Content Filtering Software for School
The World Wide Web a place for the whole world has opinions of the whole world encapsulated in one place. These opinions have had a lasting effect on many especially the naïve minds of students. They are highly likely to believe whatever they read and form their opinions based on that. But it’s not just about opinionated articles it has much more worse things to offer. Obscene content such as pornography and a variety of other harmful content is found on the web which needs to be kept away from students at all costs. However, that has to be done in such a way that they don’t feel that their autonomy or privacy is being undermined. This growing age is the prime time for them to grow and this whole process of growth would be hindered if they thought that they were being controlled so schools need to it very discreetly.
What is Content Filtering?
Content filtering works by screening or excluding access to web pages or email deemed objectionable. This filtering is usually used by corporations as part of their firewalls, and also by home computer owners. But now a days schools have also started using content filtering because internet access is a necessity of providing education. Content filtering works by specifying content patterns – such as text strings or objects within images – that, if matched, indicate undesirable content that is to be screened out. A content filter will then block access to this content. In such usage, content filtering is serving a security purpose – but content filtering is also used to implement company policies related to information system usage. For example, for schools it would be common to filter social media websites, gaming websites and many other entertainment providing websites.
Objectionable, inappropriate and illegal content creates risks for students in schools. These risk for instance could include pornographic content, spam sites and hate sites. Even social media sites pose a similar threat because they have become the prime sources of cyber bullying.
Content Filtering helps to mitigate these risks by making the access to this kind of content either too difficult or completely impossible.
To be effectual, content filtering has to be established across all channels. Most commonly targeted channels are;
- Web; the screening of websites or pages as well as other web traffic.
- Email; screening of email from a variety of spam and phishing emails. Malware and malicious content is also distributed by emails many a times.
- Executables; the screening of executable files that may install malicious software without warning.
How is Content Filtering different from Web Filtering?
Content filtering allows the blocking of viruses, malicious content sent by emails, pop-ups that may be harmful and certain content on websites that the user seems undesirable for the user of that computer whereas web filtering woks by blocking a whole URL. Malicious URL’s are blocked by effective web filtering. Access to a whole website is denied by using algorithms and automatic classification of malicious URL’s.
Why do we need effective content filtering?
The reasons for filtering content are vast. But they can be broadly divided into security, legality, protection and increased productivity. The internet is a dark place and especially for students thus it is imperative for schools to make sure that their students accessing internet on their premises have a safe experience. The legal reason may be the most important one. The CIPA has made it a compulsion for schools to filter content if they want to benefit from e-rates funding. So to prevent themselves from any legal liability. They have to ensure safety of their students online. Productivity, this is highly dependent on how the time is consumed because if you’ve left all social media and entertainment content open to students then it’s highly unlikely that they will get any work done. So as to increase productivity of their student’s schools have to be ensure a certain level of content filtering.
With great power, comes great responsibility. The schools have been entrusted by parents as the sole providers of education for their child. Not only is the school’s responsibility to raise an educated child but also a well aware and well protected individual of the society.
Who can provide assistance to schools to help filter content?
There may be many free solutions available to schools online but this is a very tricky matter and requires a lot of care and attention to be given in order to ensure effective but not excessive blocking. So the schools have to be very careful while choosing their service provider. Nu EDU SEC is a cloud-based platform dedicated to provide internet security to schools. They not only make the online experience of the student safe at the school but also at home. They ease the whole process of CIPA compliance and providing campus internet security at a very minimal cost. NuEDUSec is definitely the best option for schools.