Tag Archive for 'internet filtering software'

Filtering software enrolled for your benefit

Published on June 17, 2008 in Internet Filtering. 0 Comments Tags: .

You run a successful business, and as the head of that office you work in, you want to keep it as successful as possible. One key requirement to that are the employees you decided to hire. You give them a task, and they ponder at in on their desks as they key away on their work computer. However, does giving your employees access to a computer mean instant success? Not always, as your employees may not always be using their computer access for specific work-related tasks. In the end, this costs your business time and money.Stop sign

This is where Internet and computer content filtering software can play a crucial part in how just how well your employees will be in participating to make your business better. Internet filtering software can help keep your employees access on only work essential websites. The use of Internet content filters will better help the flow of productivity with the computers your employees use.

We all know people don?t always want to do work, and they?ll dillydally away distracted by something else until their clock tells them it?s time for lunch. With access to work computers, your employees could be costing you lost productivity time by surfing the net, playing games, or using instant messaging software. This can be controlled with certain Internet and computer software filters. By only allowing your employees to use work related Internet materials and software, you can be sure to see a jump in productivity.

With Internet activity dropped from your workers aimlessly searching the web for alternative non-work related activities, you can expect to see a drop in the amount of resources you need to keep your business connected. With less bandwidth usage, Internet and server costs will see a drop. This can enable you to save your company thousands of dollars a month, as well as see an increase in productivity, most likely increasing your company?s worth.

Is it worth installing Internet content filters? If you think it will increase productivity in your office, absolutely. Content filters can be an excellent way to save your business many, many dollars.

Unacceptable behavior at work – Computer usage for personal use

Published on May 31, 2008 in Internet Filtering. 2 Comments Tags: .

Before the computer was introduced to the workplace the employer had to keep a steady eye on his employees to make sure there was no horseplay going on. However, with the 21st century upon us, the computer has become an essential tool for the office. It is used to create, edit, read, and transfer documents that could someday make a company billions of dollars. However, to the employee not focused on doing his work, it has become a tool to escape the boredom and tediousness of ?work.?

Why does an employer need to be aware that this will happen if he has employees on work computers? They should be aware because it is costing businesses, worldwide, billioInternetns upon billions of dollars. This isn?t happening on an employee?s personal computer while they are off the clock either. An employee may be using one-fourth of his hours during the work week chatting with instant messaging programs, surfing inappropriate content, or downloading files that can harm not only the company?s computer, but their whole system, as well.

Nevertheless, there are plenty of solutions to the problem the computer has brought to the workplace. Special software, like internet filtering software, can help deter an employee from visiting websites considered to be inappropriate for the type of work they are doing. Internet filtering software can constantly be modified to pick up new keywords that will block websites that shouldn?t be viewed in that office. Another type of software can log anything that happens on a computer, or block specific software applications that shouldn?t be downloaded or opened. Business assets can be protected by not allowing the use of personal email, and any emails sent with through the businesses email can be tracked and read. Key-logging software can keep track of every, single keystroke that happens on an employee?s keyboard.

Continue reading ‘Unacceptable behavior at work – Computer usage for personal use’

Individual Responsibility vs. Internet Filter

Published on April 22, 2008 in Internet Filtering. 0 Comments Tags: .

Filtering the internet can be done two different ways. You can physically block access to specific websites and internet applications using special internet content filter software. This is extremely efficient while doing what it is supposed to do: blocking inappropriate websites to users that shouldn?t be viewing that content. Furthermore it can always be configureIndividual responsabilityd to different levels of access. However, is it too much? Does it constrain an individual?s intellectual freedom? Should we instead rely on individual responsibility and what parents teach their children to what is appropriate to view on the web?

Some researchers say installing internet content filters are dimming our intellectual freedom, blocking important data that should be free and accessible to all. However, many reasons this type of software is installed is to increase productivity in areas like offices and businesses. Libraries and schools use internet filtering software to keep kids safe from viewing inappropriate materials such as pornography, illegal substances, and other content that could be considered harmful to children.

Continue reading ‘Individual Responsibility vs. Internet Filter’

Internet filtering at public libraries

Published on April 14, 2008 in Internet Filtering. 13 Comments Tags: .

42-16027067Since the Children?s Internet Protection Act, otherwise known by the acronym CIPA, of December 2002, government has been setting regulations on the type of access to different types of internet websites and programs libraries and schools have. This meant any library receiving government money and subsidies and using it for their technology costs had to install software that would block websites deemed obscene, containing pornography, and other such websites that contained not suitable for children to view.

There are certain requirements public libraries need to pass in order to get funding from a program called ?E-rate? – a program ran in order to make technology more available and affordable for libraries and public schools. After the CIPA rule was put in place by the Federal government, any library or place using government spending must follow the strict blocking rules put in run by CIPA to continue to get funding from ?E-rate.? If these rules are not followed, they will lose their funding.

Libraries facing CIPA must implement policies that limit access to minors and inappropriate content, ensure safety of minors using email, chat rooms, chat software and other means of direct internet communication, hacking of systems and databases, and disclosure of minors personal identities.

Libraries have the option to install internet filtering software, which can give a library?s technical administrator complete control of what happens on a libraries internet connection. Many internet filtering programs are available and approved by CIPA standards after installation, however, these programs allow for much more control than what is just given.
Specific websites or websites containing special content or keywords can be blocked Music files and entertainment applications can also be stopped from being downloaded whilst incoming and outgoing cookies are filtered. Much of these programs allow you to install keyloggers, a program that will track every key pressed. Chat logs can be saved and stored, then analyzed at another time. Using such software enables a library to keep a safe environment for children, as well as continue to receive federal financing to buy more computers and upgrade older systems and software.