The ever changing nature of the internet, whilst having its advantages, can be a cause of concern to many users. Whilst it is virutally impossible to ensure that all questionable content is avoided, there are a number of possible solutions, which when implemented can be highly effective.

One of the most effective solutions is constant parental supervision, however, as this can often be impractical, it is recommended that the computer be placed in a public area of the house. In addition to this, there are various software based content filtering solutions available.

Alphalink recommends NetNanny.

Net Nanny can filter content delivered by a number of different applications, such as web browsers, email, FTP, file-sharing, chat, and so on. It can be configured to allow different levels of access for different users, including the times at which each user is allowed to access the internet. It has its own site list which can be automatically updated, as well as a customisable site list. It scans for objectionable words or phrases, can use different site rating systems, and can also filter outbound traffic to prevent personal information from being sent. All attempts to access the configuration section or uninstall the program require a supervisor password; changing users requires a user password.

More information, including a 15-day free trial, can be found at http://www.netnanny.com

Alphalink advises that users in a business environment should consult their network administrator or an appropriate consultancy service if they wish to employ content control, as their needs are likely to be different to those of home users.

Note: The IIA also recommend a number of other content filtering software solutions for use within Australia. A list of these can be found here