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| 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. Content-control software determines what content will be available on a particular machine or network; the motive is often to prevent persons from viewing content which the computer's owner(s) or other authorities may consider objectionable; when imposed without the consent of the user, content control can constitute censorship. Common use cases of such software include parents who wish to limit what sites their children may view from home computers, schools performing the same function with regard to computers found at school, and employers restricting what content may be viewed by employees while on the job. |
| Frequent subjects of content-control software include Web sites that, according to the company providing the control: |
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Include illegal content with reference to the legal domain being served by that company. |
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Promote, enable, or discuss system cracking, software piracy, criminal skills, or other potentially illegal acts. |
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Include sexually explicit content, such as pornography, erotica, nudity, and non-erotic discussions of sexual topics such as sexuality or sex. |
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Promote, enable, or discuss promiscuity, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, sexual activity outside of marriage or other lifestyles seen to be immoral or alternative. |
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Contain violence or other forms of graphic or "extreme" content. |
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Promote, enable, or discuss bigotry or hate speech. |
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Promote, enable, or discuss gambling, recreational drug use, alcohol, or other activities frequently considered to be vice. |
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Are unlikely to be related to a student's studies, an employee's job function, or other tasks for which the computer in question may be intended, especially if they are likely to involve a heavy bandwidth consumption. |
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Are contrary to the interests of the authority in question, such as Web sites promoting organized labor or criticizing a particular company or industry. |
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Promote or discuss politics, religion, health or other topics. |
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Prevent people who are hypochondriacs from viewing websites related to health concerns. |
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Include social networking opportunities that might expose children to predators. |
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| Content-control software can also be used to block Internet access entirely. |
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