Community Magazine April 2012

aforementioned proxying websites, as well as other illicit means of navigating around standard filtering. When using Open DNS for filtering, one must ensure that those who are supposed to have their internet filtered are not able to change the DNS settings on their computers. This can be accomplished by adjusting computer administrator privileges in the computer’s operating system. Religious ISPs An easy solution for Jewish families is to simply subscribe to an internet service provider which is run by Orthodox Jews who ensure that access to websites deemed inappropriate by Jewish standards are blocked. Two such providers in Israel are E-Nativ (www.enativ. com), and Rimon (www.neto.net.il ). Cost-wise, however, it may be more cost-efficient to go with a standard ISP and maintain the filtering yourself. YeshivaNet Those living in the U.S. can opt for YeshivaNet (yeshivanet.com ) as their internet service provider (ISP). Like its Haredi-run counterparts in Israel, YeshivaNet only allows users to connect to websites specifically requested by its users and authorized by YeshivaNet administrators. The provider, which, according to its website, has received the warm approbation of a number of rabbanim, offers both internet and virus-free email, as well as a choice between dial-up service and faster DSL lines. The advantage of filtering via your ISP rather than by software is significant: filtering is done at the source, thus negating the risk of the owner himself having access to inappropriate websites. The provided internet connection may not be as cost-effective, or reliable as that offered by secular, mainstream providers, and the filtering is considerably tighter, as users must choose each individual website they wish to access, rather than specifying the broad categories of sites. For example, a user may come across a valid Torah or financial website that he wants to access, but to do so he must manually request access from the service provider. But for those who value most its ease of implementation and high level of security, YeshivaNet is a good option. A Cyber-Safety Stipulation Although these programs and services are generally reliable and effective when used properly, they are not foolproof. Most filtering programs either rely on computer algorithms or a very overworked team of technicians to maintain the list of blocked websites, both of which are quite obviously limited in their capabilities. The effectiveness of any filter is also limited by its implementation – keeping passwords secure and impossible to guess, updating the program regularly, and, of course, remembering to actually turn the filter on. Parents of genuine computer geniuses should also be aware that any filter can be defeated with enough time and effort. As such, discretion and close parental supervision will always be necessary to ensure spiritually safe surfing. With that in mind, we can understand why many experts maintain that one of the best ways to ensure internet safety is a through a decidedly low tech solution: by keeping the computer in a public area of the house where people are constantly passing through and effectively playing the role of good-old-fashioned human filters. 54 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE