European Union names Windows Vista as one of the best net filtering tools

Microsoft’s Windows Vista operating system has been named as one of the best internet filtering tools for the online protection of children.

The European Union named Vista as the third best filtering tool for over 10 year olds in a recent study commissioned through the “Safer Internet Programme” in Europe. The study benchmarked the main functionalities, effectiveness and usability of most currently used filtering software from a technical and ‘fit -for-purpose’ point of view, without any commercial or profit related concern. The study noted that 84% of the software programs tested enable parents to block access to certain websites. However, they were less effective against social networking sites such as Facebook and online blogs. The EU also criticized the lack of software to filter content on mobile devices. ”Only a few products on the market are able to filter web content accessed via mobile phones or game consoles, at a time when one child out of four in Europe goes online in this way.”

The EU tested blocking scenarios of streaming, P2P, FTP, IRC, Skype, MSN and email. 26 different parental control tools for PCs, 3 for games consoles and 2 for mobile phones were tested against various scenarios. The study found that the existing software is good at filtering adult online content, but there is still at least a 20% chance that sites with unsuitable material for children and especially those encouraging youngsters to self harm (sites promoting anorexia, suicide or self-mutilation) could pass through their filters.

Microsoft has experienced a turbulent time with the European Union over the years. The European Commission ordered Microsoft to pay $794 million in fines and product a version of Windows without Windows Media Player in March 2004 following years of complaints from competitors. Microsoft fought the judgement and eventually bowed to pressure from the EU by announcing Windows XP Home Edition N in March, 2005. The new rules also impacted Windows Vista and Microsoft was forced to create separate versions of Windows Vista in accordance with EU sanctions brought against the company for violating anti-trust laws.