[3442] in WWW Security List Archive
Re: configuring a site to ban porno/violence www access... (fwd)
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Henry Lim Chee Wee)
Mon Nov 4 00:28:16 1996
Date: Mon, 04 Nov 1996 10:23:18 +0800
From: Henry Lim Chee Wee <cwlim@ncs.com.sg>
To: Cort <ccwee@cyberway.com.sg>
CC: WWW Security List <WWW-SECURITY@ns2.rutgers.edu>
Errors-To: owner-www-security@ns2.rutgers.edu
Perhaps I would need to clarify the situation here.
My question was posted over the www-security mailing list
because of a genuine concern regarding public access.
The machines to be fitted with the website restricted access
software ( or accessed the Internet through a proxy server
and/or firewall ) are not meant for adults working within
an organisation. It's for pubic access areas (i.e. Libraries)
where both adults and children mingle freely.
Please do not try to pull the Singapore government into the picture.
This issue here has nothing to do with the government's concern
over the free information status of the Internet. I am sure that
the White house and 10DowningSt is equally concern.
The main concern here is porno sites. I am sure adults like you
and me are fully capable of getting whatever information we will
like by whatever means possible. And I can tell you that most
porno sites in the Internet has no security whatsoever. Even
the $$$ charging farce is poorly done (which means that teenagers
and children can bypass it if they do not want to pay).
We have a responsibility towards the youngsters. Don't tell me
that a picture of a naked woman in suggestive pose is free information
and everyone has the right to ogre at it. There are possibilities
to access such stuffs in Singapore, be it from BBS, pressed cd-roms,
pirated video-cds,LDs,video cassettes, smuggled x-rated magazines, ftp
sites and the web sites. All I wanted to do is to reduce this
possibility, if only through the web.
I am rather apologetic if my words of 'maximum security' triggered
off such divided attention over information rights. I do know that
total security is impossible, and hence the word 'maximum'. But
I guess most people are ever so sensitive over it as well. (note:
what does it reminds you of? four walls? being caged in? :P. yeah,
me too)
Just for your info, we have a firewall in place for them
(everyone is asking for one, *sigh*) and a proxy server as well.
But they are asking for something more to ease their minds and
hence my question.
On a more personal side, pls do not equate me with the Singapore
government. Singapore is certainly no utopia, but it is an island
country with no resources other than ourselves, and the ability
to convince the world economy that this is the place to invest.
How else to build a secured WAN without your security policies?
To build up a country in about 30 years is no mean feat, and
inevitably, it means a lot of personal sacrifices on our part.
I do not like a firewall, but that doesn't mean there isn't the need
for one. I don't like proxys either, but if it's for the bad guys,
by all means.
-Henry-
