On This Page

Service Description Available Service Options Features Filtering Categories Eligibility Pricing Conditions for Use Ordering and Activation Cancellations Contact Information

Internet Content Filtering Information

ICF Service Home MOREnet-hosted Filtering Member-hosted Filtering Frequently Asked Questions Order Form (PDF file, 80 KB )

Internet Content Filtering

Service Description

MOREnet offers Internet Content Filtering (ICF) powered by SmartFilter® Bess® Edition to all interested members.

The Missouri State Library provided one-time hardware and software start-up costs using Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds to help make the service more affordable for school libraries and public libraries.

Available Service Options

Before purchasing one of these service options, contact MOREnet Technical Support to determine which solution is the best fit for your networking needs.

MOREnet-hosted: MOREnet manages the hardware and software. Each Web request is checked against the MOREnet server before a connection to the site is allowed. Your organization has access to a Web-based interface that gives you complete control over your organization's filtering configuration. Click here for more information on MOREnet-hosted Internet Content Filtering.

Customer-hosted: The filtering hardware and software are located on the member network and on member-provided equipment. This configuration allows the organization to have complete control over the service and receive access to the full reporting and configuration capabilities that SmartFilter has to offer. The member is responsible for providing and maintaining the hardware and software. MOREnet is available to provide support on the installation and maintenance of the Windows interface. Click here for more information on Customer-hosted Internet Content Filtering.

If a current MOREnet Internet Content Filtering customer would like to switch from one type of service to another (e.g., MOREnet-hosted to customer-hosted) please contact MOREnet at adminsupp@more.net or (800) 509-6673.

Features

• Filtered Web Traffic: Global filtering by IP address and IP address range, along with the ability to customize filtering solutions by organization. The content filter only filters Web traffic on port 80.
• Interface: Easy to use user interface that enables the administration of filtering settings.
• Custom Categories: Create and populate an unlimited number of customized block or allow categories.
• Filter by Group: Gives administrators the flexibility to assign filters based on multiple criteria. For example, a lab with several workstations might be filtered by IP address or IP address range and assigned the highest level of filtering, while that same organization might assign a less restrictive filter set to a different IP address range. This feature also allows the removal of an individual workstation by IP address from the filter.
• Schedule-based Filtering: Assign filtering based on a particular time of day. For instance, the most restrictive filtering can be applied from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a more relaxed filter setting assigned during the lunch hour or after hours.
• Block and Allow File Types: In addition to filtering Web traffic, administrators can choose to block or allow specific file types, such as MP3 or other bandwidth-intensive files accessed through the Web browser.
• Reporting: Reporting tools are available to help you understand Internet activity and pinpoint potential problems. Activity logs are kept for two weeks. A limited number of reports are available through the MOREnet-hosted solution. More extensive reporting is available through the Customer-hosted solution.
• Customized Redirect Page: Customize the message that appears on the page notifying a user that a site has been blocked.

Filtering Categories

The vendor employs a full-time staff to compile its categorized database of Web content. While others rely solely on technology to detect and harvest Web content, the proprietary process uses a combination of technology and human review. This process reduces frustrations associated with "keyword blocking" methods including denied access to sites regarding breast cancer, sex education, religion and health. Bess categories are listed at http://www.securecomputing.com/index.cfm?skey=86.

The manufacturer maintains a database of over 70 categories of sites that may be blocked. New sites are monitored and regularly updated to the database. Customers can specify categories of sites, and the product will automatically block the sites determined by the manufacturer to be in that category. However, individual members can add or delete from the categories and can specify individual sites not in a category that they want blocked.

Eligibility

Only MOREnet members are eligible for the Internet Filtering service.

Pricing

Per vendor requirements, purchase subscriptions using the pricing schedule below based on total Internet-accessible computers at the site.

Once a year, MOREnet will request updates from subscribers on the number of Internet-accessible computers so that an accurate number of subscriptions are purchased. If you have an increase in the number of Internet-accessible computers at any time during the year, please let MOREnet know so that we can purchase subscriptions for them.

Conditions for Use

This service is provided with the understanding that no filter is perfect in blocking all Internet sites that are in conflict with federal law. The provision of this service and an organization's voluntary use of this service are good-faith efforts to meet the requirements of federal laws. MOREnet is not liable to any party for any direct, indirect, special or consequential damages resulting from any use of this service or any outage, planned or unplanned, of this service.

Ordering and Activation

To purchase MOREnet's Internet Content Filtering solution, complete the Internet Content Filtering Order Form.

1. Fax or mail a completed Order Form with copy of a purchase order to MOREnet. The billing process will begin automatically upon receipt of the order form. The service will be prorated by the month of entry for orders received after the start of the fiscal year. By June 1 of each year, organizations will be required to provide an updated count of workstations so that the correct number of licenses may be purchased. Organizations will then be billed the annual rate for their number of licenses.
2. You will receive an e-mail that includes information on training for the Internet Content Filtering service.
3. MOREnet will process your filtering request upon receipt of the order form. To delay activation of the service, contact MOREnet Technical Support at 1-800-509-6673 or techsupp@more.net. MOREnet will contact you with your account information upon activation.
• A minimum level of filtering using Criminal Skills, Hacking, Hate Speech, Pornography, Sexual Materials and Violence categories will be configured by MOREnet Technical Support. The category selection can then be changed at any time by the organization.
• Upon receipt of the account information you can customize your organization's profile or Technical Support will work with you to configure and enable the filtering service.

Cancellations

Service cancellations must be received by June 1 to avoid being charged for an additional year. There are no refunds available for this service.

Contact Information

For more information about, or to subscribe to, MOREnet's Internet Content Filtering service, contact your MOREnet program group's Program Manager at (573) 884-7200 or by e-mail:

• K-12 TNP: Eric Nicklas at eric@more.net
• Higher Education: Nancy Piringer at piringern@more.net
• MOREnet Affiliates: Nancy Piringer at piringern@more.net
• REAL: Jeanne Sullivan at jeanne@more.net