What it does . A basic software filter purports to prevent children from reaching inappropriate web sites.
Some products add antivirus protection or rudimentary privacy safeguards.
Otherwise, filtering software is a product you buy at retail or download. Using the Ratings . The tests behind the Ratings Protection is based on the ability to block web sites containing objectionable material, such as sexual content or promotion of crime, bigotry, violence, tobacco, or drugs. Failure to block at least 35 percent of these sites was judged poor. Interference is based on how often a filter blocked web sites containing potentially controversial but legitimate material, such as sex education, the abortion-rights debate, or gun control.