Filtering Software
Filtering software attempts to block access to Internet sites which have harmful or illegal content. The effectiveness depends on the sophistication of the software and how up-to-date the blocking lists, on which they generally rely, are kept. There are two categories of filtering systems, software packages that you install and manage on your computer and filtering services that may be offered as service option by your Internet Service Provider.
You should check with your Internet Service Provider to see if they have filtering or parental controls integrated in one of their service options. If you enable such an ISP service there is no need for additional filtering packages to be installed on your computer. Please be aware that filtering/parental control software, whether provided by your ISP or installed on your computer, does not protect you from computer viruses and other malware. You must have up-to-date anti-virus software on your computer to protect yourself as effectively as possible.
The European Commission, through the Safer Internet Programme, has funded a project called “SIP-Benchmark” which has benchmarked many filtering packages currently on the market. These have been tested and a rating awarded for the effectiveness and user-friendliness of the various solutions. Click here for the SIP-Benchmark website.
Below is a list of software packages available on the Irish market, some for home use, others for business organisations. Neither Hotline.ie nor ISPAI endorse any filtering package and its inclusion on this list should not be regarded as an endorsement.
SafeScreen
SafeScreen offered by PixAlert is a real time image monitoring solution for home and business PCs. It identifies and obscures pornographic images on the screen whether from the Internet or other sources such as CD-ROMs, USB keys, etc.
http://www.pixalert.com
KidSafe
KidSafe is an Irish developed solution to protect children online. It has advanced features which enable you to protect children of all ages on the internet.
http://www.kidSafe.ie
Net Nanny offers software it states will stop illicit material being available on a computer by filtering and blocking web content while surfing online.
http://www.netnanny.ie
Cyberpatrol
CyberPatrol is an Internet safety software from SurfControl, a world leading Internet Security Company. Launched in 1995, CyberPatrol is specifically developed for Windows-based standalone PCs to help protect children and adults from the many online dangers that exist.
http://www.cyberpatrol.com
Pearl Echo
Pearl Echo is an enterprise-class employee Internet monitoring, filtering and control software program designed to monitor and control the Internet activity of multiple PCs and thin clients from a central location.
http://www.pearlsw.com
SurfControl
SurfControl Web Filter is a corporate filter soultion offering organisations to actively monitor network use and abuse. The solution offers protection from inbound and outbound malicious content, including spyware, adware, phishing, and viruses, as well as catching inappropriate Web usage, including streaming media, file downloads, pornography, and copyright violations.
http://www.surfcontrol.com
Websense
Websense is an enterprise web filtering solution. Websense Enterprise offers to protect organizations from the productivity, legal liability, and bandwidth risks of the internet, combining powerful flexibility with rich functionality.
http://www.websense.com
ICRA
The Internet Content Rating Association
http://www.icra.org
