Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for a small business Internet filter to control basic web content

Businesses like schools and churches and other smaller operations benefit from Internet filtering software that performs basic tasks such as blocking porn, filtering chat rooms and blocking Spam.

I recommend: SafeLinks.com provides an Internet filter for small businesses and prides itself in its dedication to a client's web protection. The SafeLinks program lets users customize content and offers easy-to-read reports on usage. Many libraries, hospitals, schools and clinics use iTech solutions to filter and monitor Web usage. It offers consultations and support to customers.

Purchase Internet filtering and blocking solutions designed for large networks

Monitor web content easily with Internet filtering and blocking programs designed specifically for networks. These powerful programs monitor the consumption of bandwidth and block sites you don't want available during the work day. This can keep employees from checking personal email, visiting social networking sites or other sites that they can access on their own time.

I recommend: OpenDNS monitors over 50 categories and allows clients to choose the filtering level according to their purposes. The programs offer a business owner the ability to set unique filtering levels for different parts of the office network. Websense reduces legal liability by offering businesses stringent web filtering solutions. Designed for networks, it integrates into pre-existing infrastructure seamlessly.

Use server-based Internet monitoring for your business needs

When you use a server for business Internet filtering, you save bandwidth on your own networks. The servers filter through content, protecting your network.

I recommend: Finjan uses its patented active real-time content inspection technology to keep clients protected from malicious web content. It specializes in protecting corporate networks. BASCOM is dedicated to providing educational content that is available to any student who has Internet access in the United States through its servers. It works as a curriculum supplement and gives teachers a chance to catalog sites they want to highlight.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look for a business Internet filter that shows screen shots of suspected activity.

Guide to Internet Blocking and Filtering

Monitor employees' surfing habits in order to boost their performance

By Matt Alderton, Writer, Editor and Media Consultant, Logolepsy Custom Content and Communications

Many companies, small and large alike, monitor employees' computer usage. Some even control it, choosing which sites their staff can and can't see, in an effort to promote efficiency and preserve security. You might consider blocking or filtering certain Web sites from your own network in order to:

1. Check employee productivity
2. Protect your network from viruses
3. Improve your network's performance
4. Keep your proprietary information private.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Recognize the risk

The first step in Internet blocking and filtering is understanding how uncontrolled Web surfing can affect your business.

I recommend: Use this cost calculator from WebBalanced.com to determine how much money your company is losing due to lost productivity and how much you can save by implementing a blocking or filtering program.

Evaluate your needs

Do you need to know when your employees are online, what Web sites they're visiting and more? Or do you only want to keep employees off of gaming, shopping and adult sites?

I recommend: If you're looking for a does-it-all solution, try a filtering solution, such as Secure Computing's Webwasher Secure Content Management Suite, which includes a URL filter and content reporter, along with anti-spam and anti-virus capabilities. Or, for something a little more basic, try a Web-blocking program, such as Websense Enterprise.

Learn your rights and risks

You can legally control Internet usage without employee consent or knowledge. In fact, if you don't, you can be held liable if an employee is accessing material that offends his or her peers. Be mindful, however, of the fine line between responsible filtering and restrictive filtering; the best managers trust their employees and respect their privacy.

I recommend: Explore employer and employee rights in the realm of electronic privacy by reviewing the National Workrights Institute's page on Electronic Monitoring.

Develop an Internet usage policy

Don't just let your software do the work of filtering. Establish policies that outline what kinds of sites should be accessed at work and which shouldn't, and rely on your employees to self-censor.

I recommend: Create your policy by customizing these sample Internet Usage Policies from the American Bar Association, Authenticity Consulting or KnowledgeLeader.

Select software or a Web-based solution

Most filtering software combines monitoring with blocking, and costs between $300 and $600. Web-based solutions may do the same for less.

I recommend: Browse software options online for the best price and most compatible features at Google Directory or Yahoo! Shopping Directory. For a Web-based solution, try WebBalanced or FastTracker, both of which offer online demos.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before you invest in a filtering solution, take it for a test drive; most vendors offer a free download of their software that's good for a short trial period.
• •  Inevitably, an employee will accidentally access a restricted site. When you're monitoring Internet usage, leave room for occasional mistakes.
• •  It's not enough to filter Web sites. To stay secure, you must also guard against unwanted content and files in employees' emails and on their hard drives; start by installing good anti-virus software on all office computers.
• •  Beware: Web-blocking software might unintentionally block sites that are useful to your employees. Be willing and able to develop a white list of approved sites that are mistakenly blocked.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Increase business productivity by installing business Internet filtering for messaging

Help your employees stay on the task by watching how they use their Instant Messaging programs. Block the programs altogether if they do not contribute to the work load.

I recommend: Comvigo offers customers IM Lock Software that blocks instant messages and filters through web content. It works well in small businesses and also for networks. InternetSafetySoftware brings IamBigBrother to the table to monitor chats and record Internet activity. It takes screen shots when suspected words appear and runs in stealth mode.

Use Internet filtering software to protect your electronic mail box

A simple virus easily topples a network without some restrictions. Use content-filtering software to catch and quarantine suspicious information and to protect your office information.

I recommend: Bloxx web-filtering solutions provides business owners with a tool to keep businesses running smoothly. It manages downloads and blocks malware, preventing harmful content from coming off the Internet into your network via email or other Internet sources. Burstek claims to be a leader in the world of Internet management solutions. In addition to other monitoring functions, it has over a decade of experience when it comes to filtering emails.

Use Internet access management software to monitor usage of games and videos

Aside from content criteria, business owners might want to keep a close eye on the games and videos employees use. If this is you, consider this need when purchasing a business Internet filter. This type of content uses higher amounts of bandwidth, often clogging a network and results in diminished performance.

I recommend: St. Bernard Software brings clients the iPrism, Internet filtering software that helps increase space in a network's bandwidth. Rhino Software offers programs such as AllegroSurf, which allows users to monitor Internet data and also controls bandwidth by setting limits. This restricts and monitors video and MP3 downloads.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Purchase software for business Internet filtering and blocking from companies that offer free upgrades and have a solid reputation for good customer service.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Backlist

Many filtering and blocking programs create a backlist, or a list of suspected spam e-mail addresses or websites deemed inappropriate. Backlist e-mails never enter your inbox and backlist websites cannot be accessed.

I recommend: Windows IT Pro offers a great article on using backlists to prevent spam.

Client-based filter

A client-based filter is a piece of software that's installed on an individual computer and allows users to block certain types of material on the Internet. Client-based filters run on the computer simultaneously with the Internet browser.

I recommend: GuardUrEyes.com gives basic information about using client-based filters, including pros and cons.

Server-based filter

A server-based filter does not allow the computer user direct control over the filtering process. Any information that comes into the computer has already been filtered. Filtering software is installed on a host server (like a web server).

I recommend: For a comparison of different types of filters, including server-based filters, visit CyberAngels.

False positive

A false positive is when filtering software sets aside an e-mail as spam when it actually is not spam.

I recommend: TechTarget explains false positives in further detail.

False negative

A false negative is when filtering software does not set aside an e-mail as spam when it is actually spam.

I recommend: Network World discusses false negatives and offers tips on limiting them. See the article's fifth paragraph.

Bayesian based filter

Bayesian based filters (sometimes just called Bayesian filters) are named after Thomas Bayes, an 18th century man who created a formula that allows us to know the probability of an occurring event. A Bayesian based filter must be taught to distinguish between desirable and undesirable e-mails.

I recommend: WhichSpamFilter.com discusses the many types of filters, including Bayesian based filters. (Scroll down to the subtitle "Bayesian Based Filters.")