K9 Web Protection
Encyclopedia
K9 Web Protection is a desktop-based content-control software
program created by Blue Coat Systems
.
The software operates without downloading a database to the desktop PC and instead looks to an Internet-based database. This means that the PC only needs a very small piece of code and the user can take advantage of the database being updated constantly. On the other hand, if the computer can't connect to this database for any reason (such as a firewall
blocking the connection), all web access will be disabled.
K9 Web Protection is proprietary software
which is free for home use. It is possible to have multiple licenses, and every computer needs a separate license. Its primary purpose is for parental control, but it is possible to use it for protection of their computer against computer viruses or malware
, or for self-blocking of pornography
(with an accountability partner
).
or file system will also lead to all web access being disabled.
protocol. Therefore, protocols such as FTP could theoretically be used to bypass the filter.
Additionally, because the software is installed on the operating system
rather than on a server
, a savvy user could bypass the filter by installing another operating system
onto the computer, or by running a Linux distribution such as Ubuntu straight from CD, therefore leaving no traces for the administrator to find. K9 does not accept passwords longer than 15 characters.
On the other hand, Neil J. Rubenking, lead analyst for security for PC Magazine
criticized the filter's inability to create custom filtering for individual family members, while praising the fact that he could not find a way for children to disable the filter without also disabling access to the internet.
Content-control software
Content-control software, also known as censorware or web filtering software, is a term for software designed and optimized for controlling what content is permitted to a reader, especially when it is used to restrict material delivered over the Web...
program created by Blue Coat Systems
Blue Coat Systems
Blue Coat Systems Inc. is a network security and network management company based in Sunnyvale, California, United States.It identifies itself as an application delivery network specialist...
.
The software operates without downloading a database to the desktop PC and instead looks to an Internet-based database. This means that the PC only needs a very small piece of code and the user can take advantage of the database being updated constantly. On the other hand, if the computer can't connect to this database for any reason (such as a firewall
Firewall
Firewall may refer to:* Firewall , a barrier inside a building or vehicle, designed to limit the spread of fire, heat and structural collapse...
blocking the connection), all web access will be disabled.
K9 Web Protection is proprietary software
Proprietary software
Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary...
which is free for home use. It is possible to have multiple licenses, and every computer needs a separate license. Its primary purpose is for parental control, but it is possible to use it for protection of their computer against computer viruses or malware
Malware
Malware, short for malicious software, consists of programming that is designed to disrupt or deny operation, gather information that leads to loss of privacy or exploitation, or gain unauthorized access to system resources, or that otherwise exhibits abusive behavior...
, or for self-blocking of pornography
Pornography
Pornography or porn is the explicit portrayal of sexual subject matter for the purposes of sexual arousal and erotic satisfaction.Pornography may use any of a variety of media, ranging from books, magazines, postcards, photos, sculpture, drawing, painting, animation, sound recording, film, video,...
(with an accountability partner
Accountability partner
An accountability partner is a person who coaches another person in terms of helping the other person keep a commitment. The term is a neologism and has gained relatively wide use since the 1990’s. The term is often used by Christians where the accountability partner helps a person adhere to a...
).
Strengths
The software is very difficult to disable or remove without the administrator password. The uninstaller requires the administrator password to run, and if the service or process it stopped all web access is disabled. Similarly, attempts to modify the program from the windows registryWindows registry
The Windows Registry is a hierarchical database that stores configuration settings and options on Microsoft Windows operating systems. It contains settings for low-level operating system components as well as the applications running on the platform: the kernel, device drivers, services, SAM, user...
or file system will also lead to all web access being disabled.
Weaknesses
The software can only monitor the HTTP protocol and has limited capability of blocking the HTTPSHttps
Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure is a combination of the Hypertext Transfer Protocol with SSL/TLS protocol to provide encrypted communication and secure identification of a network web server...
protocol. Therefore, protocols such as FTP could theoretically be used to bypass the filter.
Additionally, because the software is installed on the operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
rather than on a server
Server
Server may refer to:In computing:*Server , a server application, operating system, computer, or applianceIn jobs and roles:* Altar server, an acolyte who assists the clergy during services...
, a savvy user could bypass the filter by installing another operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
onto the computer, or by running a Linux distribution such as Ubuntu straight from CD, therefore leaving no traces for the administrator to find. K9 does not accept passwords longer than 15 characters.
Reviews
Ken Cooper from Family WebWatch praised its ease of use and clean interface. Cooper also praised K9 for not bogging down system performance due to the fact that it uses an Internet-based database.On the other hand, Neil J. Rubenking, lead analyst for security for PC Magazine
PC Magazine
PC Magazine is a computer magazine published by Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc. A print edition was published from 1982 to January 2009...
criticized the filter's inability to create custom filtering for individual family members, while praising the fact that he could not find a way for children to disable the filter without also disabling access to the internet.
External links
- http://k9webprotection.com
- http://www.familywebwatch.com/review-k9-web-protection/
- http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2347737,00.asp