General Questions
Is Webshield a big brother censorship service?
Does Webshield support free speech?
Why has Webshield gone not for profit?

Filtering Questions
Will Webshield block good sites such as medical and breast cancer sites?
Can Webshield block peer to peer file sharing programs?
Can Webshield help parents and employers control chat and instant messaging.
Do I have to install any software on my computer to run Webshield filtering?
What plans does Webshield have for those suffering with an online addiction?
Why does Webshield sometimes block me out of good sites?
Can I have Image Searches and Freehosting enabled?
What do I do if a site I want is blocked?
Does Webshield filtering slow my connection down?

Technical Questions
Is your dial up service nation wide?
Does Webshield charge extra if I exceed my download limit?
Is it Webshields fault if I get a slow connection?
Is it Webshields fault if I get drop outs?
Common Causes for Drop outs
Spyware or Malware
Virus Infected PC
Faulty Modem
Bad exchange or phone line
Corrupted Internet or Email Software

Is Webshield a big brother censorship service?
No, Webshield was established on the premise that Internet content like all other forms of media should be subject to freedom of choice. That is, the conscience an preferences of the end use should dictate the content available to them. Webshield will at all times respect your conscience on any content and create a filter profile that will accommodate your needs.

Does Webshield support free speech?
No, not in the form which compromises the safety of children on line. Rather, Webshield supports freedom of choice, giving the end user the power to create their own on line experience and choose their own content.

Why has Webshield gone not for profit?
The Webshield directors did not establish Webshield for purely money making motives. Webshield was established to fill a need for families, schools and businesses to control their Internet content. We passionately believe in this cause and have gone the extra mile by providing free education, seminars and counselling. Going not for profit is a move which will best reflect our mission and aspirations as Australias first family friendly Internet service provider.

Will Webshield block good sites such as medical and breast cancer sites?
Only if you want us to, Webshield only blocks known bad sites, leaving medical sites open, however Webshield can block search words, URL key words as well as lock in google safe search. once again we are not a censorship organisation we are here to give you choice.

Can Webshield block peer to peer file sharing programs?
Yes we can, Webshield can either block them, traffic shape them ie allow a certain amount of data per month, or place them on a timer profile ie only available during certain times of the day.

Can Webshield help parents and employers control chat and instant messaging.
Yes we can, work out a time that is appropriate for chat and Webshield's timed filters can allow access only for that time.

Do I have to install any software on my computer to run Webshield filtering?
No, everything is done from our end before it reaches your computer, Webshield can not be disabled or circumnavigated by smart kids.

What plans does Webshield have for those suffering with an online addiction?
Webshield has a number of options to help people recover from on line addictions, these include whitelist only profiles, allowing access to a list of safe sites and nothing else, timer profiles which prevent access to the Internet at predetermined times of the day or night, partner agreements to prevent an affected party from requesting a filter change, advice, resource material 24/7 help line and counselling.

Why does Webshield sometimes block me out of good sites?
The Internet is not neatly divided up into good sites and bad sites. Some online technologies can be used for both good and bad purposes leaving the end user with a decision to make between convenience and protection. Just remember that decision is yours alone to make, we can explain the implication of your decision but you are the one who decides not us.
Our default profile has blocked free hosting sites (geocities, tripod, groupsmsn)and image searches due to the unreliable nature of the content.
This means that legitimate free host sites have also been blocked which can be the cause of some confusion. This has been done to protect you from the obscene content that is freely available using these services.

Can I have Image Searches and Freehosting enabled?
Yes you can, providing you are happy with the slightly increased risk of accessing obscene material. Remember there is no "one size fits all" solution to content filtering, that's why you need to contact us so we can modify your personal filter profile to your satisfaction.

What do I do if a site I want is blocked?
Fill in the form on the block page, be sure to include your name and the page that was blocked, or the entire block page address which includes the page you wanted.
Response times for report forms are as low as 10 minutes, you will then receive an email back informing you of the completion and if necessary explaining the implications of your decision.

Does Webshield filtering slow my connection down
No, Webshield filtering technology uses pass through filtering technology, our technology can handle up to 60 000 users with no slowing down of the network.

Is your dial up service nation wide?
Yes, we use a special nation wide number which is only charged as a local call. 0198307112.

Does Webshield charge extra if I exceed my download limit?
No, Webshield does not believe in lock in contracts, excess fee's and hidden charges, what you see is what you get. When you exceed your limit you speed will be slowed down to dial up speeds.

Is it Webshields fault if I get a slow connection?
No, our dial up network is set to provide you with the fastest possible speed for dial up. Your speed will vary depending on the condition of your line and the distance from the exchange.

Is it Webshields fault if I get drop outs?
In most cases No. Simply because it would be very bad for business if our net work was set up to deliberately cut customers off.

Common Causes for Drop outs
Modem speed incompatible with exchange speed.
If the modem is set at 56 000kbps and the exchange is only set for 33 000kbps this will cause conflicts and drop outs.
Solution Slow down the modem speed using the manufacturers instructions, we can help you with this.

Spyware or Malware
Programs that can set up different diallers on your pc and cause drop outs.
Solution Install Spyware removal software, we recommend Adaware, (http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10319876.html?tag=lst-0-1)
or Spybot, (http://www.webshield.net.au/htm/links.htm).

Virus Infected PC
Solution Install anti virus software, (http://www.webshield.net.au/htm/services.htm) for AVG free edition, and talk to us about increasing your on line security with our unique on line firewall.

Faulty Modem
Solution Buy a new one.

Bad exchange or phone line
Solution Get your provider to do a line check for interference.

Corrupted Internet or Email Software. (smug mac users may ignore this)
Microsoft have this nack of blaming the user or a service provider for problems relating to their software flaws.
Solution We recommend Mozilla or Avante Browsers and you can try mozilla thunderbird instead of Outlook. http://www.mozilla.org/