Content filter

A content filter monitors Web and messaging applications for inappropriate content, spam, intellectual property breach, non-compliance with an organization’s security policies, and banned file types. The filters can help to keep illegal material out of an organization’s systems, reduce network traffic from spam, and stop various forms of cyber attacks. They can also keep track of which users are browsing the Web, when, where, and for how long.

There are three main types of content filters: (1) Web filters, which screen and exclude from access or availability Web pages that are deemed objectionable or non-business related; (2) messaging filters, which screen messaging applications such as e-mail, instant messaging, short message service, and peer-to-peer service for spam or other objectionable content; and (3) Web integrity filters, which ensure the integrity of an entity’s Web pages.