What You Need To Know About Web Content Filtering Solutions

Filters… Filters are all over the place. You don't believe us?

Well, look at the coffee machine in your office or the water purifier in your kitchen and if you're too lazy to go that far, then look at Instagram and Facebook on your phone (found them, right!).

We told you; filters are everywhere!

We prefer everything filtered, from water to coffee to photographs and even air! Even businesses are leaving no stone unturned to grant this wish! Although often, these filters are hidden behind the curtains when it comes to web content.

It's no hidden fact that the World Wide Web is an ocean of content. It's vast and deep but there's a lot of trash floating around down there as well. Often, when you're scrolling through your newsfeeds and social media feeds, the information or content you find may be graphic, irrelevant or misleading.

Under such circumstances, it becomes essential for business owners and brands to present content to their customers and employees which is safe, purified and free of junk. That's precisely when Web Content Filtering Solutions steps in!

Now you must be curious to learn more about these solutions. So, let's wait no more and head to our next section.
 

Revealing The Concept Of Web Content Filtering Solutions

With the new technological advancements taking place every day, it is now easier than ever for your employees to access inappropriate content online. It's not just cyber-bullying and violent content that the companies have to worry about but also the unregulated internet! Web Content Filtering Solutions are the quick fix to this problem as they save your money, provide security for your company and strengthen transparency. 

These solutions are used by businesses, schools, libraries and other organizations to keep their employees, students and patrons safe from illegal or inappropriate data. Web Content Filtering Solutions block offensive or vulgar internet content from popular search engines, chat rooms and social networks.


Long story short, Web Content Filtering Solutions to your organization are like Advance Guards to Harry Potter! Advance Guards were the members of the Order of the Phoenix who provided Harry with a more secure environment after a pair of Dementors attacked him.

In the same way, Web Content Filtering Solutions help your organization by blocking access to unsafe web content by keeping your employees from visiting known spam sites. They can also filter inappropriate content from appearing on screens and provide a way to block certain websites from being accessed by employees so that you can build a happy and content place for everyone associated with your business.

Now, let's dive into the history of Web Content Filtering Solutions.  
 

Insights Into The History Of Web Content Filtering Solutions

The history of web content filtering traces back to the 1990s when libraries started using Internet filtering. A solution named WebSense came about after its founder, Phil Turbey, saw the web’s potential and observed that filtering is necessary. So, initially, web content filtering was used by libraries and educational institutes to restrict students from any kind of content that was deemed to be inappropriate for them. 

Before 1999, the process of web content filtering, aka Internet filtering, was taken care of by some concerned party or a person. However, in 1999, an editorial in the Quad City Times suggested that the automated filtering app would be a better solution rather than manual approaches. That's exactly when Web Content Filtering Solutions entered the computerized process of monitoring web content. The use of Internet filtering increased from 25% in 2000 to 65% in 2005. 

Somewhere in 2016, brands such as Mcdonald's started blocking absurd content for their employees and customers on their Wi-Fi networks. Similarly, Chick-fil-A followed the suit and implemented Wi-Fi filters to ensure maximum authenticity of web content for customers and employees on their premises. With that, many other brands invested their efforts and interest in this direction and today,
Web Content Filtering Solutions have become an integral part of businesses. 

Web Content Filtering Solutions are critical in the present era. Any illegal or offensive content can compromise users’ well-being and system integrity need to be kept in check. 

Let's hop on to the next section that says all about the working of these solutions.
 

Decoding The Working Of Web Content Filtering Solutions

This is how Web Content Filtering Solutions work for your organization!

 

• Web Content Filtering Solutions starts the process by screening and excluding undesirable and unwanted emails and web pages. These solutions operate by specifying content patterns, including text strings and image patterns. The solutions label the content objectionable if these patterns are matched and block that site or page. 

• Businesses use content filtering software through firewalls to block access and specify types of content. Many leading internet firewalls offer internet content filtering as a built-in feature, either as hardware or software. 

• Web Content Filtering Solutions work with a dual advantage for cybersecurity and the implementation of company policies related to using information access. For example, an ideal Web Content Filtering Solution will block dangerous sites (cybersecurity) and unsuitable social networking sites (as per a couple of the company's guidelines). 

So that's how Web Content Filtering Solutions work for your company. Now let's figure out the benefits of these solutions!
 

Importance Of Web Content Filtering Solutions

Well, the more, the better! Web Content Filtering Solutions also have more benefits to offer!

 

• Convenient Remote Operations

  Remote working has become the #newnormal but many organizations didn't get a chance to implement content filters on employees’ systems. The good news is, Web Content Filtering Solutions help businesses as solutions include client-side instructions that guide employees to install filters by themselves. Another alternative for enabling Web Content Filtering Solutions is allowing IT teams to control employees' systems. Businesses can also switch to service providers and platforms that offer inbuilt content filter solutions, such as Google Workspace.   

• Safe And Secure Internal Communication

  Internal communications in the form of emails, virtual meetings, chat groups and so on have become an integral part of business communication. Unfortunately, this has increased the risk of sabotaging internal communications by hackers. Web Content Filtering Solutions block these unscrupulous attempts of external forces and safeguard your organizations!

• Keeps Your Cyberspace Hygienic

  What if, during this #workfromhome scenario, your employee loans the company device to their relative? Won't it be a risk to your company's assets and sensitive information? What if an unauthorized person uses the company device to search for inappropriate content? Web Content Filtration Solutions implement a set of filters that block access to distasteful content, adult content, disinformation, piracy, intolerance, etc. 

That was all about the presence of Web Content Filtering Solutions; let's seek insights into its future. 
 

Unboxing The Future Of Web Content Filtering Solutions!

Mount your brooms and hop on; we are about to dive into the future of Web Content Filtering Solutions. 

Some of the most popular web content filters are using a Domain Name System (DNS - a service that translates a domain name to its corresponding IP address) to block certain sites from being accessed. Moving ahead, the Domain Name System will provide security from all sorts of threats such as botnets, ransomware, phishing scams, etc. DNS will also be used to route traffic from one network to another and offer a robust content-filtering solution to the organizations.

Web Content Filtering Solutions already have tremendous scope in the education sector. Artificial Intelligence continues will continue to play a vital role in real-time content filtering in the future. For instance, rather than IT teams manually controlling the systems to grant internet access rights each time a student is blocked, AI-driven programs will handle the tedious task of automatically blocking inappropriate content on your network. How cool is that!
 

To Wrap It Up

As the internet continues to grow, so is the threat glossary! It can be hard to know what's safe and what's not. That's why it's important to use Web Content Filtering Solutions. This article outlined how Web Content Filtering Solutions act as your Advance Guards, evaluate the sites you visit and block any content that doesn't meet your standards, guidelines and compliance policies.