Bess (censorware)

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Bess is a brand of content-control software (often referred to as censorware) made by Secure Computing Corporation, which acquired maker N2H2 in 2003; it is usually used in libraries and schools. The main purpose of the system is as an Internet filter, blocking minors using the public computers from accessing web content deemed inappropriate by the Bess manufacturers or local administration. The system is not installed locally (on each individual computer workstation), but installs on the server between the users and the open Internet. This generally makes it harder to bypass - though it is not uncommon for students with more extensive computer knowledge to attempt to bypass the system, with varying success.

The system is compliant with the Children's Internet Protection Act. Like other similar filters, Bess has come under attack for unnecessarily impeding wholesome school research (false positives), being too aggressive in its filtering procedures or not being aggressive enough in its filtering procedures. Other critics believe that the imposition of Internet filtering without the consent of the user (mandatory filtering) constitutes a violation of the First Amendment.

1 Categories usually blocked by the system
2 Exception categories
3 Methods of bypass
4 See also
5 External links

The system is intended to evolve based on reused sites. Any loopholes in these blocking categories are supposed to be filled in with use.

[edit] Exception categories

Education
For Kids
History
Medical
Moderated

[edit] Methods of bypass

It is common for students to use a web proxy to get around Bess. While Bess may block the proxy, there are always more proxies unfound. Alternatively, other browsers can be used. Since most schools use internet explorer, a student can use another browser such as Firefox and configure it to use a secure proxy. Web page translators can also be used as proxies. Although common ones like Google and Alta Vista are usually blocked, less common ones including those in another language are usually available. Students may use other methods that are easily available after some research. You can also write a registry file that sets up a different proxy.