Difference between revisions of "Hareidi.org's Kosher Internet"

Revision as of 13:40, 24 October 2007

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First of all, let us say that "Kosher internet" does not exit, yet. There is no known solution to the various problems that internet poses to a hareidi family. There are partial solutions and this article discusses them.

In addition, hareidi.org recognizes that pornography and sexually abusive content on the internet is a significant problem that affects both families who do not follow the rulings of the haredi rabbinical authorities, as well as those hareidim who are required and permitted to use the internet.

The reports on the quantity and popularity of this material on the internet^[1] (reaching, according to some estimates, 20%-30% of non-commercial internet usage) are astounding. The medical reports on the health and psychological aspects of this problem^[2] reflect a medical problem which is attracting the attention of both Jews and non-Jews wordwide.

This article is devoted to explain the issues involved, and recommend possible solutions.

Rabbinic response

In 5765 (2005), after examining internet filtering technology, various ISP's offering "kosher" service, and reviewing the number of case where individuals in religious households were affected by this problem, the halachic authorities of several important hareidi communities ruled that current technology does not provide adequate safeguards to prevent these problems. It was ruled that internet usage must be reduced or eliminated, and for the first time the Gedolei Hador took the unusual step of requiring physical security of any internet appliance, and externally verifiable compliance by religious households.

• Reducing usage means "casual" internet usage is forbidden. This means that using the internet for entertainment, online shopping or even education is not allowed. In general the only two permitted reasons for using the internet were parnasa (making a living) and kiruv (jewish outreach).

• Physical security means that any internet capable device must be disabled, even if not physically connected at the time to an internet service provider. Desktop computers, laptops and palm computers must stored in a locked room, and whenever they are used, they should not be used in such a way to lead others in the household (particularly children) to think that being used in a casual way.

• Externally verifiable compliance means that individuals are not trusted^[3] to decide for themselves whether their usage qualifies as allowed usage, but are required to go to ask a shailah of a Rabbinical authority and receive a legal decision.

In summary, it was decided in 2005 that internet filters and add-on software were considered inadequate and of no consequence, due to the "mistakes" these systems make and the ease that they can be bypassed (by connecting alternate software, proxies, or even using the account on another machine). It is clear that the ideal hareidi home is without a computer, much less one connected to the internet.

Takana of Lakewood

One example of this legal ruling is the Takana of Lakewood^[4]

1. Internet access is only permissible if required for a person’s job, and should be done at work.
2. Internet access in the home is prohibited if it is only for the purpose of entertainment or casual use (shopping, airline tickets etc.)
3. Anyone who requires access to perform their jobs should be required to have a Rabbi certify the validity of this need.
4. Computers with internet access must be physically protected from use (in a locked room, etc), as current software filtering technology is not sufficient to protect their use.
5. Computers even without internet access will be required to have software installed which will prevent them from being configured to connect to the internet by the use of external modems, WIFI etc.

Technical Issues

Permitted Use

Visual and addictive aspects

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Closed list version

Open list version

Warning version

Security considerations

Other resources

• Internet Rimon - Available in Israel, this organization developed a content filter that filters objectional content from within a website, and permits viewing of the rest of the website. Sites can be added or reported through use of a 24 hour support telephone number. Filtering is done at the ISP level, so theoretically there is no way to bypass it. Four levels of filtering are offered, and it is priced comparable to other Israeli ISPs. It is has the approval^[5] and encouragement of leading Rabbonim, including: Harav Mordechai Eliyahu, Harav Yig'al Kaminetski, Harav Yehoshua Shapira, Harav Yaakov Ariel, Harav Elyakim Levanon.

• Moroshet - Available in Israel.

Non-Jewish resources

• IShield - The most sophisticated commercial internet filter. It works by doing image processing on each image (or anywhere on the computer screen) and identifies unwanted content by color, texture and shape. It was developed by the Islamic community^[6]. Unfortunately tends to filter out only the worst examples.

• Content Filters Reviewed - comparison of commercial alternatives.

• WebWatcher

• SpectorPro 6.0

• SpyAgent

• IamBigBrother

• Content Protect

• eBlaster 6.0

• CyberSitter

• NetNanny

• CyberPatrol

• Norton Internet Security

Free software

• Naomi - freeware internet filter Naomi is an advanced internet filtering program, easy to use and totally free, intended for families, and kids in particular. Naomi is able to constantly monitor all internet connections, protecting children from inappropriate online material. It does not rely on a list of banned sites; instead, it examines in real-time all the data being transmitted and received through any internet application - such as web browers, chat programs, news readers, etc.

• X3 Watch - free accountability program (informs about accesses to questionable sites - for PC and MAC)

• Care2's Race for Children - click daily (for free) to help provide children in need with food, medical attention and education

• K9 Web Protection - a free internet filter

• Safe Families - free internet filtering and parental control software

• File Sharing Sentinel - free parental control tool for blocking file-sharing programs

• SurfPass - free version of the SurfPass filter, which also allows time limits, logging, etc.

• B Gone - free web filter based on keywords list

• NoWorrys - allows access to trusted sites (list) only (see also: PpGuard)

• ICRA Plus - free tool, offers control over access to labelled sites

• KidRocket - web browser for young kids (limits access to web sites)

• Hosts-File.net - easily block scammer, phishing and other malicious websites (Windows only)

• LogProtect - prevent your child from transmitting his personal coordinates (can be bypassed, though)

• Popup blockers - free software for removing unwanted pop-ups

• FraudEliminator - anti-phishing (email frauds) toolbar

• SpyBot - free program to remove dialers, spyware, and other malware from your pc

• HiJackThis - invaluable tools for removal of hijackers, dialers, and more (download CWShredded and HiJackThis)

• Free tools - listing free filters, website is in French

• Squid - proxy/blacklisting for administrators

• Censornet - a free filter for Linux (another alternative: DansGuardian)

• Spyware Blaster - immunize your pc against spyware and dialers

• N2H2 Database - submit URLs for inclusion in the Bess/N2H2 blacklist

References

1. ↑ Availibity of pornography
2. ↑ Internet addiction
3. ↑ The same thinking is even more apparent in the "kosher" cellphones, where a distinctive unique set of "kosher" phone numbers were made available. Some hareidi newspapers will only accept ads listing these phone numbers, etc. Even though it was suggested that would be possible to add a "kosher" filter to their existing phone, the new numbers were required as an external verifiable means of knowing if someone was indeed using a filtered system or not.
4. ↑ Takana of Lakewood
5. ↑ It is not known whether these rabbonim give their approval for general use, or only in pressing situations.
6. ↑ Asia Pacific Institute of Information & Technology (A.P.I.I.T) Research and Development Team