What is Web Filtering?
Web filtering is software that controls or restricts a user’s access to content on the internet. It is also known as URL filtering, content filtering, and internet filtering.
There are two different ways to block access to websites — by category, or by URL. For example, you can block categories of websites such as Criminal Skills and Hate speech. Check out the different ways Netsweeper categorizes content on our Live Stats page.
Individual URLs can also be blocked. Lists of specific websites to be blocked can be created and put on a blacklist.
Besides controlling the content a user can access, web filters can also prevent malware from infecting a user’s device. They also provide insight into the type of material a user is searching for, and can have timers to rename.shut down access to selected websites for designated time periods.
Who Uses Web Filters?
- Telecommunications providers, who may decide to use web filtering to block child pornography on a countrywide level
- School districts and schools, who need to protect students from malware and ensure that they don’t come across harmful content (for example, radicalization)
- Enterprises, who use web filters to control access to certain websites to increase their productivity and ensure that network bandwidth is being used appropriately
- People who use web filtering to block websites to increase their personal productivity
Why are Web Filters Important?
Listen to our CEO, Perry Roach, discuss the evolution of the internet and why web filtering is important.
Learn More About Web Filtering
To learn more about web filtering, please download our Technology Solution Brief.
Have questions about web filtering? Reach out to our team.