Towards Internet Security - Content Filtering Vs Site Blocking

There's a good percentage of office workersonline functionalities such as e-mail and instant
connected to the Internet without any good reasonmessaging.
to be so. Most of them engage in activities that areOn the other hand, content filtering not only stops
not related their jobs such as gaming, socialthe user's entry into malicious sites that can seriously
networking and sometimes, online pornography. Atcompromise his system's security. This technology
present, there are already innumerable sites thatalso blocks download of harmful software and guards
offer significant risk to the security of the computersagainst those who may attempt to take advantage
that connect to them. Definitely, there is a need toof or exploit the user's system's weaknesses or
filter content entering a user's system each time hevulnerabilities. Furthermore, it restricts email and
connects to high-risk sites.instant messaging, thus, offering added protection.
It is not very pleasing to know that most companiesContent filtering gives you total control of your
provide their employees with the best Internetcomputer and your network so can be assured that
service in the hope of making them more useful orwhoever tries to access whatever page, protection
effective in their jobs. Unfortunately, this privilege isfrom harmful online elements may be ensured.
very much abused and if there's one positive thingThere is no doubt about the fact that web filtering
that has come out of the scenario, it's the fact thathas become an indispensable tool for those who
companies are beginning to realize the value of theirsimply can't afford to risk their computer's or
Internet security. It is not even an option to stopnetwork's security. This is because there are simply
providing Internet access to employees because thistoo many unscrupulous entities online that are waiting
would seriously restrict their level productivity.for the first opportunity to wreak havoc on any
Some companies implement a site blocking program inunguarded computer on the network and also to
order to restrict visits to sites that are consideredadvance their own selfish intentions such as stealing
unsafe. However, risking a computer's or network'scredit card information and other details that are
Internet security goes beyond visiting unsafe sitesbetter left personal.
and can now involve simple desktop, email andContent filtering is, of course, just one of the ways
messaging applications being risk sources. Site blockingto secure a network and a computer. One may also
works by directing all web page requests made bywant to explore using an IP changing program which
the user to a firewall, proxy service or caching tois basically a software that allows users to travel
assess whether or not the site is safe, but it doesaround the Internet without being detected.
not guard against risks that are present in other