A False Sense of Security

I'm always getting asked about filtering software -- the lazy way -- the dangerous way...

Filtering software is what most schools use to protect children from visiting bad websites and a lot of parents are trying to protect their children the same way.  But here's the truth.  The filtering software doesn't work.

Bold statement?  Let me explain

First you need to know how filtering software works.

Filtering software acts as a go between, a middle man.  It is a buffer between the computer and the internet.  If there is any bad content, if the site is rated bad, or if the website is just unapproved...the filtering software will not allow the website to be visited.

But there are a handful of ways around these filtering programs.  I'd list every single one here for you, but you don't need to know them to protect your child.  And besides, I don't want children finding this article as a goldmine of hacks for filtering programs. 

Here's what you need to know.  I learned about the ways to hack filtering programs from Children.  I learned about the loopholes, work arounds, and the tricks -- FROM KIDS.

Yes, I talked...well, I instant messaged. 

And I learned the techniques children are using to be able to surf any website they want any time they want, even under the most strict security (filtering software). 

Kids bragged to me about visiting porn websites at their school.

So what does this mean to you?

Let's face it, there is no silver bullet.  Just dumping some software on the computer and hoping it will do what it claims is a recipe for disaster.

There is a better way.