A computer network is any group of interconnected computers and computer devices. Networks are set up so that individual computers and smaller networks are able to share data, applications and resources regardless of their physical proximity to each other. Computer networks vary a lot in scale, and can be anywhere from a few metres in length to those encompassing the entire area of the Earth. The Internet is the most prominent example of a global network, or more accurately, a network of networks. The shear size and anarchic quality of the Internet means that many people are looking for ways to filter out data before it arrives on their screens. Some Internet service providers (ISPs) are able to filter specific information on the Internet, before it can be downloaded to a person’s individual computer.
Some of the components that are used in computer networks include network cards and adaptors, hubs, bridges, repeaters, switches, routers, and network cable (Netzwerkkabel) products. All of these separate components have an effect on the overall speed of a computer network, with software on servers and computers often being set up to work with specific technologies. While network cables are not able to filter out information on a direct hardware level, any information received by receiving computers can be filtered out by dedicated filtering applications. The proliferation of the Internet into many homes and businesses around the world means that lots of people are turning to one of these filtering solutions in order to protect their families and their computers.
Internet filter programs are also known as content control applications, censorware, or web filtering software. In some countries such as Cuba, China, or Iran; these applications are ubiquitous, but for most other nations they are implemented as a result of individual choice. Schools and parents may wish to filter out specific sexual or illegal content from certain computers, or employers may wish to filter out some websites from company systems. The development of individual network cable solutions does not effect how these filtering systems work, as they all function directly on a software level. A network could be using coaxial cables, optical fiber cable (Glasfaserkabel), or twisted pair cable; and the filters would work exactly the same.