Web Content Filtering - What Does It Actually Mean?

  To answer that question, let me begin by taking you back in history a bit, to catch-up!! Did you know that WWW as we know it today, has evolved out of an "Internet", that was originally conceived much differently. Yes, exchange of information and files was always there, but it happened rather differently! In fact WWW evolved much later than emails. Naturally security issues and solutions have also evolved, in the same foot-steps. We started using anti virus to check content of emails, and SPAM filters, etc. to manage the nuisance created by unwanted emails, cumulatively we relate to these two as content filtering for emails. Nearly similar situation presents itself today, as we access the WWW, and we use web-content filtering, to safeguard ourselves.

The entire evolution actually happened on two fronts (or layers as we call them technically) actually. The Network and the Application. Routers were built to inter-connect various networks; and Firewalls were built to ensure the connections happened, exactly as desired. Similarly on the application layer, proxy servers were created to service the needs of the various applications and content filters were built to ensure that the content was of acceptable nature. And even technically speaking "Firewalls are of two types - Network Layer & Application Layer"; is an accurate statement. And from the security perspective these two forms of firewalls are both required and have a different job to do. But we'll come to that in a moment.

Content Filtering helps to prevent abuse, misuse and any other security breaches when users and their applications access the WWW. Paradoxically "Content Filtering" by itself is a much abused term, that has led to a lot of general confusion www.scoutdns.com. Simply speaking, it means defining "what may be allowed or denied accessed".

A legacy content filter allows you to define - just his "what", in terms of a set of web-site addresses. Whereas modern Content Filtering Software or an Application Layer Firewall - like SafeSquid, allows you to define this "what" more holistically and thus comprehensively address, the need to contextually relax or apply rules.

This definition of "what" therefore requires to be addressed in many more terms, rather than just web-site addresses. This "what" can be defined in terms of the actual nature of the content, and the definition is not necessarily restricted just by the web-site's address.

Every Proxy server is basically an Application Layer Firewall (ALF). Each of the the various filters in an ALF are individually governed by a global rule of Allow or Deny, and exceptions to the rule are set in the ALF's configuration, to precisely reflect the business needs of the implementation. Each of the filters' addresses one specific aspect of the content. This is quite similar in essence to a modern Network Layer Firewall (NLF). Primitive NLFs allowed you to merely allow or deny connections based on the source or target address in terms of I.P. Address and ports, however the more sophisticated developments allow you to even state protocols as parameter, besides other factors such as time of the day, and a more composite security by analyzing, the content (data packets), for malware, by referring the transported data packets, to an AntiVirus Software, or similar other technologies. However the inspection of the content is primarily the function and responsibility of the ALF. Some NLFs offer these functions as an additional feature, because it makes the NLF more beneficial and interesting from the TCO perspective.

Modern Application Layer Firewalls have a comprehensive set of individual filters or processes that holistically allow you to gain access and content control over the way your resources are used. This is achieved by employing a variety of filters, each serving a specific purpose. Some of these filters, parametrically analyze the content, in real-time and then take appropriate action, whereas some do not require the content to be actually downloaded, to take any action. Thus the focus is more on the logic behind an activity, rather than merely the act itself.

Almost all modern ALFs today minimally provide virus scanning of all the content transferred and thus deliver well as a Gateway Anti Virus. But a typical HTTP application is constituted by a variety of independent or inter-linked factors. A specific filter addresses a specific factor. Some ALFs like SafeSquid allow you to frame rules to define policies in terms of all of these features. The factors that can be commonly applicable are "Profiled" and then they are either subjected to (or immunized against) appropriate filters. These filters are either static or dynamic. Here's a list of some of the very important filters and their specific functions. Notice that the function is directly related to their conditional parameters.

* Access Restriction Allow or deny access to a user, and create a Profile.

Basic Conditional Parameters: username, I.P. Address.

Offer additional privileges like:

Global Bypass to one or more filters.

Access to Browser based GUI.

Any other privileges a user must always (uniquely) enjoy.

* URL Filter Allow or Deny access to content from a particular URL.

Basic Conditional Parameters: Hostname, I.P. Address, file name

* URL Blacklists Allow or Deny access to content from a web-sites listed under a specific category

Basic Conditional Parameters: Category

* Mime Filter Allow or Deny access to content of a particular content-type.

Basic Conditional Parameters: Mime-Type, File-name extensions.

* Cookie Filter Allow or deny exchange of cookie to or from a particular Domain.

Basic Conditional Parameters: Cookie's - Domain Attribute, Path Attribute, Expiry time ( year, month, hour, minute), Direction - Attributes (Inbound, Outbound)

* Keyword Filter Deny Access to web-sites containing unacceptable words or phrases

Basic Conditional Parameters: Patterns of Words and phrases, score

* Document Rewrite Replace or modify unacceptable portions of a web-page.

Basic Conditional parameters: Content Patterns that should be replaced, Pattern of replaced content

* Image Filter Deny Access to pornographic images.

Basic Conditional Parameters: Probability threshold, above which the image may be treated as pornographic

* DNS Blacklist Deny access to content served from malafide servers

Do you know that you can now filter bad online content so it never hits your computer screen? Most people go online dreading the inevitable incidence of coming across a less than pleasant website or witnessing the distaste of an adult natured pop-up advertisement. What most of them don't realize just yet is that they can get rid of those unpleasant elements of the internet by installing web content filtering software.

A good online content filtering software is deigned to find the bad content that you do not want to view and filter it out before it can actually be displayed on your screen. This may include warning you before you visit a website which is adult in nature, blocking unappealing advertisements within websites, or preventing some unpleasant pop-ups from showing on your screen.

Web content filtering software is great for adults who just don't want to see the negative aspects of the web as well as for parents who do not want to expose their children to any adult material. The only way to effectively filter bad content and prevent things that are adult natured from showing online is to use filtering or blocking software.

The good news is literally everyone can use web content filtering software and most of the leading brands will completely filter bad online content so your time spent online is more enjoyable.

The best way to access this software is through the internet since it will be available for instant download without any time waiting for something to come in the mail. You can also find reviews for different types of web content filtering software in order to determine the most effective product for your home. Take the time to do this research and you will discover that many others have already used these software programs to filter bad online content from their computers.

Best Creatine Supplement - The Vital Facts

For bodybuilders or athletes the best creatine supplement represents a fundamental constituent in their career. Creatine is a natural chemical produced within the skeletal muscle in the body and contains stockpiles of energy, hence its importance particularly to the physically active persons. Production of creatine within the body can be boosted via our diet and dietary supplements. Fish and red meat are identified as foods that have high creatine https://www.fletchreviews.com. The best creatine will aid the enhancement of athletic prowess and help in the process of building healthy body muscle.

The best creatine supplement acts in a similar manner to a vitamin supplement but the associated benefits of creatine are not just nourishing the energy levels of the body. The natural and best creatine supplement does not yield any harmful side effects like in the case of steroids and it is established as a totally safe way of adding to the deficit of creatine levels within the body system. The best creatine will work on enhancing the natural production of creatine in the body and facilitating better functional order by energizing body cells. Unlike steroids which only accelerate the rate of muscle growth without having to workout, creatine will help an athlete to maintain perfect physical appearance by acting as an endless energizer needed to carryout strenuous exercising schedules.

The best creatine supplement is suited to anyone looking to maintain stronger energy levels while body builders, athletes and other sportspersons stand to benefit in higher degrees. Improved muscled mass, enhanced skeletal muscle energy, enhanced protein synthesis, acting as a lactic acid buffer and better mental energy are not the only advantages the best creatine can achieve, to date creatine supplements have not been reported for any adverse affects or been associated with negative reports as have happened with steroid consumers.

However, caution should be exercised in the intake of creatine doses as excessive it will place further stress on the liver and it would lead to adverse reactions in the body with extended use. Approximately 95 - 98% creatine is stored within the muscle tissues while the rest is stored away in the brain and other parts of the body. Normally the level of creatine in a person's body will depend on the body weight and lean muscle mass. It is difficult to enhance the creatine level without seeking the aid of a creatine supplement. The determining factors for a best creatine supplement will be the direction of intake, type of creatine, rate of absorption, level of absorption and how much creatine will reach in to the muscle tissue.

Before we start analyzing which one is the best creatine supplement we should take a look back on how creatine was established as one of the top supplements in sports. Creatine was introduced in 1993 after the Olympic Games of Barcelona. Many athletes who took part in those games used creatine supplements to maximize their performance and win medals. Since it is a completely natural substance, there was no limitation on its use. It is being produced from the organism and it is also to be found in meat, fish, etc. It takes part in the muscle contraction process which leads to muscle regeneration after hard and intensive workouts.

Creatine has proven to be a supplement that systematically helps increase performance. It is used widely in bodybuilding and strength sports and it is common knowledge that it assists building muscles and strength. What makes creatine unique as a supplement is that it is still popular in the market after all this years. Despite the myths that follow creatine, studies have shown that reasonable intake can only be beneficial.

Unlike other supplements creatine cannot be taken continuously without resting periods. Directions written on the product must be followed precisely. So, you have decided to put creatine in your bodybuilding schedule and you are searching for the best creatine supplement. First of all, you have to choose which type of creatine to take. These are the most common ones:

• Creatine Mono-hydrate

• Creatine Ester Ethyl

• Creatine Citrate

• Ester Creatine, or Creatine Ester Ethyl Hydrochloride

Don't get confused, they all work the same for you. They provide your muscles creatine, which is what you ultimately need. However, my experienced with creatine mono-hydrate was excellent. I never tried any other type. If you are willing to try them all just go ahead. You might want to find out which one works best for you.

When it comes on choosing what brand to buy, you should focus only to the top in the market. Creatine supplements are relatively cheap so don't hesitate to reach for top quality. Personally, I believe that Optimum Nutrition Creatine Powder is the best creatine supplement. It provides your muscles with pure creatine, which means energy boost, stronger and longer workouts, results that you can see in a short period of time.

Remember, that creatine intake and hard workout must be inseparable. Combination of intensive training, creatine and protein supplements is the key to optimal muscle build and development. Keep those muscles pumping!