Open source content filters are necessary for institutions with internet access. Dynamic filters automatically blacklist inappropriate sites and allow access to blacklisted sites without turning off the entire filter. Proxy and image filtering are also important to prevent bypassing.
Open source content filtering programs are an essential part of maintaining a business, school, or any other institution where the Internet is available, because they censor inappropriate websites. While most open source content filtering programs offer the same basic functionality, some features will be required for advanced filtering, while others will make it easier to maintain filtering in general. A dynamic content filter is one that can look for new websites that should be blacklisted and does it automatically. At some point you may need to access a blacklisted website, and filters that can open a website without having to close it completely are preferred. Proxy filtering and image filtering are also important.
New websites come out all the time with games, chats, and other features that businesses and schools want to block in an effort to keep employees or students productive. While most open source content filtering programs have a large index of blacklisted websites, and the list is usually updated periodically, it is possible that someone could access a non-blacklisted website. A dynamic filter will look at the keywords and files on the website, and if it deems the website inappropriate, it will add that website to the blacklist and terminate access.
Websites are blacklisted because they shouldn’t be accessible at all times, but sometimes you may need to use one of these websites. For example, if a business partner needs to be contacted quickly and can only be reached via a social networking website, you will need to remove the filter. Some filters will have to turn off the entire filter, and in the meantime, other employees or students will have free access to websites that are normally prohibited. It is better if the open source content filter can open access to a website without lifting the entire filter.
To bypass an open source content filter, many employees or students use an anonymous proxy. This masks the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the computer and replaces it with a different one, so the filter does not recognize the IP address. Being masked means that your computer is able to bypass the filter. The filter program should come with an index of proxy websites to ensure that no one bypasses the filter.
Image filtering is an uncommon but important feature for many open source content filtering programs. If someone is able to bypass the filter, they may be able to open inappropriate images. An image filter scans the image for potential problems and may be able to censor the image.
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