Zetnet Services - News and Web Filtering FAQ
News Filtering
Filtering is the method by which a users ability to access certain newsgroups and web sites is blocked. Censorship I hear you cry, well yes it is but read on. It is the intention of Zetnet services to protect young people as much as possible from the tasteless and illegal (in the UK) newsgroups and web sites available. However adult members can on request be given access to the full range of newsgroups available to us as an ISP (illegal groups are removed prior to the news reaching us) and total web access.
How is filtering applied to my account?
A users account can be set for filtering in three ways:
2. Web:
When this option is selected web filtering is applied. This and forces the user to connect to the World Wide Web using the 'Little Hat' server which blocks certain web sites.
3. All:
This option filters the account's news and web access (1 & 2 above) This is the default for new accounts.
What type of newsgoups are filtered out?
The newsgroups that are filtered out by Zetnet are mainly pornographic groups but also filtered are all binary groups. The reason for binary groups (those which contain coded pictures, sounds and files etc) being removed are that they are a major medium of material which is being filtered and many inconsiderate people post undesirable material to 'innocent' binary groups.
Once filtering is removed the user has full access to newsgroups except for newsgroups that are illegal in the UK. These are removed up-line from us and are not available even on the unrestricted listing and contain hardcore pornography including paedophile groups, warez groups etc.
How do I get un-restricted news access?
Un-restricted access to newsgroups is available to all account holders over the age of 18 years. To apply for full access send an e-mail to: request-18@zetnet.co.uk This e-mail must come from the main e-mail address of the account concerned otherwise it will be ignored. The e-mail should be similar to that below (copy and paste it if you wish):
Please remove newsgroup filtering from my account, I confirm that I am over 18 years of age and that I am responsible for all material received or sent by myself through my Zetnet account.
Sign the mail with your full name as on your account details.
If you are also requesting removal of web filtering from your account at the same time replace 'remove newsgroup filtering' with 'remove all filtering'
Note: These e-mails complete with headers are stored by us for future reference. Any request which arouses our suspicion will be checked, a certain number of random checks are also made.
How do I set up ZIMACS to receive unrestricted access?
ZIMACS uses an 'embedded' list of newsgroups in the database, this listing is usually updated weekly (normally on a Saturday) with new groups recently created. It is when this upgrade is sent out that you will receive the larger unrestricted listing assuming there has been ample time for your account details to be modified (allow two working days).
I do not use ZIMACS to read news, what do I do?
If you are collecting your filtered news with a program other than ZIMACS you will have the news server set to znews.zetnet.co.uk, once your request for un-restricted access has been processed (allow two working days) then you should be able to get your news from news.zetnet.co.uk
If your account is set for web filtering then the only way you will be able to get an internet connection is through the 'Little Hat' proxy server. This server filters all material being received from your internet connection and blocks any material considered as undesirable.
How can I get web filtering removed from my account?
Un-restricted web access is available to all account holders over the age of 18 years. To apply for full access send an e-mail to: request-18@zetnet.co.uk This e-mail must come from the main e-mail address of the account concerned otherwise it will be ignored. The e-mail should be similar to that below (copy and paste it if you wish):
Please remove web filtering from my account, I confirm that I am over 18 years of age and that I am responsible for all material received or sent by myself through my Zetnet account.
Sign the mail with your full name as on your account details.
If you are also requesting removal of news filtering from your account at the same time replace 'remove web filtering' with 'remove all filtering'
Note: These e-mails complete with headers are stored by us for future reference. Any request which arouses our suspicion will be checked, a certain number of random checks are also made.
Why do I get the message BLOCKED when trying to access certain web sites?
If you are browsing the web while using the 'Little Hat' proxy server and are confronted by the message:
Sorry, you can't retrieve from that website.
This means pretty much as it says, that access to the site has been denied by the Little Hat filter. You have three options on how to proceed:
2. Use your password (or apply for one) to by-pass the filter.
3. Connect to the internet by a method other than the 'Little Hat' server. This will not be possible if your account is set for web filtering.
What is the 'Little Hat' proxy server?
Firstly it's a proxy server, O.K. what's a proxy server, it's a machine, on our network that stores up to 2GB of the most recently accessed WWW pages, saving you the necessity of having to go through possibly slow links to retrieve pages. But in addition to that the 'Little Hat' proxy server incorporates a system to block sites which contain 'adult' content (or worse) in order that children may navigate the internet with the possibility of them coming across such sites minimised.
Why 'Little Hat'? Long story - it comes from a Dilbert cartoon, which we may try to get permission to reproduce.
How do I configure my browser to use the 'Little Hat' server?
The required information to configure your settings for the proxy server are:
Server address: littlehat.zetnet.co.uk IP Address of the server: 194.247.47.81 Port Number for the ftp/gopher/http services: 8080 Port Number for the wais service: 8081
Do I have to use the 'Little Hat' proxy server?
If your account is set for web filtering then using 'Little Hat' is the only way to connect to the WWW. If your account is not set for web filtering then you are free to connect to the web how you wish
If I want to use 'Little Hat' can I access 'blocked' sites?
Yes access to blocked sites can be gained by use of a password. The principle is that when you come across a blocked site you are asked for your User ID and Password, once given this will allow you access to any blocked sites for a period of up to one hour. An e-mail will be automatically generated and sent to your account confirming that the password has been used, a useful precaution if there is ready access to your machine by others.
How do I get a password for 'Little Hat'?
To obtain a password for 'Little Hat' you must fulfil three conditions:
2. Be the account holder
3. Send the e-mail from the primary address (the one registered with the account) for the account concerned.
If the e-mail comes from any other address it will be ignored.
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Please provide me with password facilities for the 'Little Hat' web filter, I confirm that I am over 18 years of age and that I am responsible for all material received or sent by myself through my Zetnet account.
The User ID I would like is: The password I would like is: Please send confirmation of use e-mails to: |
Sign the mail with your full name as on your account details.
Note:
These e-mails complete with headers are stored by us for future reference. Any request which arouses our suspicion will be checked, a certain number of random checks are also made.
What should I do if I find a site I feel should be blocked?
If you come across a site while using filtered access that you feel should not be accessible then e-mail the full URL to: www-adult@zetnet.co.uk.
What should I do if I think that a site is unjustifiably blocked?
If you find that access to a site is blocked by the web filter and you believe there should not any restriction on this site then e-mail the full URL to: www-adult@zetnet.co.uk.