Stay Ahead of Online Threats with Real-Time, Content-Aware Filtering

Technology moves fast, and nowhere is this more apparent than online. Schools, colleges and MATs require web filters that can keep up with the changing demands of digital safeguarding. Only real-time, content-aware web filters are capable of establishing appropriate standards of online safety as outlined by KCSIE and other statutory guidance. 

Web filtering in UK education

Now that online learning is a staple of the student experience, all UK schools are required to have “appropriate filtering systems in place” (KCSIE, 2024). 

Web filters are designed to keep pupils away from dangerous parts of the internet and shield them from inappropriate or harmful material. At the same time, they need to ensure that students still have enough access to online content to achieve a productive learning experience and develop key skills. 

There are a range of web filters used in education, but few of them are able to meet these important criteria - today’s digital landscape requires a highly sophisticated approach. 

Real-Time, Content-Aware Web Filtering

Dynamic real-time, content-aware web filtering is up to the task. These powerful filters assess the content, construction and context of web pages in real-time - providing users with instant protection from harmful content, without the need to block pages with potential education value. 

The benefits of this targeted approach to web filtering can be seen below, when applied to four emerging digital trends.

Digital threat: AI content 

Potential issue: Generative AI can produce vast amounts of inappropriate content in seconds. Unlike search engines, what a user types into generative AI tools does not necessarily appear in the URL, meaning web filters that can only analyse domains and URLs are unable to identify the category of content being consumed. Content-aware filters relying on analysis of past versions of pages face a similar issue.

The solution: Real-time, content-aware filters inspect the content on the page that is being requested by the user at that specific moment, meaning it can accurately assess the nature of the material being sought or produced and respond accordingly. 

Digital threat: Subdomains

Potential issue: The use of subdomains (a prefix added to a domain, used to direct users to a separate section of a site) means that inappropriate content can be found on URLs that schools may not otherwise want to block. For example, Google Sites hosts a range of custom-created apps, many of which are not suitable for students. URL filters would have to block all access to Google to prevent pupils using such apps.

The solution: Real-time, content-aware web filtering’s granular approach enables organisations to block inappropriate Google pages, while still allowing network users to access other Google sites for their learning and development opportunities. 

Digital threat: Anonymous proxies

Potential issue: A common tactic of school filter avoidance is the use of anonymous proxies - tools that provide users with harmless looking URLs to disguise their activity on pages that would otherwise be restricted. This deception can even fool content-aware web filters, as URLs used as decoys may have previously hosted harmless content, and without an up-to-date analysis available, the filter will act as if this is still the case.

The solution: By analysing the construction of web pages, real-time, content-aware filters can identify the software used by anonymous proxies, and block them immediately, even if it is the first time that particular version has been used. 

Digital threat: Hacked websites

Potential issue: It is common for poorly maintained sites to be hijacked by hackers who update them to include inappropriate content and/or links to harmful content. An example of this is a tourism site for an English city which now includes a number of links to pornographic sites. The URL gives no indication to the harmful links within, and a majority of the content is harmless, meaning it could easily be deemed safe by URL and non-real-time filters.

The solution: A real-time, content-aware web filter assesses the content, context and construction of entire pages, ensuring that no malicious content slips under the radar. As it inspects the current version of a website, even pages that were previously safe will be blocked as soon as they are hacked. 

Protecting pupils in their digital lives today - and tomorrow

The internet is a dynamic, ever-changing landscape. Allowing students to navigate this environment with the protection of a URL or non-real-time web filter is the equivalent of sending them into a storm with a broken umbrella. 

Only real-time, content-aware web filters can consistently offer the highest level of protection from harmful content, while ensuring students have access to a rich online learning experience.