ASSIGMENT 13: PROCESS OF INTERNET FILTERING

What is Internet filtering?

It is a process that prevents or blocks access to certain materials on the Internet. Filtering is most commonly used to prevent children from accessing inappropriate material and to keep employees productive on the Internet.

There are 3 most commonly used methods in internet filtering;

• Keyword blocking
• Site blocking
• Web rating system
  

1. Keyword blocking

This method uses a list of banned words or objectionable terms. As the page is downloading, the filter searches for any of these words. If found, it will block the page completely, stop downloading the page, block the banned words and even shut down the browser.

2. Site blocking

• software company maintains a list of 'dubious Internet sites'
• the software prevents access to any sites on this lists
  
• 'denial lists' regularly update
• some software provides control over what categories of information we block
  

3. Web rating systems

Web sites are rated in terms of nudity, sex, violence and language. The Recreational Software Advisory Council (RSACI) is responsible for the rating of the websites on the content on the Internet.

• ratings done either by the web page author or by the independent bureau.
• browsers set to only accept pages with certain levels of ratings.