Web Content Filter
BCPS uses an industry standard web content filter on division computers. While content filters are required by law, they also do a number of very positive things for us
- They protect students. As the safety of our students is our number one priority, we must do what we can to ensrue that students' technology experiences do not include exposure to illicit or otherwise inappropriate web sites.
- They protect our network. Our school division is dependent on our use of a secure, reliable network of computers. A web content filter does much to keep out malicious software that can disrupt operations.
- They save money. Computer networks protected by a web content filter fail less often, which means that students and staff are able to use technology resources on demand. Likewise, technology staff are able to better focus attention on moving forward with new applications rather than repairing equipment/software exposed to the many types of malware that will inevitably creep into our network. Further, content filters and other network settings help protect our limited bandwidth by prioritizing the types of web traffic on our system, and then limiting traffic that is noneducational.
- They keep students and staff focused on things educational. By definition, web content filters reduce the number and types of web sites that are allowed to pass through to students and staff. Without an active web content filter in place, internet traffic tends to move away from educational uses. Businesses, industry and educational institutions all use web content filters to help keep patrons focused on the task at hand.
Web content filters work in several ways to protect students, network assets, money and mission:
- They block websites that are characterized into groups that
There are times when commonly used filter settings may