Extreme

URLs providing content considered gory, perverse, or horrific in nature. The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) data is included in this category and is filtered by default and cannot be bypassed or strayed onto in error.

Malicious Sites

URLs that deploy code designed specifically to hijack your computer's settings or activity. Some examples include self-installing applications (called "drive-by" executable file downloads), Trojans, and viruses that exploit security vulnerabilities in browsers or other applications. It is possible for a Web site to lose its malicious status and be re-categorized. This category is differentiated from the Spyware/Adware category by its intent. Spyware/Adware is intended to covertly gather and send information to another party; malicious sites intend to take action on another computer to cause damage.

Phishing

Links to URLs that typically arrive in hoax e-mails established to steal user account information. These sites falsely represent themselves and appear as legitimate company URLs in order to deceive and obtain user account information that can be used to perpetrate fraud or theft.

Spam URLs

Links to URLs that arrive in unsolicited spam e-mails. Spam URL content ranges from product marketing to potentially offensive or fraudulent sites. Also included are sites built only for spamming purposes such as spam blogs or comment spam. Links to URLs that typically arrive in hoax e-mails established to steal user account information are not included.

Spyware / Adware

URLs that download or execute software intended to gather user information and send it to a third party without the user's explicit knowledge or consent. Web sites that download Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) are included. This category is differentiated from the Malicious Sites category by its intent. Spyware/Adware is intended to covertly gather and send information to another party. The intent of a malicious site is to install or take an action without user approval or knowledge.

In addition, Brightfilter allows you to block access to the following:

Pornographic Content

Brightfilter makes use of the most comprehensive database available to block sites which contain pornographic content. Having evolved over 15 years and containing millions of websites, Brightfilter allows parents to confidently block all unsuitable material for children. The accuracy of the database has brought approval from the CIPA and iiA Family Friendly Filter agencies in the US, UK and Australia respectively, amongst other country-specific controls and requirements.

Gambling

With the recent emergence of online gambling sites, Internet users are constantly exposed to advertisements offering free trials and sign-ups to online games which involve gambling. Brightfilter Parental Control catalogues these websites and empowers the administrator to block access to all these sites at the click of a button.

Crime

Fraud, theft and how-to commit online fraud guides are prevalent throughout the web. An inquisitive or unwitting web user could expose themselves to this type of content and in-turn be exposed to the illegal activities described. Brightfilter blocks all known instances of these websites under the Criminal Activities category.

Racism

Xenophobic or extremist views which encourage the oppression of a specific group of individuals is blocked through the filtering of websites which contain this type of content. Blocking Hate/Discrimination sites will ensure that this content cannot be viewed by minors.

Paedophiles

Brightfilter Parental Control blocks CAI (Child Abuse Images) as defined by the UK's IWF (Internet Watch Foundation). By using the Brightfilter software on a PC, websites which contain CAI images as well as Extreme pornography are blocked by default and cannot be bypassed by any user. In addition, methods by which paedophiles attempt to contact children can also be controlled whereby access can be blocked or permitted only at pre-specified and supervised times of the day.

Bullying

With the spread of Social Networking sites, online content can change in a matter of seconds thereby exposing individuals to website text and images which may target an individual without any form of moderation or content checking. Brightfilter empowers the administrator to block this form of material through controlling un-moderated Forums and Social Networking Sites.

View a full list of the categories we block »