who already knows the URL of a site featuring sexually explicit content could still access it without using a search engine. Some search engines like Yahoo! & Lycos offer kids oriented filters as well. When these filters are turned on, the results that appear are minutely checked and scrutinized if they are appropriate for kids. This type of filter can be beneficial when you are trying to avoid sites known to contain viruses or pornography that may use misleading descriptions to entice you to visit.