What can be done to block adult images in search engine results?

What steps can be taken to ensure that children cannot access pornographic images through Google on their school's internet connection? Mike Rothman explains the options and the inherent difficulties.

Mike Rothman, Securosis

I am a schoolteacher and our students will often use Google to search for adult images. I know search engines have several features that enable you to block certain sites, but that feature can easily be turned off. Also, a content filter will not block search engine sites because they aren't rated as banned. What can be done to block these types of images in search results?

I wish there was an easy answer to this request. As the parent of school-age children, this is certainly a concern of mine, since kids tend to be pretty industrious and creative when they want to get access to stuff they shouldn't.

A browser default can be set for Google to have SafeSearch turned on (I believe you can do this within IE for all...

Step 2 of 2:

You forgot to provide an Email Address.

This email address doesn’t appear to be valid.

This email address is already registered. Please log in.

You have exceeded the maximum character limit.

Please provide a Corporate Email Address.
- I agree to TechTarget’s Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and the transfer of my information to the United States for processing to provide me with relevant information as described in our Privacy Policy.
Please check the box if you want to proceed.
- I agree to my information being processed by TechTarget and its Partners to contact me via phone, email, or other means regarding information relevant to my professional interests. I may unsubscribe at any time.
Please check the box if you want to proceed.

users via a Group Policy Object), but that is easy to get around for a moderately savvy student.

To date, the only answer I know of is to use brute force and that is to block all access to Google images. A Web-filtering rule can be set on the network's gateway or Web proxy to prevent access to that site. Of course, that totally turns off Google image searches and all of the students suffer. That's also not really an answer because there are quite a few search engines that will pull images from Google search and preventing access to all of them isn't an option.

So, in short, there is no easy answer, other than monitoring the students and ensuring discipline is handed down strongly and swiftly when students use the Internet in ways they shouldn't.

More information:

Protect computers from more than just unfiltered images: secure against google hacks and google dorks.
Learn how to lock down instant messaging.

This was last published in February 2008

Search beyond search engines

The use of technology in education has pros and cons

Teachers teaching teachers – how Google for Education fuels collaborative learning

Using the Google Transparency Report to enhance website blacklisting

Dig Deeper on Security Awareness Training and Internal Threats-Information

Search beyond search engines

The use of technology in education has pros and cons

Teachers teaching teachers – how Google for Education fuels collaborative learning

Using the Google Transparency Report to enhance website blacklisting

Related Q&A from Mike Rothman

How to prevent software piracy

What are the roles and responsibilities of a liaison officer?

What's the best career path to get CISSP certified?