It would be nice to block the image thumbnails from even showing up if they have adult content in them. I know there is a setting in Google (Safe Search), but it is not enabled by default.
I want to allow images searching but also keeping it safe.
122 Comments
I want to allow images searching but also keeping it safe.
122 Comments
Who voted for this idea
- masa
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- nickthephreak
- thejoker
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Comments
I'm fine with the option of adding the safe=on type tag... same would be nice for the google video search.
I know some firewall products exist that force the 'safe search' option when searching...
I use my router's keyword blocking to block &safe=off. This prevents users from changing their Google preferences to "Do not filter..." The Google default is "Use moderate..." (They can still change other preferences.) I have other keywords for Yahoo etc.
It would be good if OpenDNS could block by keyword since some routers don't accept special characters.
What type of router do you have? I could try that, but I would like a message that tells the user why something was blocked.
written by threedee912 374 days ago
Rating: 0
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However, I don't think Google turns SafeSearch off only by the &safe=off parameter. Try changing the preferences to "Off", then visit something like:
http://images.google.com/images?q=porn (WARNING: Adult Content if SafeSearch is off)
And you will find there is no &safe=off, but the filter is still off.
This works well for me, thanks for the tip. I'm using a LinkSys WRT54G with the tomato firmware and I blocked &safe=off.
written by oddlamblue 637 days ago
Rating: 6
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but does a dns "know" about what's on the URL?
It certainly wouldn't. It only knows about the hostname/FQDN that is being queried, the rest is only relevant to whatever protocol you are using.
I don't want to block all image searches - its a great tool. The Google filter does a pretty good job of keeping the bad images out. This is just a way to prevent the user from turning the Google filter off.
@jfhammond
The only way OpenDNS could do that would be by blocking the domains the images are on. They do good job of that already. The problem comes in because Google's image search shows cached images. A lot of times I'll click on an image and it won't exist anymore. So it's actually showing an image that Google already stored -- showing it from Google's servers.
couldn't you set the sites prefs ie safeseach etc from google then put a block from accessing the site prefs page?
just an idea
That wouldn't work 100% because the preferences are housed on your PC. As soon as you clear your cookies it will default back to moderate safe search.
Consider additional filtering software. There's no way to block this on the DNS level, without redirecting all images.google.com traffic through OpenDNS's servers. Considering the numerous complaints about OpenDNS intercepting google.com, do we really want more of this?
Actually, Google's SafeSearch default behavior is to filter explicit images from search results. From their help center documentation (http://www.google.com/support/bin/static.py?page=searchguides.html&ctx=preferences&hl=en):
"Moderate filtering excludes most explicit images from Google Image Search results but doesn't filter ordinary web search results. This is your default SafeSearch setting; you'll receive moderate filtering unless you change it."
If you feel the need to do URL blocking I would strongly suggest that you should be looking into another system on top of openDNS for this purpose, the OpenDNS servers do not see the URL.
Example, you access the following URL:
http://www.opendns.com/community/domaintagging/?category_id=57
These things happen
1) Your computer sends the string www.opendns.com at the DNS server looking for the A record.
2) The IP address is returned
3) Your computer connects to the IP address which was returned
4) Your computer makes a GET request for /community/domaintagging/?category_id=57 to that web server
OpenDNS never received any part of the URL after the domain name, it never will, that is not how DNS functions.
The only suggestion I could make here for a free method to do this would be to use an open source proxy server like squid with rules to deny URL strings (It has a regex URL filtering rule system).
Clean internet does that.
http://www.cleaninternet.com/
The guy posting all the devil smilies needs a good boot.
Don't limit the image blocking to google.
I'd like to be able to block users from turning off safe search option.
It won't be possible to do this with OpenDNS. A lot of users are going to complain about privacy.
So... You want OpenDNS to redirect all your Google traffic through its own servers, filter out images with flesh tones, and feed it back to you? Seriously?
Live.com and ask.com both do image searches w/o changing the URL. It's embedded so OD will not block them. I had to block both of those by name.
It's hard for OpenDNS to filter image search via Google, Yahoo ...unless they are doing some sort of image recognition scanning. That's why they are "OpenDNS" [DNS]. Of course Google is doing a great job in blocking them based on "preferences". That's because they have the indexed and tagged information. What we can do is suggest to Google to allow users to have a control panel, like OpenDNS, where we can list our IP(s) and then apply filters.
This goes against how OpenDNS works, it is impossible without a serious change in how they work.
Well yes it would involve a change in the way they work, in that it would mean they would no longer be a domain name server but just yet another web filter.
I wish that would happen but there is no way on a DNS level.
if you're using Firefox then just get yourself CustomizeGoogle extension (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/743) and put on the safe search option.
On DNS level this poll is however impossible.
Clark Connect is a content filter that will alter the Google & Yahoo searches to force them as safe. It's a free linux-based server that can run on a mid-level PC. Lots of schools in our state use it along with OpenDNS. Google it!
written by jsteenberge 478 days ago
Rating: 3
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Smoothwall Corporate Editions will filter the major search engines for you to force 'safe search'. I use smoothwall along with openDNS. It works wonderfully for us. www.smoothwall.net is the domain.
Why is this idea still here so people can vote on it? It is not an appropriate idea for opendns... opendns can only block and deal with domains and DNS, not URLs or any content.
If this idea was archived/killed, then other actually practical ideas might get featured.
People don't understand the difference between proxy/content filters and OpenDNS, but this stupid idea isn't the proper forum to explain it to them and educate them. Having so many votes for an idea like this is sad.
can you disable web addresses that have certain words in them? Because when you search something in google it puts the search in the address name. But this could easily be bypassed with proxies...
opendns only gets to see anything between the first double slash and the next slash after that. i.e. for this webpage all it'll see is 'ideabank.opendns.com'. Nothing more, nothing less.
So that's a no, opendns can not filter certain google search queries.
written by URL Examiner 463 days ago
Rating: 8
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tymes has said it perfectly. I too am tired of seeing this lame suggestion on the idea bank. Archive or kill this idea as it is not possible to impliment via OpenDNS.
Google controls what they display on a web page. If you don't want your users seeing adult content via Google Images, then add Visual Search Engines to your filtering selection. End of problem.
written by jesusabides 460 days ago
Rating: 7
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Hmm, another example of why we need to be able to vote down ideas - impossible requests start showing up on the front page.
On the other hand, it's obviously a concern for a lot of people, who may not fully understand how opendns works. Having this thread - and the explanative replies - is valuable to those who may not be as technically saavy. Those of you who complain about this thread were not forced to read it.
The original submission is incorrect. Google safesearch is enabled by default.
written by geoconklin 437 days ago
Rating: 1
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Too bad I voted first then read these comments. As a webmaster I use the Google (and others) image search on occasion and prefer not to set filtering via Google, nor do I want to turn off visual searching.
Too bad OpenDNS, by its nature, can't address that for us, the servie is so great!
I was going to vote for this, but now thanks to the informative posts I will move in another direction.
written by prettyriveracademy 394 days ago
Rating: 4
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What I really want is to block all image search engines, then let ONE image search through, namely the non - existent (as of now - google should do this) safeimagesearch.google.com
Seems simple enough. Google - or someone should make a site that forwards after setting safe search ON in the url.
--Tom
written by tadpole256 375 days ago
Rating: 1
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1) Google safesearch IS enabled by default at a moderate level.
2) This would be a good OPTION, but definitely should not be a default setting.
I disable IE on the machines and use Firefox with the free ProCon Latte Add on. It's totally easy to setup and you can password protect. Allows you to ad offensive words and everything! Nice for the little eyes!
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1803
Hope this helps!
written by Ewan Sadie 273 days ago
Rating: 3
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You need a content filter.
I use BlueCoat and I applied a policy "http://techlabs.bluecoat.com/policy/config_safesearch.zip"
This policy will enforce the "safe search" on many search engines.
Anyone wanting to implement equivalent rules on a Linux Squid proxy?
written by infinity306 263 days ago
Rating: 0
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if safe=on is added to the URL safe search is turned on..
written by infinity306 263 days ago
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[quote]
Actually, I have this working right now with OpenDNS only. It is a bit of a blunt hammer, but it works.
In your OpenDNS settings, block:
http://images.google.com
http://images.search.yahoo.com
http://ts2.images.live.com
For other search engines, display an image search results page and View Source. Search for JPG and look for the path to the thumbnail (not the hyperlink to the site).[/quote]
all you really need to do is block images.live.com and the thumbnails on an image search will not appear, you can still get to the pictures by clicking on the thumbnails, but I think the same will happen if you block the ts1.images.live.com and etc as well..
Yea, and I want opendns.com to give me a cup of coffee whenever I log onto the Internet.
This is a dumb suggestion. Everyone knows, you can't serve hot beverages over the Internet. Only cold (non-carbonated) drinks are compatible with IPv4 protocols.
written by infinity306 259 days ago
Rating: 3
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Yeah I want it to give me a cup of coffee or a Glass of Beer whenever I log onto the Internet depending on the time.. ohh and Maybe a Pizza or Bagel as well LOL
written by mightysnake_tm 253 days ago
Rating: 2
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Will people there is a simple way i found there is a program called (Blue Coat K9 Web Protection ) www.k9.com in the options there is a category called (open image/media search) thats make you only search with safe search (strict) and when you change it to OFF it will undo your change , and block search thats don't have safe search hope thats help you.
Regards
written by bassemdaniel 14 days ago
Rating: 0
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THANK You so much!! THIS PROGRAM IS EXCELLENT
An easy way to implement this is Google to host the "adult" tagged images on a different host. (Could even be a CNAME)
This does require Google's involvement, but can also open up to more possibilities for Google and the world.
This technique is now implemented by Microsoft's Bing search engine. (Come on Google, do something!)
written by barryunwin 244 days ago
Rating: 3
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K9 webfilter is the best solution to this problem - it locks all the searches to images. However it doesn't work on vista-64 - which is why I'm searching for solutions on open DNS
written by caldwellits 233 days ago
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I agree with germzone. Google and all the search engines should publish safesearch URLs (i.e. safesearch.google.com. It would benefit all the web filter vendors. Then OpenDNS could either block the regular image search site or better yet, re-direct images.google.com to safesearch.google.com, etc. There would be no need to do anything at the application layer.
These people did it it this way:
http://www.safesearchweb.com/google.html
written by infinity306 224 days ago
Rating: 3
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@kenjij Not so easy as there are new sites everyday and some potential images that you would deem to be adult might not be on a site you consider as adult.. Google doesnt have anything to analyze every image for potential nudity or adult themes
True, but I think the point of this thread, at least from the original post, is to some how enforce Google's "Safe Search". Without inventing something new, this approach can quickly gain control of the image search thumbnails using a DNS approach.
Although not perfect, this is a very effective and easy-to-implement solution. And by the nature of OpenDNS, this probably is the only solution.
If you start talking about analyzing every image, not only is it beyond the scope of this discussion, but it's not a realistic expectation, at least anytime soon. Something is better than nothing.
Actually, **because OpenDNS handles Google specially**, this IS possible. OpenDNS redirects google search queries, as described here: http://forums.opendns.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=226&page=2 confirms. Many people who understand DNS have stated that this idea isn't do-able because OpenDNS operates only on the domain portion of an URL. They're not realizing that in the case of a subset of domains, namely the set where OpenDNS does not return a normal DNS result, OpenDNS has control over more than just the domain portion of URL, and many google domains are in this set. PLEASE MOD THIS UP if you understand what I'm saying.
Hi
I tried typing single words into the website blocker ie "naturist" and then searched and selected a website including naturist in its name - it was blocked. It may be that naturist is part of the nudity block anyway. It may be a way of blocking types of websites.
I used to use K9 but someone tried to delete part of the files to disenable it and it will not re-download. So I decided to try a different one.
Its difficult in my house as neighbouring children of all ages come to use the computer for homework and I can't always be with them to supervise.
Really I see filtering as teaching good habits for safe surfing and as a parental representative when other children are using the computer I see my role as that of a school in protecting children. If they went to the library 4 miles away, they would have even more filtering.
So I hope that this programme will not be tampered with.
I want to allow images searching but also keeping it safe.
I would be satisfied I could redirect Google (and all other search engines) to Google for kids safe search.
written by Aaqil Mahmood 162 days ago
Rating: 0
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I never thought that English people are this good too, I thought such things are normal for them. It brought me tears. I pray to Allah there more good people come.
sites like onlybypass.info or crackberry makes content filtering useless. when searched on a search engine the site comes up and is used to bypass the content filter. what can be done?
actualy i think it IS on by default and you have to turn it off bby going onto the settings through the google images i beilve but even then some pictures can still sneak through just by being hosted on a clean site without a bad rep. and googles engine decided that it was ok to display that file but even if it is bad, just be being clever yourself you can get a few things to be bypasses just by using certain keywords. i know unintentionally i got a pic of marilyn monroe that was beyond suggestive. and again i wasnt even intending that but i guess the point is that even if there is some kind of "filter" almost always anything can get in something somehow...
written by natestoker 140 days ago
Rating: 0
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no no, it should actually work really easy. Any thumbnail that is linked to a block site should be blocked. That would solve 90 percent of the problems.
written by thecaudles 134 days ago
Rating: 0
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You can block adult images with Bing, just block the explicit.bing.com domain.
http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/06/16/microsoft-consolidates-explicit-bing-content-to-new-address
Google needs to step up and provide a way to lock in Safesearch.
That is impossible without proxying the entire Google images site. If sysadmins want to block adult images on Google image search, then they would have to use a proxy server to do so.
This idea is goood except it's not up to openDNS but to google to use the original domain source for every image. Then it would just filter like always...
I'm using OpenDNS because K9 Web Protection (free) doesn't have a 64bit Vista version. There is a feature in that software that blocks explicit images in Google image search..works great. Maybe an added layer for those who want it.
thank to all openDNS family i alwayes use this domain and i hope to prevent all bad images in google search ..hat is the method....thanks
I can't believe that this is one of the top feature requests, and it isn't technically possible. We need vote down buttons so that the techies can kick out ideas which are impossible and outside OpenDNS's scope.
google isnt the only problem here, i used the opendns search and typed in the word sex, then I was taken to yahoo pictures which showed nothing, and then i was able to remove the safety in a click of the button.
The biggest problem right now is that I have visual search engines blocked in my settings and google images comes right through. EVERYTHING comes through! (I know about the google settings of safe search, but anyone can change that) I go to add it to my always blocked list and OPENDNS says that I already have it blocked because I am blocking visual search engines. I tell it to add it anyway and opendns says I can't. THis is a big problem.
I don't now why the blocking
adult site works sometime yes sometime no,may be it happens when the dynamic IP change.Is it possible?
I vote for the dns redirect method, e.g. safesearch.google.com. Seems reasonable. While I use the K9 software, I do not like having to put software on all the computers. An alternative would be to add some capability to some inexpensive router software, e.g. DD-WRT, that could change the search URLs to provide a safe search capability.
If you look at this page, it shows where the thumbnails in Google (mobile) come from. Maybe blocking gstatic.com is the answer?
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AV3Kh49IZ8hLXmM%3Ablogs.mirror.co.uk%2Fsex-doctor%2Fcss%2Fsex-life150209.jpg&h=70&w=95&usg=AFrqEzejBz-NoWi-0e8dA6ABfrpkQvZiOg
Sounds a good idea, and it can be done because i used to use K9 web protection and that managed to block the thumbnails in google image search.
Why can't Opendns just tag pages and not entire sites? Like they could tag www.google.com/(search settings) so that they can't be accessed. I actually think that opendns.org sites
http://www.opendns.com/community/domaintagging/?category_id=64
should be tagged appropriately. (the above would be tagged as pornorgaphy).
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I would like this, too.
However, unless OpenDNS is considering manipulating the URL (like adding "safe=on"), I don't see how this can be enforced. Of course, we would have to add Yahoo! and other image search engines.