What have your kids been up to this summer?
According to new research, they may have been looking at questionable web content while sipping smoothies
Odiham, UK – 13 September, 2007: During the wettest summer on record, parents have thanked their lucky stars for the Internet as a means to keep their kids occupied during the washed out school holiday. New Ofcom research shows that 52 per cent of children regularly use the Internet, but do parents know whether their children’s Internet activity is safe, especially when logging-on outside of the home? According to new research it could be questionable to say the least.
Following a similar investigation in summer 2006, leading network solutions provider, Telindus, sent researchers to a number of cafes in central London to test wireless hotspots operated by leading Internet Service Providers (ISPs). All of them allowed researchers to access a variety of highly objectionable web sites. In an attempt to see whether strict filtering policies were in place to protect users, the research terms included:
• Explicit adult web sites (soft and hard-core)
• Where to buy Ecstasy
• Bomb making guides
• ‘No holds barred’ adult escort services
• Where to buy Ecstasy
• Bomb making guides
• ‘No holds barred’ adult escort services
Without exception, each ISP allowed total access to these sites despite posting strict acceptable usage policies (AUPs) thereby demonstrating startling flaws in web security.
“When we conducted this survey last year, 80 per cent of hotspots allowed access to adult sites so it seems that things have got worse in the last 12 months,” stated James Walker, Head of Innovation at Telindus. “We expect wireless hotspots to offer open access to the Internet, but surely some barriers must be put in place especially when hard-core adult content is involved.”
The findings show that despite seemingly strict AUPs, ISPs are not monitoring access and it’s all too easy for the public to access questionable sites in public areas. In these environments, where retailers are responsible for the content accessed and not the ISP, Telindus’ results show that there is an urgent need to address security attitudes.
Telindus’ investigation follows the recent security breach in Australia, where a 16 year-old student bypassed the Government’s web content filtering system. Although the Australian system - designed to offer free Internet filtering to homes, schools and libraries - was breached, it was at least a step in the right direction and perhaps UK ISPs and retailers should consider such measures. The Australian Government is now lobbying ISPs to tackle content filtering at the source.
“This investigation shows that urgent action needs to be taken to monitor and restrict Internet activity in public areas. We police Internet access at home and in the workplace, so why not in public areas? I don’t advocate a ‘nanny state’, but surely access to certain sites should be banned in open environments such as cafes, restaurants and parks?” added Walker.
The investigation was designed to discover whether ISPs are filtering web content across wireless hotspots. Telindus’ researchers developed a list of URLs and search terms and visited hotspots across Regent Street, Oxford Street and Great Marlborough Street.
About Telindus
Telindus is a group of companies offering ICT Solutions and Services. Telindus serves business and public market needs as a solution and sourcing partner, delivering secured converged networking, and secured systems & applications underpinned by management and support services.
With over 37 years experience in ICT, Telindus is investing considerably in expertise to service modern IT and telecommunications infrastructures throughout their life cycle. Telindus' enviable track record and longstanding partnerships with leading equipment suppliers offers a safe route for enterprises, telecom operators and government bodies looking to deploy long-lasting ICT solutions.
In January 2006, Telindus joined the Belgacom Group to become the IT Services Branch of a new business leader in the market. Belgacom SA/NV [Euronext Brussels:BELG] is the leading telecommunications company in Belgium and a market leader in a number of areas, including retail and wholesale fixed-line telephony services, mobile communications services, broadband data and Internet services. Together, Belgacom and Telindus are building a Belgian champion in the European IT landscape, presenting the market a unique offering, uniting Connectivity and IT Services. www.belgacom.be
Telindus posted a turnover of EUR 702 million in 2006. With a highly skilled international team of 2.750 employees, Telindus is present in 15 countries in Western Europe, Hungary, China and Thailand. Telindus is headquartered in Belgium. www.telindus.com