Infopeople Webcast Series

Technology Tuesdays: Internet Filters

Infopeople is supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. Any use of this material should credit the author and funding source.

Internet Filtering: What Have You Done

For Me Lately?

Tuesday, January 13, 2004

12 Noon to 1pm

Presenter: Lori Bowen Ayre

LBAyre@galecia.com

Technical HousekeepingNo handouts, just PPT and libraryfiltering.orgUse Chat window to ask questions or post to group

Click IM button to send a private message

For technical problems, send IM to HorizonHelp

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Webcast is being archived; will be available on Infopeople’s website tomorrow

Agenda for Today

Review – filtering basics– CIPA

Features all libraries need– accurate and customizable block lists– flexible and easy-to-use override features– informative block page– feedback mechanism

Other features needed if using categories

Some Filtering Basics

Filters block access to a web page based on rules

Same rule can apply to all users – single block list, or

Different rules can be applied to different groups of users (“filter profiles”)

Administrator creates “filter profiles” by selecting categories of content to block for each group

CIPA and E-Rate

The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) mandates that anyone receiving E-Rate discounts on their Internet access costs must filter all their computers, including staff computers.

“install a technology protection measure that protects against visual depictions of material that is obscene, child pornography or harmful to minors”

Library Bill of Rights

Libraries should challenge censorship in fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.

A person's right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background or views.

Rocks and Hard Places

I am not pro- filterI am not anti-filterI am anti-CIPA I am attempting to help libraries find the

best spot for them between the rock and the hard place

Libraries Have Three Choices

1. Minimally filter everyone

2. Filter all computers but use different “filter profiles” for groups of library users

3. Give up E-Rate discounts and do whatever you want to do

Filter Features Important to All Libraries

Flexible and easy-to-use override features

Informative block pageAccurate and customizable block

listsFeedback mechanism for patrons

If minimally filtering all users the same

Do not need an expensive filter– don’t need multiple filter profiles

Do need access to a reliable block list– list should be viewable – monitoring overblocks less problematic– fewer override requirements– may not need to offer “disable filter” option

if only blocking illegal content

If Filtering Users Differently

Will undoubtedly use “categories”– will be blocking content way beyond CIPA

requirements– requires greater oversight– requires ability to modify how sites are

categorizedDo need a feature-rich filter

– more overrides will be necessary– must be able to “disable filter”– need good reporting tools

Additional Features Needed If Using Content Categories

Greater flexibility in handling overrides

Ability to disable filter Good reporting tools for monitoring

blocksAbility to re-categorize URLs

Features We’ll Discuss Today

Flexible and easy-to-use override featuresAbility to disable filtering

Informative block page

Feedback mechanism for patrons

Accurate and customizable block listsGood reporting tools for monitoring blocks

Ability to re-categorize sites

Overriding a Blocked Page

Important to correct erroneously blocked sitesMust be done immediately, not in a couple daysAny staff person should be able to do it from

patron’s workstation

Every library must be able to override a blocked

site on the fly

How Override Features Are Implemented

Send in request electronicallyWarnTemporary password for patronPassword Override

– Block page– System tray (like WinSelect)

“Send” Override Request

If local admin– Adds computer to no-filter

group, or– Adds site to never block list,

or– Re-categorizes site (requires

review) If filter company….come

back tomorrow

Advantage: request can be anonymous

Message typed in by user requesting overrideMay go to local admin or filter company

Warn

Patron can override their own blocked siteFilters can record overrides for later

review by staff

Sorry! The content of this URL is currently blocked. http://www.teenc.com/ is rated as: nudity,pornography

If you require further assistance, please contact:the PC reservation clerk

or Click Here to Override

Temporary Password for Patron

How it works: batch of passwords available to distribute to patrons upon request

Advantages: less involvement for staff, more privacy for patrons

Disadvantage: managing a new batch of passwords each day can get messy

Password Override

Easiest for StaffCan sometimes control more than single

page overrides, including disabling filterDisadvantage: requires patron to “ask”

– site must be “bad” so patron discouraged from asking

– eliminates possibility of remaining private

Duration and Extent of Override

Duration– preset for all overrides, or – can be set on the fly

Apply override to – page– category– all blocking (effectively disabling filter)

Example of Flexible Override

Ability to Disable Filtering

Flexible password override features can allow staff to disable filtering

If not,– staff logs out Patron and logs them in under

“unfiltered” profile or

– administrator changes patron or computer to “unfiltered status”

Avoid products that require staff to track down the filter administrator every time a patron wants unfiltered access!

What About Passive Filtering?

Welcome to Happyvale Public LibraryThese computers are filtered. Here’s our AUP.

[No illegal anything, etc]

AGREE no filters please

AGREEbut keep filters on

If you are an adult and you agree to the AUP, you may choose to browse the Internet unfiltered by clicking the appropriate button below.

Passive Filtering So Far Not Permitted

Welcome to Happyvale Public LibraryThese computers are filtered. Here’s our AUP.

[No illegal anything, etc]

AGREE no filters please

AGREEbut keep filters on

If you are an adult and you agree to the AUP, you may choose to browse the Internet unfiltered by clicking the appropriate button below.

Passive Filtering Tips

1. Limit passive filtering options to adults

2. Require patrons to sign “Internet Use Agreement” stating a) they have read, understand and agree to IUPb) the have selected unfiltered access

3. Annually renew the agreement

Risks of Noncompliance

It is unlikely that any library will be found “noncompliant” because the FCC

– is not proactively checking for CIPA compliance– is counting on community "concern" to serve as a

key mechanism to enforce compliance– stated they cannot determine if an image is

obscene

Having a policy in place to address complaints can help minimize any possibility of more

formal legal action.

Feedback Mechanism for Patrons is Important

the library belongs to the community

the library wants to avoid complaints to Board or FCC

How to Get Feedback

Place “Request Review of Website Categorization” on block page– message may go to library or filter company

Involve community in filtering decisions– AUP and filter strategy– website category reviews– analyze logs

Filter Feedback Forms

Respond to Feedback

Filter Feedback Form□ I’m generally happy with how filtering works in the

library but ________________________________ _________________________________________

□ I’m generally unhappy with how filtering works in

the library because__________________________ _________________________________________

□ Please add this site: _________________________

to the □ Never Block □Always Block list.

□ Let me know what you decide:____________________

(provide your name, phone and/or email)

Access Denied: The Block Page

Provide information about why page was blocked

Let them know their options

The “block page” is patrons first encounter with the filter

A Very Bad Block Page

Not FoundThe requested URL /hotpics.html was not found on this server.

Apache/1.3.14 Server at www.lustybabes.com Port 80

A Very Good Block Page

Click here if you believe the site has been erroneously blocked and we

will review it.

Please Review

Read IUP

This page is blocked based on the library’s Internet Use Policy (IUP).

Access to Page Denied

http://allabouteve.com is rated as sexually explicit.

For immediate access to this page, contact any library staff.

Considerations for the Block Page

How can patrons provide feedback if they don’t know they were blocked?

How can patrons know if block was in error if they don’t know category or URL? Make it possible to get to IUP from block page Allow everyone to contribute feedback – make

anonymous feedback possible

Using Categories

Filter companies classify websites into content categories

Library chooses content categories to blockCannot see URLs in each categoryCannot be sure how a site has been or will

be categorized

Librarians are Information Professionals

maintain your own lists

Using a filter with content categories amounts to outsourcing the cataloging job

monitor the work of your subcontractor closely

Your Choice

Your Choice

Category Related Responsibilities

Managing categories Monitoring accuracy of filter Overriding and disabling filter

Ability to Re-categorize URLs

Minimal Requirement: – ability to move URLs to “always allow” or

“always block” categories

Better: – ability to create new categories – ability to move URLs to a different category

Pornography Sex Education

William College“Sex & Sexuality”

Good Reporting Tools for Monitoring Blocks

Minimal Requirement:ability to view URLs blocked and the category that caused the block

Better:robust reporting tools

Examples of Reports

URLs Visited By Category

Blocked Sites By Category

Top External URL HitsTop Internal URL HitsSearch Engine Queries Instant Messaging for

All Users

Reports and Logs - Tips

Before choosing a filter– Make sure you know if reporting is included in price and if

there are any additional hardware or software requirements

Use them to analyze accuracy of filter Use them to learn about community’s interests Every day…purge information that links activity

logs to patron’s identity– IP address + sign-in list + time = patron identity

Generate summary reports for analysis

Ways to Maintain Your Own Lists

Use “always allow” and “always block” lists instead of relying on filter’s categories

If filter allows for creating new categories, build your own CIPA list

Use lists compiled by other information professionals – coordinate and share

How to Use “Always” Lists

Always Allow– *.edu and *.gov sites– get lists of good sites from reliable sources

• LII• Internet Public Library• Gary Price

Always Block– Get lists of sites to block from reliable sources– Share URLs with other libraries – Find sites in your own log files

Using and Sharing Lists

Must use a filter that can import free text lists – Squidgard

– WebMarshallUse available sources of such lists

– URLBlacklist.com

– University of ToulouseOr, use a product that doesn’t hide URLs so

you can modify list as needed

Advantages of Single CIPA List

Cheaper – not paying for categories and features you

don’t needEasier for staff

– no filter profiles to manage– fewer overrides– same filter policy applies to everyone

Better match for libraries – who better to decide what fits into “CIPA” category?

Hybrid Approach

minimal blocking for everyone using your own block list– try to match to CIPA mandate, or– block as little content as appropriate for

community• illegal + pornography

add a kid’s blocking program on kids computers only

Next Webcast: Product Highlights and Lowlights

We’ll review specific filters on the market today

Before then, please visit …

libraryfiltering.org

Bring questions!