"Do I need some kind of Internet filtering software for my computer?" That's a question we get fairly often, and our answer is a resounding "Yes!"--especially if the person asking it has a family. We know you've heard this over and over again, but we think it's still worth saying: the Internet gives its users unprecedented access to ALL KINDS of content--not all of which is good for your computer or your family. Pornography is readily available at the click of a button. Sites that look legitimate could be fronts for malware or spyware. In other words, any number of problems can come from allowing your computer full, unfettered access to the Internet.
The good news is that the market has responded to the need for applications that block access to harmful content of all kinds. Many operating systems are now adding parental control settings. Filtering software is also a viable option for protection. Programs like Covenant Eyes, Safe Eyes, KidsGoGoGo, and CYBERsitter offer a wide range of features, from filtering to surveillance to limitation of social networking access. If you have multiple computers and don't want to have to subscribe to filtering software for each individual machine, using OpenDNS's filtering capabilities is yet another option for protection. OpenDNS allows you to filter access at the network level (i.e., from your wireless router, firewall, etc.), meaning that access will be filtered for all computers connecting to the Internet in your home.
Which filtering method should you use? Well, that depends on your individual needs. Because we believe filtering is of the utmost importance, we have educated ourselves on the various strengths of each method. We're happy to offer that expertise to you as you make the important decision of how to protect your computer and, more importantly, your family.