MSLN - N2H2 Content Filtering

MSLN - N2H2 Content Filter Information

What content filter is MSLN using?

MSLN is using N2H2's Bess filter with a web-based local control interface that allows each school and library to customize the filter to the school or library's specifications. The N2H2 filter works by IP and IP range and has the ability to customize block and allow lists as well as create Overrides, Custom Categories, etc. You also can Block and allow file types (e.g. Mp3).

What if my library uses private IP addressing or a firewall?

It is possible to set up a firewall to use MSLN addressing for the filter. A library might have to increase their public IP ranges with MSLN but that would accomplish what they want. It is also possible to set up 1 to 1 NAT where a library or school uses public addressing at the firewall and NAT behind it. The site will need 1 public address for each PC and the firewall setup so that when it makes a request out, it sends the public address and when it receives a request for that address it sends it to the NATted PC. The PCs need be hard coded with the private address, and the firewall should be setup to do 1 to 1 NAT.
MSLN already has a number of schools using the filter this way.

How do I access the Control Center for my library or school?

Call or email the MSLN Help Desk to request to manage the content filter locally MSLN Help Desk at 1-888-367-6756 or E-mail to msln@maine.edu

You need to know:

Your NM (Network Management) ID
The name(s) of your school(s) or library
The IP number range for your library or school.

The control of the filter is designated to the site's tech contact person on record.
They will choose a username and password to login to the filter's Control Center. You can then go to: https://filter.msln.net/controlcenter and login and begin to manage your site's filtering.

How can I learn how to use the Control Center?

Online Tutorial - The MSLN Circuit Riders are developing an online tutorial
PowerPoint Presentation - that will soon be available.
The Circuit Riders can also meet with you for individual instruction or provide instruction if you would like to put a small group together.
You also can always call the MSLN Help Desk for assistance at 1-888-367-6756.

What choices can I make in the Bess (N2H2) filter that MSLN is using?

Two options at the Control Center set up by Bess (N2H2)

No Filter
Minimum Filter

With local administration you can:

Create your own custom filters, block and allow lists
Copy the Minimum Filter and "customize" it to match your Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and your directors/trustees/governing group's interpretation of CIPA ruling/law.
Unblock sites that you believe are "mis-filtered"
Block specific sites (music downloads, chat rooms as per your AUP)
Customize filtered site announcement page
Create various over ride accounts (one for adult patrons; one for children's computers, staff, etc.)
Create blocks and exceptions by "keywords" and also by "file type".

What is filtered when using the Minimum Filter?

Blocked sites that fall under these categories are filtered:

Adults Only
Hate Discrimination
Illegal
Nudity
P2P/Loophole
Pornography
Sex
Violence

Once you reviewed the categories and types of websites blocked you can customize the filter for your library or school. For example, a library may choose not to filter websites categorized as Sex because those sites contain descriptions or depictions of sexual acts, but specifically those without the intent to arouse (sites which contain material intended to arouse fall under the Pornography category). Sexual merchandise and fetish sites fall under the Sex category.

Examples would be:
http://www.handbooktogreatsex.com/ Overview of online book on sex
http://members.aol.com/Sebringsil/ Text only information on male sexuality
http://www.joaniblank.com/sexuality.htm Books and videos on sex, vibrators and masturbation.

Possible scenarios: A library could decide to not to block the Sex category on all library computers, depending on the library's interpretation of and AUP definition of "harmful to minors". Alternatively, the library could choose to block those sites on computers in the children's room but not have it blocked on adult computers.

Please read the ALA's Revised Q&A (in PDF format) for more guidance on this issue. It can be found at: http://www.ala.org/ala/washoff/WOissues/civilliberties/washcipa/qanda/q.htm

How you use and setup the filter is dependent on your reading of the CIPA requirements and your Internet Safety Policy/AUP...

Disabling the Filter

Schools and libraries can set up their own override accounts at the Control Center. The users of these override accounts can bypass filtering for 15 minutes by entering an authorized override name and password. The 15 minutes default time was set by N2H2 not MSLN. You can also request that an email be sent to you when the override is used if you would like to keep statistics on how often an override account was used. For example, if you create a generic ³Patron² override account that emails you every time it is used you could get an idea how often overrides were being used anonymously to help determine if a readjustment of the filter may be needed. Overrides go into effect immediately.

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