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| clock, and databases quickly grow outdated.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