CONFIGURATION INFORMATION
Q: What are the configuration setting for my dialer
A: Click
here for a general overview
ABOUT
FILTERING
Q: What is a filtered Internet?
A: This is a Service provided by an
Internet Service Provider (ISP) where "inappropriate sites" are blocked so their
content is not visible. To be effective, this blocking must be done by the ISP from
a huge library that is constantly updated. This service would also protect your
child from Internet sexual predators found on chat sites. By comparison, software
that resides on the individual computer (examples: CyberSitter, Net Nanny, Surf
Watch, Cyber Patrol, Safe Surf) is subject to bypass by a computer-literate child.
Q: What
does "inappropriate sites" mean?
A: These are Internet sites that have
no social redeeming value such as; pornographic materials, hate sites, animal cruelty,
bomb and criminal tools making, gambling, obscenity, drug & alcohol use, weapons,
murder/suicide and adult sites, crude or vulgar language, discrimination, denigration of
other's race, gender, religion, or nationality to name a few. In other words, those
things not appropriate for the children, family and work site.
Q: How Does the Filtering Work?
A: Safer Internet's filtering is Server Based, not computer
software; therefore, there is no need for our customers to continuously update
their software. Safer
Internet is updated every 24 hours.
Our comprehensive filtering solution includes: (1) the block list of known URL's, (2)
blocking of known pornographic hosting services, (3) the blocking of keywords in the url,
and (4) the blocking of keyword searches. There are MILLIONS of blocked websites as a
result of Safer Internet's intense filtering capability. Additionally, newsgroups are blocked because of the
uncontrollable amount of pornography contained within them.
Q: Isn't filtering a form of censorship?
A: No, absolutely not.
You do have the freedom of choice. If the previously mentioned material so readily
available to your children does not bother you, then you are free to choose another
Internet Service Provider.
Q: Is filtering "FOOL-PROOF"?
A: Due to the high level
of objectionable sites appearing on-line every day, the answer is no. We believe that
about 99% of all objectionable sites have been located and successfully blocked; however,
there will be websites from time to time missed or are brand new. It's usually a very
short period of time before Safer
Internet finds and eliminates access
to these websites. And in the event a customer finds a site that they feel should be
blocked or unblocked, they may simply eMail Safer Internet and
request a review. We will review and take the appropriate action with the
site within 24 hours when the website meets the filtering criteria, as set forth in our Filtering Policy.
Q: What happens if I try to access a blocked site?
A: You will be presented
with an "ACCESS DENIED" screen with our Safer Internet logo at the top center of
the page notifying you the site is blocked and access is impossible. Then, the user
has to hit the Back Key or enter a new site address to move away from this blocking
notification screen.
Q: With over 300 new sites being put on the Internet
daily, how can your Exclusion Library keep current?
A: Special browsers
called web crawlers are searching every 24 hours. The Exclusion Library is updated
every 24 hours so our service to you is the best it can be. However, if you should
find a questionable site, we encourage you to report it to us so we can take appropriate
action.
Q: Does this Exclusion Library work?
A: Instead of setting up
a library of sites "allowed" and blocking those not in the library, we use
exclusion filtering. This means our library a listing of all inappropriate sites
found on the Internet. The Service considers all sites acceptable unless the site is
listed in the Exclusion Library. Then it is blocked to your computer.
Q: Does Safer
Internet block all the sites they review?
A: No, only those fitting
our Filtering Policy.
Q: What if Parents / Administrators want to go to a blocked
site?
A: Safer Internet provides a special "profile" for the administrator or
parent. Call 740-623-2662 Ext. 116 for details.
Q: If a customer requests a site blocked, yet it does not
meet Safer Internet's filtering criteria, how can I block it from my
computer?
A: There are several types of software
that can be loaded to enable you to select and add blocking of sites. Unfortunately, our
experience has been that there are many ways around the software blocking. Using both
filtered access and software is the best security.
Q:
How does Safer Internet's filtering differ from software I can buy?
A: We believe that software alone blocks only about
85%, where Safer Internet's filtering solution is about 99% effective. Also, Safer Internet's filtering is performed from our servers, therefore the filtering cannot be
removed or uninstalled like software. And Software that can be purchased requires updating
constantly (almost every day) to give the filtering capability Safer Internet
provides. Moreover, most computer literate children quickly learn how to bypass this
type of software.
Q: Why is ISP filtering better than computer software?
A: ISP (server-side) filtering occurs
at the central computer (server) on a local area network. The inappropriate
information is blocked before it reaches your computer. The sorting library used is
updated daily assuring you that the most current information is always available. On
the other hand, software residing in your computer (client-side) can be bypassed by
someone and you would not even know it.
Q:
Does the filtering process slow down the access to the Internet?
A: Very slightly, but only by
milliseconds! A very short time to wait for a service that is so valuable. Since Safer Internet doesn't host pornography which uses lots of bandwidth, any time that was lost in
accessing a website is more than made up by available bandwidth to the Internet.
Q:
Do I have to have any special browser to use this service?
A: Any browser that is configurable to
run through a proxy. These include Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator and
Communicator, Mosaic, Web Explorer, and some others.
Q: Can't my proxy settings on my browser simply be turned off to circumvent Safer Internet's
filtering?
A: No. All requests
for websites must go through the proxy filter settings in order to download a web page.
Q: Why would a business be interested in this Service?
A: This Service would
assist in preventing wasted time due to non-business related web surfing. It also
has been shown to reduce the incidence of sexual harassment suits in the workplace.
In the long run, it emphasizes that the Internet is to be used as a business resource and
implies that the company is committed to integrity.
ABOUT eMAIL
Q:
How long does it take for eMail to be delivered?
A: Usually in seconds.
Q: Is
my eMail private (safe)?
A: Probably as safe as the US Mail Service. It would
be difficult for an eMail to be delivered to the wrong location. Those that have sensitive
information being transmitted should make sure they are equipped with encryption software.
Although it is always possible for a computer to be hacked or its security compromised, it
is unlikely that someone could intercept an eMail. Customers who purchase items through a
charge-card should make sure that they are on a secure server for maximum safety.
Q:
Can I have multiple eMail addresses?
A: Yes. Three email addresses per account and each
person will have a unique password for internal security. (Businesses, refer to the Pricing Page.) Safer Internet will
provide each member of your family with their own eMail address. Safer Internet provides Businesses with Internet packages that
provide the needed eMail addresses for employees. |
