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Filter Philosophy

Sterling's Filter Technology is NOT keyword based. All sites populated in the block database are previewed by human beings, and categorized by actual content. Therefore, we are able to differentiate sites relating to "Breast Cancer" from sites merely focused on "Breasts" from a nudity standpoint.

In general, advertisements for sites are not blocked, just the sites themselves. Therefore, the results from a search on "sex" may display 65,434 hits, but when actually trying to view the site associated with one of the hits, the blocking comes into play. Additionally, the database is checked for accuracy and quality on a daily basis. Sites that strategically move their URL, to avoid being blocked, are picked up the next business day due to the built-in cross-check mechanism in the database maintenance program.

The categories below have been selected as categories to filter based on feedback from business, education and residential communities regarding what would be deemed unacceptable, inappropriate or undesirable in a business, school or household setting with regard to employee productivity, student/child safety, or threat of legal action.

Suggestions for additions (or deletions) to the database may be emailed to our Internet Security Center at isc@sterlink.net.

The following categories of WWW traffic are filtered by Sterling:

Pornography and Sexuality
Heterosexual activity involving one or two persons, homosexual and bisexual acts; orgies, swinging, bestiality, sadism/masochism, child pornography, fetishes and related hard core adult humor and literature.

Adult Entertainment
Full or partial nudity of individuals. This might include strip clubs, lingerie, adult oriented chat rooms, erotica, sex toys, light adult humor and literature, escort services, password/verification sites, and prostitution.

Adults Only
Material labeled by its author or publisher as being strictly for adults. (Examples: "Adults only", "You must be 18 to visit this site", "Registration is allowed only for people 18 or older", "You must be of legal drinking age to visit this site")

Pornography
Material intended to be sexually arousing or erotic.

Sex
Images or descriptions of sexual activity. Any sexual merchandise. Sexual fetishism.

Nudity
Bare or visible genitalia, pubic hair, buttocks, female breasts, etc.

Exceptions

The categories below are used to allow access to sites that may be otherwise blocked by one of the other categories above.

Education
Material under another category that has educational value (such as classic literature, history, sex education, etc.).

For Kids
Sites that are designed specifically for kids.

History
Material that falls under another category that is non-fictional and historically significant.

Medical
Material under another category that relates to the study or practice of medicine.

Note: Where the legality of issues is concerned, the laws of the United States are used.

Sterling reserves the right to alter its filter technology and filter philosophy at any time, without notice, in order to ensure a quality professional, service to its customers.