Consumer Reports: Internet Filters Better But Still Flawed

-- Library Journal, 6/8/2005

The latest tests by Consumer Reports (CR) of filtering software show that filters targeting the home market are now better at blocking pornography—but also tend to overblock. Additionally, CR found the software less effective at blocking sites promoting hatred, illegal drugs, or violence. Of course, the tests were aimed at home use, so they assessed a broader range of blocking than libraries typically would consider, and considered many products not used by libraries. “The best porn blockers were heavy-handed against sites about health issues, sex education, civil rights and politics,” the magazine reported, also recommending that parents supervise their children’s web use. A sidebar on school and library filters noted that librarians and educators can help customize the filtering systems, making sure it aims to block objectionable sites without interfering excessively with legitimate ones.