[HPFGU-OTChatter] Re: Computer Security For Dummies (WAS NetNanny and Firewall)

[Shaun Hately]

On 3 Sep 2003 at 15:43, Cindy C. wrote:

> Oh, I do!  The computers are in public rooms and the kids aren't 
> allowed to close the door.  The problem seems to be that they will 
> search for something (or wind up with smutty pics installed on their 
> desktops) and get a porn reply.  So I just want to reduce the 
> chances that they'll stumble across something I'd rather they 
> didn't.  If it blocks breast cancer sites, I can live with that 
> restriction.
> 
> Are any of the smut blockers better than others?

It's been a couple of years since I looked into this, but some of what I 
found disturbed me.

Just something else to consider - many block a lot of stuff 
*deliberately* besides 'smut'. I can understand why some are 
unsophisticated enough to not understand that 'breast cancer' or 
'SusSEX' isn't a problem - there are aways around that, but I can 
understand the mistakes.

But many block sites for political and/or religious reasons - for 
example, some of this software has been known to block sites that 
contain the word 'evolution' or the word 'Allah'. It would not surprise 
me at all to find some now block the term 'Harry Potter' as well.

I would hope none of the major products do this type of thing - but it's 
something people should be aware of - how much power do you want the 
software producers to have over what your children read?

If that issue concerns you, before getting blocking software, check out: 
http://www.peacefire.org/

Down the left hand side they have a list of popular blocking programs 
and an assessment on what type of things they block - some of it is 
probably (hopefully) out of date by now.

Incidentally - most blocking software now blocks Peacefire as well - 
with some justification as it tells people how to defeat the blocks.

Just for the record - some sites blocked by various blocking software 
have included:

The Illinois Federation for Human Rights
The Institute of Australian Psychiatrists
Mother Jones Magazine
Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention
The Traditional Values Coalition
The War Resisters League
What Is Memorial Day?
Hillary For President

Prior to the 2000 US elections, the websites of at least 5 Democratic 
candidates for office were blocked as well, along with 4 Republicans 
(one of whom had a statement on his site calling for all public and 
school libraries to install blockers - he removed the statement after he 
found out he was blocked!), and 1 Libertarian.

Use blocking software with caution - sometimes sites are blocked in 
error - sometimes they are blocked for deliberate political reasons - 
and it can be hard to work out which is which.



Yours Without Wax, Dreadnought
Shaun Hately | www.alphalink.com.au/~drednort/thelab.html
(ISTJ)       | drednort at alphalink.com.au | ICQ: 6898200 
"You know the very powerful and the very stupid have one
thing in common. They don't alter their views to fit the 
facts. They alter the facts to fit the views. Which can be 
uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that 
need altering." The Doctor - Doctor Who: The Face of Evil
Where am I: Frankston, Victoria, Australia