This refers to the category of website which the filters can block or allow such as Adult content, Crime, Dating, etc.

This is referring to the filter blocking a web paged based on the detection of a keyword found on or within the website. A keyword list is normally defined by the user.

This refers to the ability of the filter to analyse a web page dynamically and determine the category of a page based on its content. This is better than a blacklist because of the rate that websites change and new ones appear a blacklist can never be 100% up to date. Dynamic analysis is more sophisticated than simple keyword blocking and is better at differentiating pages with similar words but of different categories resulting in greater accuracy and reduced false blocking. This feature is particularly useful in blocking websites that have content that changes on a regular basis such as news sites. Some days the content may be appropriate whereas others it may not be.

A filter category refers to a distinguishable type or genre of website such as Adult Content, Internet Banking, Obscene/Gross, Crime etc.

A list of websites that are blocked based on URL category. Most filters will have 2 types of blacklists, an inbuilt blacklist that is compiled by the software developers and comes with the software and a user defined blacklist which is a feature that allows the user to add sites to the blacklist to be blocked.

This term refers to a list of sites that are allowed. This normally refers to something that is defined by the user to allow any sites that are being blocked but need to be allowed by the user. Some filters incorporate external whitelist so as to provide a closed off environment only allowing access to a pre-approved list of web sites.

This feature refers to the ability to block the use of chat programs such as MSN and Yahoo Messenger and filter any inappropriate words or keywords from being sent.

This feature refers to the ability of a filter to log and report chat conversation between users.

Allows you to control the use of newsgroups.

This is a feature that is able to block access to file sharing networks and applications used to download content that may be copyrighted or pornographic.

This allows you to block FTP (File Transfer Protocol).

This refers to the ability to allow or block certain TCP/IP ports from accessing the internet.

Filters inappropriate content from emails.

The ability to block emails.

Popups are when a particular browser window opens a new window. This feature refers to the ability of the filter to prevent this from happening.

The ability of the filter to detect individuals that may be grooming children via the use of inappropriate communication via email, chat rooms or instant messaging.

The blocking of personal information such as names, addresses and credit card numbers from leaving your computer.

The ability to be able to access the reporting features of the filter from a remote location such as another computer on the network or from an external location such as the workplace.

This refers to a feature that sends an email notification when the filter blocks or has detected inappropriate content.

The ability to send a report of internet activity to a supplied email address.

Provides a summary report of internet access.

Shows a detailed report of all activity including blocked and visited web sites.

Notifies the user via email of any attempted security breaches.

You can create individual profiles to differentiate levels of access between different users.

Allows passwords to be required to change settings or override a blocked site.

Allows the user to change the settings remotely.

Allows the software to function without any indication that a filter is present.

Allows a user with the specific privileges to override a page block with a password.

This refers to a feature that allows warning the user of inappropriate content and giving the option to continue instead of blocking a particular page.

The ability to set daily time and data limits for a user.

Refers to the effect that the filter has on the speed of loading a web page and whether it affects the performance of the internet connection that it is filtering.

The ability to change the sensitivity of the Dynamic Filtering aspect of the filters in order to fine tune the performance.