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[Project-Buckfast]

TalkTalk launches new service dubbed "HomeSafe" to allow users to block malicious websites.

UK Internet Service Provider (ISP) TalkTalk has launched a new website blocking service in which users can choose which sites and content to block. The company claims they are the first major ISP to offer centralised blocking at server level.

So how will this work? Well, TalkTalk say HomeSafe will censor....Err block... websites at server level. Users that want to avail of the service can log in to a web based interface and apply certain filters that will block "adult" themed websites.

In order for this to work, the sites you are surfing have to be sent to TalkTalk servers. There they are scanned for malware or mature content and based on the result of the scan, the user will be blocked access to the site or allowed to continue as normal.

What constitutes normal? Well, pornography is obviously classed as adult themed and access is blocked. What about file sharing and Bittorrent sites? Well, they are also blocked by HomeSafe. Torrentfreak has discovered that ISOhunt and ThePirateBay are amongst a so far undisclosed blacklist of file sharing sites.

The use of the service is optional, however The move comes as a surprise to many. It was only a few weeks ago TalkTalk stood alongside BT as they were granted a judicial review of the Digital Economy Act.

HomeSafe only blocks websites, so downloading torrents or other files are unaffected by the block, which kinda defeats its own purpose?

The new service is by no means an all in one solution and can be easily circumvented by the use of proxies such a NinjaCloak.

The problem here is that TalkTalk are actually pleased that they have launched (a shoddy) service that promotes internet censorship. Clearly they are an ISP not as with the times as we thought.

Until next time..

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