Website Content Filter

Website content filtering is the process of blocking access to certain websites.

How does website content filtering work?

It works by using hardware or software-based solutions to create and implement rules about what types of sites can be visited.

Content is divided into different categories—such as sports, gambling, adult, streaming, and so on—and those sites in undesirable categories are blocked on the network.

Web filtering is often used to block content that may be dangerous for the kids; in recent years, phone companies have added "kids mode" on mobile phones.

DNS filtering—a specific type of content filtering that uses the DNS layer to filter based on IP addresses—is increasingly being adopted by businesses to control web use and reduce infections.

When content is going through a filter according to sites known to pose a high risk of malware, those sites can be blocked before they can drop malicious payloads. When known distractions like social media and streaming video sites are blocked, productivity increases.

Types of content filtering

Browser-based filters are the most comfortable solution for content filtering and are implemented via a third-party browser extension.

Email filters act on content that might be suspicious, the mail headers, the senders, subjects, and by this emails are classified as accepted or rejected.

Client-side filters are installed as software on each computer that requires content filtering. It can be easy to maintain, disabled, or uninstalled by anyone who has the admin level.

Content-limited ISPs are internet service providers that offer access to a limited portion of the internet. The government usually implements this type of filtering.

Network-based filters are implemented at the transport layers, application, or web proxy. This filtering can be customized and is mostly in use in schools and libraries.

DNS based filtering is used at the DNS layers to prevent lookups for domains that don't fit in a set of policies.

Search engine filters such as google and bing offer users the option to turn on or off the safety filters.