Community Magazine April 2012

Once installed on a computer, the filtering software allows an administrator to input a series of variables to control exactly how he or she wants the filtering to work. For content filtering, a comprehensive list of categories allows the administrator to control precisely what kind of websites are going to be on, or off, limits. For extra peace of mind, a list of sites can be green or red lighted so that even if they fall within one of the blocked categories they can still be accessed, and vice-versa. Another very useful feature is the possibility to block internet access during certain times of the day, or to set a cut-off time after which the internet cannot be accessed at night. One limitation of K9, however, as pointed out by Family Web Watch reviewer Ken Cooper, is that the settings cannot be varied by user. For example, if internet access is to be cut off for children at, say, 10pm, that setting cannot be changed for an adult user. On the other hand, it is always possible to temporarily suspend any of the filtering controls, such as access time-cutoffs, websites, etc., by inputting the master password. Security-wise, the software is one of the hardest to bypass, a key selling point for families wishing to install it for parental control. Uninstalling or changing any of the filtering controls requires the input of a password, while proxying websites (which allow users to bypass web filtering by accessing the internet through a proxying service) can, be included in the banned categories list. An added advantage of the K9 system, besides its excellent use as a parental control system, is that it can also be used to block known sources of malware (malicious software that downloads to your computer without your permission and infects the system with viruses) and trojans (another type of virus). It thus serves as not only a content filter, but also as an extra web security measure. K9 is also available for the iPad or iPod Touch, through the App Store, though as of yet remains unavailable for Android, Blackberry and other Research in Motion devices. Open DNS For the slightly more tech-savvy, Open DNS is a DNS resolution service that effectively speeds up the way your computer accesses the internet. Whereas connections to the internet are usually relayed through your Internet Service Provider’s own DNS servers, Open DNS allows connected users to access the internet more quickly by maintaining a massive cache of websites on its own DNS servers, ensuring that web pages are served faster and more reliably. Besides its use as a more efficient method of connecting to the internet, the service also offers a free content filtering service which can be included as a basic add-on to the main software. Open DNS Family Shield offers a more comprehensive filtering method than K9 because the filtering is effectively installed onto the router itself – meaning that the filtering settings will take effect across each and every device accessing the Internet through this means (desktops, laptops, WiFi connected tablets and smartphones, etc.). Setup is slightly more difficult than installing freeware such as K9, but the advantages are obvious. For multi-computer environments, the system saves you the bother of loading software onto each computer and replicating the desired settings on each, and for this reason this filtering method has proved popular in schools, yeshivot, and other settings in which filtering is required across multiple computers, device types, and operating systems. Open DNS also automatically blocks the Having an event or occasion in Israel? Looking for something unique and special? All Occasions & Numerous Locations! Banquet Hall, The Desert, The Ocean, Or EvenThe Kineret Glatt Kosher & Beit Yosef Meats Lamb, Beef , Duck & More Marinated And Smoked! Holyland Catering by Eddie Levy (brother of Gabe Levy chef ofWendy’s Plate) Has over 35 years of catering experience We will make your party one to talk about & give you a taste you will never forget! Holyland Catering Call: 01197289765260 • email: ezranlevy@hotmail.com 52 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE