Updated September 11, 1998 (first published June 4, 1998) (David W. Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, fbns@wayoflife.org)) - The Internet is an amazing and wonderful means of communication. It also holds many dangers for the Christian, because it is a link to the world. Practically anything that is wicked is available on the Internet from the privacy of one's one home. It is important, therefore, that Christians take effective steps to protect themselves and their families.

There are a number of solutions to this problem which are available, such as Net Nanny and Surf Watch. These are software packages which operate on the Internet user's own computer. A list of these can be found at Yahoo's Internet Blocking and Filtering page --

www.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Companies/Computers/Software/Internet/Blocking_and_Filtering/

An even better solution might be provided by the following two services which operate on the side of the Internet provider before the content even reaches the user's computer. Please note that Way of Life Literature has no connection with any of these services and we cannot provide any further information.

CLEANINTER.NET
CleanInter.Net is a service operated by Bible-believing Christians who attend a fundamental Baptist church. It offers filtered high speed Internet access and is protected by a tamperproof server-side filtering system. The filtering database is updated daily, not weekly or monthly. There is no software to install, just fast, reliable, filtered Internet access. Local access numbers are available in many parts of the country. Contact 2307 Roosevelt Rd., Valparaiso, IN 46383. 219-395-8141, 888-355-3113, sales@cleaninter.net (e-mail).
http://CleanInter.net/

CYBER PATROL - WARNING
Internet filter company Cyber Patrol won't block the Web sites of homosexual activist groups but are blocking Don Wildmon's American Family Association's Web site because of the "intolerance" of AFA's pro-family stand on homosexuality (6/98 Washington Watch). The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), a militant pro-homosexual group, is a charter member of Cyber Patrol's oversight committee! (Calvary Contender, August 1, 1998).

FAMILY CONNECT PORN BLOCKER
Family Connect Porn Blocker service filters on the server side, not on the personal computer side. Thus it cannot be tampered with by young people in the home. It blocks out over 100,000 specific pornographic and detrimental addresses that are updated every day. It works with one’s existing Internet provider and incorporates with Microsoft Explorer and Netscape Navigator. It does not work with American Online, Prodigy or other proxy based online services. More than 400 dial in access points across America. The filtering service is only $4.95 a month and it can be canceled any time. Unlimited Internet access for only $18.95 per month. We received the following testimony from a man who has tried Family Connect: "Thank you for distributing information about anti-porn internet options. Several weeks ago, after you first publicized pornblocker, I tried using porn-blocker with prodigy internet, but it was firewalled. Fed up, I switched then entirely to familyconnect, the online service provided by the pornblocker people. I have found it to be a better service than prodigy internet or prodigy classic, with faster connections, and fewer disconnections, for a slightly lower price. I recommend it to anyone interested in hassle-free clean internet access."
http://www.PornBlocker.com/

HEDGEBUILDERS
Internet filtering software which blocks inappropriate web sites from a Christian perspective.
Hedgebuilders@ij.net
www.hedge.org/sr/0004.htm

INTEGRITY ONLINE
"Why should you choose Integrity Online over other Internet service providers? We filter offensive content at our servers. What this means to you and your family is access to the vast and useful information on the Internet, without the risk of stumbling upon pornography, violent or hateful content, etc. We will stop it ourselves so you can have peace of mind. You might say to yourself, 'Why can't I buy software for my own computer, and filter it myself?' You can, no doubt about it, but the drawbacks to this are: You must purchase the software and install it yourself. You are responsible for keeping the software updated. You must pay for each update. You must also pay for Internet access through an ISP. At Integrity Online we provide all these services for you." 888-465-4357 (in Washington), 800-585-6603, sales@integrityonline21.com (e-mail)
http://www.integrityonline.com/

RATED-G ONLINE
A Christian Internet service offering nationwide filtered Internet access. Launched on February 1, 1998. 888-711-6381 (orders), 704-544-7071 (voice), info@711.net (e-mail). "I take protecting my family very seriously. So when it came to my family using the Internet, I waited for a secure solution. Rated-G Online has given us peace of mind and proven, test after test, that our teenage children will not come across inappropriate sites when surfing for entertainment or doing research on their homework projects" (Steve Hewitt, Christian Computing Magazine).
www.rated-g.com

TRUSTED NET
Trusted.net also provides a filtered internet service similar to the Rated-G service. Trusted.net has local numbers in eleven states (California, Florida, Gerogia, Illinois, Mass., Michigan, New York, Penn., Tenn., Texas, & Washington) with plans to eventually be available nationally. They can be contacted at: or 770-425-5700. John Chambers chambers@trusted.net
www.trusted.net

See also "How to Keep My Family and Myself Pure on the Internet"