The web offers vast information and helps in your daily needs but it can harm naive users? Are web filters good? Find out here!
Web Filtering Overview
Web Filtering is a process that blocks or restricts access to websites by using some form of software. It is a proactive tool used in schools, workplaces, and other organizations to prevent access to inappropriate content. So, the basic principle behind web filtering is the blocking of unwanted sites and the limitation of time spent on social media sites.
Filtering websites can be considered a positive approach to protecting people from inappropriate content. Because when web filtering is being used in place, it greatly restricts the user’s access to questionable sites. At the same time, web filtering can be considered a negative approach.
Because it restricts the user’s freedom of choice and access to information.
Web Filtering: Reasons To Use It
The use of filtering is necessary because it allows administrators to control the accessibility of certain websites. This is especially if they are in an organization where there are people who are not mature enough or yet educated enough to be exposed to content that may be harmful to them. For example, teenagers who are not yet capable of distinguishing what is right from what is wrong.
Another great advantage of using web filtering is that it prevents hackers from accessing sensitive information from computers within an organization. There have been instances wherein hackers attack computers and gain access to confidential information. Then use it for their benefit or illegal activities.
Organizations need to protect their data from getting into the hands of hackers. This is done by applying web filtering software so that only authorized personnel can have access to these data.
Web Filtering: Web Content Control
What is another reason why web filtering should be implemented in offices or organizations? Because it also allows administrators or managers to control the number of time employees spends on social media sites. These are considered a waste of time and money when they are being accessed excessively.
Social media sites may also contain questionable content that may harm users who visit them without permission from a manager or administrator. Another option provided by web filtering software is that it can deny users access to inappropriate content. It may harm their computer systems and devices as well as their health and safety.
Once web filtering is implemented in an organization, users can only access websites that are appropriate for them. One disadvantage of using web filtering is that it can limit users’ freedom of choice. Because when web filtering is being used, users cannot choose which websites they need to visit.
They can only go through the sites that are provided by the administrator or manager of the organization or workplace. If a user needs to access a certain website but it is being blocked by the web filtering software, that user will not be able to do so. Thus, managers need to know what sites are appropriate for their employees so that they will not have to block sites that contain important information for these employees.