| It was inevitable with the birth of the Internet | | | | record-keeping tracks behavior so that you can |
| that pornography would wind its way into this | | | | handle it at your own discretion. |
| new digital territory. With all of the value provided | | | | Flexibility also impacts the effectiveness of a |
| by online information and communication | | | | software solution, which means the software you |
| technologies, these advancements have | | | | select should be customizable. The right level of |
| nonetheless also become inextricably linked with | | | | protection depends on the audience, and you |
| developments in pornography distribution. | | | | need to be able to set the appropriate controls |
| Fortunately, new technology brings not only new | | | | accordingly. This includes both setting sensitivity |
| outlets for pornography, but also new ways to | | | | levels and defining your own known safe (white) |
| protect against it. | | | | and unsafe (black) web sites. |
| There are several sources of unwanted | | | | The last two key components in protection |
| pornography. The web is the most obvious one, | | | | software are where it works and how much it |
| but adult content also makes its way on to | | | | costs. The where is important because, as the |
| external drives (floppy, CD-ROM, DVD and flash), | | | | world moves to laptops, a server-based solution is |
| into email attachments and on to files that may | | | | no solution at all. Protection must extend to |
| be shared in a networked environment. The right | | | | stand-alone PCs or mobile computers (when not |
| software can protect you across all of these | | | | connected to a network). Wherever the user |
| distribution avenues. | | | | goes, the software shield against pornography |
| The first factor to evaluate when choosing | | | | should follow. |
| protection software is how the software does its | | | | Cost can be either a one-time fee or an ongoing |
| job. Many products designed to protect against | | | | subscription. Are you are willing to shell out dollars |
| pornography rely on databases of known | | | | on a monthly or annual basis, or would you rather |
| pornographic web sites. Unfortunately, the speed | | | | spend money once and avoid ongoing payments? |
| of life on the Internet means that web sites are | | | | Most filtering protection software products require |
| added and edited around the clock, and databases | | | | ongoing payments via a monthly or annual fee, |
| quickly grow outdated. The best software | | | | but others that are installed on home computers |
| solutions use technology that dynamically blocks | | | | or business networks are obtained through a |
| offensive images before they are displayed and | | | | one-time license fee. If you prefer to "buy" a |
| viewed. This type of technology, unlike | | | | solution rather than "rent" it at an ongoing cost, |
| database-driven software, means that even new | | | | look for one that offers that option. |
| threats are recognized and blocked before they | | | | There are a lot of products on the market |
| hit your screen. | | | | designed to protect against pornography. Choosing |
| Monitoring computer usage goes hand in hand with | | | | the right one for your home, office or |
| detecting pornography on the PC. Strong | | | | organization will make a critical difference in the |
| protection software uses two monitoring | | | | quality of your digital life. Evaluate your options |
| weapons: a visible deterrent that lets users know | | | | and select software that blocks offensive images |
| they are being monitored, and a reporting function | | | | at the point of display, includes monitoring |
| that keeps detailed records of what, when and | | | | capabilities and meets the specific needs of your |
| where pornography is viewed. Sometimes the | | | | environment. These key elements will steer you |
| visible deterrent is enough to ward of | | | | toward the highest quality solution for improved |
| inappropriate behavior. When it's not, automated | | | | online security and productivity. |