Protection against Harmful Content with Internet Monitoring Software

Author: erikhornung11 | Posted: 20.07.2012

Introduction to Different Types of Filters

The original purpose of internet filtering software was to protect children from viewing adult content sites. Organizations and companies also consider internet filtering software to be an absolute essential need. Both appliance and standard-based options for internet filtering software offer standard functions. They monitor internet activity, block site access, automatic enforcement of company guideline and reporting of inappropriate behavior. There is more importance attached to an appliance-based solution. The advantages of an appliance-based internet filtering software are given below.

• Security

• Stability

• Accuracy

• Maintenance

• Reliability

• Total cost of ownership

Benefits of Appliance-Based Filters versus Software-Based Filters

Software-based internet filtering software must integrate with your operating system, but there is no guarantee that they be secure and stable. It can also degrade the performance because resources are shared with hosts and low level of performance can increase with load as well. More users create increased loads on the host systems also. An excellent internet filtering appliance uses pass-by technology to check websites and IM requests against a list that is automatically updated. If the request matches a name on the list that is not allowed, then a denial is sent back to the user and no bandwidth is used.

The dedicated resource of an appliance and its pass-by technology will prevent network slowdowns also. The accuracy and reliability of an appliance-based internet monitoring software is maintained through updates in the system. The software has to check every request thereby creating a bottleneck that is a single point of failure. If the bottleneck crashes, no internet traffic will pass in or out of the company. In regards to time and cost, an appliance-based internet filtering software needs less maintenance than a software filtering system. The database is based on the appliance filtering device where it is updated automatically with new sites, protocols and port activities in order to block port-hopping servers. Alternatively, software filters require manual updates and requires all traffic to travel through the single point of failure. An internet filtering appliance may not be necessary for a small company while software-based programs are not designed to handle large loads. The cost of the software filters will likely affect a company’s revenues more than the investment in an internet filtering appliance.

Advantages of Using Net Nanny Software

A web filtering software has to filter both out coming and incoming internet traffic. It should protect the company as well as its employees from financial, legal, and security hassles of internet activity. An appliance-based internet filter protects a company’s assets, employees, bandwidth and reputation in one single package. Net Nanny by Look Smart Software is a parental control software product that offers protection with customized settings. It is easy to install and configure. It includes filtering of content, internet timer, internet application blocking, logging and monitoring software, popup blocker, and privacy protection. Keyword lists can be created that filter any inappropriate terms that might appear on websites. Online games can be very addictive and violent as well and entirely suitable for children. You can also get an email recording of what your children chat about when they are online and the person they are chatting with as well.

About Author:
Erik Hornung is an author of imfirewall.com, one of the best Web Filtering Software Company. He is writing articles on internet filtering software since long time.

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