Web Filtering: How we tested
We tested web filtering packages against three different criteria; how well they stood up to manufacturer claims, how easy they were to use, and ultimately how effective they were at blocking out content.
In order to test the effectiveness and claims of each product, they were tested against a master list of sites likely to trigger filtering software. This is an imprecise science, but then so is the whole filtering software approach, as what each individual thinks of as objectionable varies so widely. All of our test sites were selected via very simple Google searches in order to make them as accessible as possible to both end-users and filtering software companies.
Our list was broken across eleven categories:
Pornographic Sites
These were sites that marketed themselves as containing adult explicit images, as well as archives of intentionally disgusting images.
Possibly Pornographic Sites
Sites containing some partially clothed models, bikinis, sites detailing non-genitally focused fetishes
Sexual Matters Sites
Sites relating to sexual health and politics, gay and lesbian issues and sites containing words that may trigger a filter looking for sexual material.
Bomb Recipes
Howto guides for bomb making, bomb threat checklists
Sites of a non-right wing nature
Opponents of filtering packages often claim that such packages are tilted to the conservative; we wanted to test how true this is. Politically liberal sites including drug advocacy pages.
Hate sites
Sites advocating intolerance, as well as those sites that track hate sites and groups
Religious/Anti-Religious Sites
Including what could be termed 'cult' sites, mainstream religion and anti-religion pages.
Gambling sites
Online casinos and betting operations.
ZDNet's own sites
Included as a control sample; there should be little that a filter objects to in our own sites.
'Naughty' content sites
Sites that may contain objectionable terms, primarily humour sites. Includes a comical stick-figure porn site, a dictionary search for the 'F' word, and several humour sites.
Filtering critical sites
Includes a site designed to parody the word-filtering approach taken by some filtering products.
| Introduction | Editor's Choice | How we tested | |
| AllegroSurf | ChildSafe | ChildWebGuardian | ControlKids |
| CyberPatrol | Cybersitter | Net Nanny | WeBlocker |
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