Group claims software disables porn filters

From...

by Douglas Gray

(IDG) -- Widely-used civic and corporate Internet filtering programs such as SurfWatch, Cyber Patrol, Net Nanny, CYBERsitter, X-Stop, PureSight and Cyber Snoop could all be rendered useless simply by using the new "anti-filtering" software from free speech group Peacefire, the group said Monday.

The software, also called Peacefire, can be downloaded for free from the group's Web site. It can disable filtering software versions available and installed prior to Dec. 17, the group said in a statement on the Web site.

"This software is being released in response to the passage of a bill by Congress that requires the use of blocking software in schools and libraries that receive federal funds," a message on the site said.

IDG.net INFOCENTER ITWorld.com home ITWorld.com Webcasts ITWorld.com forums Free e-mail newsletters Related IDG.net Stories ACLU blasts library filtering legislation Porn filter on e-mail easily tricked

The Peacefire site refers users to another site explaining the Labor HHS Education Appropriations Bill, which has a rider mandating that "libraries and schools use valuable resources to install and maintain unreliable Internet filters, or be stripped of key federal funding," according to the Web site.

Peacefire, which was founded in 1996 to represent the interests of minors in Internet free speech issues, has been working on "anti-filtering" issues since 1998. The group's Web site lists ways to get around filtering software, as well as indexing Web sites blocked by filtering software.

Porn filter on e-mail can be easily tricked
November 27, 2000
Schools try to raise good e-citizens
November 17, 2000
White House won't fight anti-porn measures
November 1, 2000
GOP legislators: Schools filter Web -- or no Net funds
October 19, 2000
OPINION: Apple's OS 9 key to regulating porn online
December 10, 1999

ACLU blasts library filtering legislation
(InfoWorld.com)
Porn filter on e-mail easily tricked
(IDG.net)
SurfControl unveils new filtering software
(IDG.net)
Panel's report to pan Net filters at libraries and schools
(InfoWorld.com)
Picking the right online babysitter
(Network World Fusion)
KidSafe: No choice at all
(PCWorld.com)
Managed security or Web censorship?
(InfoWorld.com)
Kids Passport controls young browsers
(PCWorld.com)

Peacefire

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.