Website Filtering at NPS

Northbridge Public Schools uses three major platforms to help protect students from accessing inappropriate websites: GoGuardian, Google’s Third-Party App Restrictions, and SonicWall content filtering. 

To learn more about Student Data Privacy please click here

GoGuardian (for students only) is a digital safety solution designed for educational environments, enabling schools to manage and monitor student internet usage. It employs multiple methods to block access to certain websites and content, ensuring a safe and focused online learning experience. The primary mechanisms include:

Category-Based Filtering: Administrators can block entire categories of websites—such as social media, gaming, or adult content—by selecting predefined groups. This broad approach simplifies the restriction process without the need to specify individual sites.

Custom URL Filtering: Schools have the flexibility to block or allow specific websites by adding their URLs to customized lists. This precision ensures that only appropriate sites are accessible to students. 

Dynamic Content Analysis: GoGuardian utilizes artificial intelligence to analyze web pages in real-time, identifying and blocking content deemed inappropriate, even if the site isn’t on a predefined block list. This proactive measure helps maintain a secure browsing environment. 

DNS Filtering: By intercepting Domain Name System (DNS) requests, GoGuardian can prevent access to specific domains, adding an extra layer of control over internet usage.

Google Third Party App Restrictions (for students only)- Within our Google Workspace for Education environment, managing third-party application access is crucial for safeguarding student data and privacy. Google provides administrators with tools to control app permissions, particularly for users under 18. When a student attempts to access an unconfigured third-party app, they may encounter a block or a request for access. To learn more, please click here

SonicWall content filtering (for students and staff) works by analyzing and blocking websites based on several factors, including categories, reputation, and policies set by the organization. Here's a more detailed look at how it bases its blocking:

1. Category-based Filtering: SonicWall has a large database of categorized websites, such as social media, gaming, adult content, or gambling. Administrators can configure SonicWall to block entire categories of sites based on the organization’s needs (for example, blocking social media or adult content).

2. URL and Domain Filtering: SonicWall can block specific URLs or domains that are known to be inappropriate or dangerous. This is useful for blocking individual sites rather than entire categories.

3. Content Analysis: SonicWall uses advanced algorithms to analyze website content in real-time. If the content is deemed inappropriate or harmful (such as containing explicit language or malware), it will be blocked automatically.

4. Reputation-based Filtering: SonicWall assesses the reputation of websites based on various factors like the site's history, its association with malicious activity (e.g., hosting malware or phishing attempts), and external threat intelligence feeds. Websites with poor reputations are flagged and blocked.

5. Keyword-based Filtering: SonicWall can filter content based on specific keywords or phrases that are detected on websites. This is particularly useful for blocking specific types of language or subject matter.