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1 Features of the filters
2 Methodology used by the filters
3 Relative Strength of the Filters
4 Or use our Decision Tree
to make decisions based on what's important to you.
Comparison Chart:
| S4F Filterpak | CyberSentinel | Kidsnet | BSafeOnline | WeBlocker | |
| Automatic Server updates | Yes | No,Not Needed | Yes | Yes | No |
| Adult Password overrides | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| List Type | Blacklist | None | Whitelist | Blacklist | Blacklist |
| Heuristics | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Keyword Filtering | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Cyberpredator
protection (Chat/Email/Instant Msg) |
No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Internet Time Management | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Activity Reports | No | Yes | No | No | No |
Still can't Decide? Try our Sampler CD ROM
| Features |
| 1. Automatic Server Updates Definition: The filter manufacturer is has a team that finds objectionable sites, catalogs them, updates their servers and the software automatically updates with the new info without your intervention. It is impossible to be always 100% protected if you're required to type in objectionable words or sites, or if you have to download updates regularly. Knowing human nature it just won't happen. Ease of use ultimately means that the internet filter provider's server does the work, and professionally maintains the filtering capability. 2. Adult password overrides Let's face it. Internet filters are not just for kids. A lot of adults get trapped as well. The "adult administrator" feature is really little protection for someone intent on viewing objectionable content. To be really safe, get a filter that provides the capability for adults to NOT overide the filter! |
| Methodology |
| Perhaps the first thing to consider is the methodology used by the
filter in Question. White List Filtering - This method previews sites, adds acceptable sites to the white list (allowable list), and rejects all sites that are not on the acceptable site list. The block can be overridden by a parent or administrator; Kidsnet users seeking access to a blocked site which they believe should be on the okay list can also submit a site for review and if it is approved will be added to the approved list, generally within 24 hours. * Software using this technique: Kidsnet * Best suited for: Young Children (11 and younger)
Keyword Filtering -
This method uses a list of forbidden words such as "XXX" and blocks any page or
site that contains the word. Often is the cause of sites being wrongfully blocked;
for instance in the above case a site about "Superbowl XXX" would be blocked.
|
| Relative Strengths of the various filters: |
| Filtering: Internet Sites |
| Safest online environment: Kidsnet (Only pre-approved sites are
allowed) Best kept block list: S4F Filterpak (Professionally maintained database of objectionable sites.) (Weblocker's list is submitted by users; CyberSentinel does not use a block list; Kidsnet uses an include list not a block list)
|
| Filtering: Chat/Instant Messagingedators |
| Best Protection against cyberpredators:
CyberSentinel
(CyberSentinel is the only one with an extensive database of phrases and tactics
used by that allow it to shut down those types of conversations)
|
| Filtering: Email |
| Content Filtering in Email: CyberSentinel
(CyberSentinel is the only one that can block on keys words (profanity, adult
come-ons, etc.) and shut down the email before it is read.)
|
| Profiles for different Users |
| Allows Profiles for diffent Users: Kidsnet, S4F Filterpak, Weblocker (All allow profiles
for different users; Kidsnet also has preset categories for 4 different age groups.)
|
| Monitoring |
| Logs information on visited sites: CyberSentinel, Guardian Monitor
|