Sky Launches New Internet Protection Tool - Sky Broadband Shield

14 November 2013

Sky Launches New Internet Protection Tool - Sky Broadband Shield

Sky's Broadband Shield will give customers complete control over their online experience, across all in-home internet-connected devices

Launching today, Sky Broadband Shield is a new technology offering family friendly filters that help customers choose which websites can be accessed in their home. Available completely free to all Sky Broadband customers, the filters work across all devices connected to Sky Broadband - including PCs, tablets, smart-phones and games consoles.

Customers can filter websites based on ten main categories, which have been created based on feedback from customers about the types of online material they are most concerned about. The categories include pornography, suicide and self-harm. Each of the categories can then be switched on or off with a click of a button, in line with a customer's individual wishes.

To make things simpler still, customers have the option of filtering websites by age, with the categories organised by age banding. Customers can choose from settings which they'll be familiar with from the way movies are classified - i.e. PG' (under 13s), 13' (13 and over), and 18' (adults only).

Customers can even make decisions about individual websites, overriding the pre-defined categories. By blocking or allowing access to specific websites, customers can have ultimate control over how they customise their filters.

Sky Broadband Shield also helps provide protection for all internet-connected devices in the home against phishing sites and malicious websites containing viruses.

Customers will be able to modify the filtering settings on the account at any time, either from their home or remotely via their password protection on their My Sky account. They also have the option to turn off the filters completely.

Sky Broadband Shield will be available from today to all Sky Broadband customers - including those joining Sky for the first time and all other existing customers via their My Sky account on sky.com.

Lyssa McGowan, Director of Sky Broadband, comments: Protecting customers from inappropriate content in the digital world is something Sky has always taken extremely seriously. Sky has already played a leading role in protecting Sky homes from inappropriate content, as we know that's what our customers expect of Sky.

Now we're going one step further by offering our customers great new technology which means they can feel confident that all their devices in the home are protected. Sky Broadband Shield is a brilliantly simple tool that allows customers to easily choose how much of the internet to let into their homes.

At the same time, it helps protect all our customers against the threat of phishing sites and other malicious websites that may contain viruses.

Sky already has in place a number of measures to protect children. They include:

PIN protection on Sky TV, so certain programmes and even entire genres of channels can be locked behind a PIN, or even hidden from the electronic programme guide altogether.

Sky was also the first public WiFi provider to publicly commit to filter out access to inappropriate websites as standard across our more than 20,000 WiFi zones. So whether in cafes, shopping centres or train stations - places where parental supervision can't be assumed - we've made sure children can't inadvertently access inappropriate content over Sky's public network.

-ENDS-

For more information:

Hannah Ashby

Consumer PR, Sky

Hannah.ashby@bskyb.com

About Sky Broadband Shield:

Activation required. Sky recommends that all devices connected to the internet are protected by antivirus software at all times.

About Sky:

Sky is the UK and Ireland's leading home entertainment and communications company. Around 40% of all homes have a direct relationship with Sky through its range of TV, broadband and home telephony services.

Sky is the UK's biggest investor in television content, investing more than £2.5 billion a year in channels such as Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Living, Sky Arts, Sky Sports, Sky Movies and Sky News. Around two-thirds of Sky's content spend is invested in the UK and Sky is the fastest-growing source of investment in original British programmes. More than 30 million people watch Sky content each week.

Alongside its commitment to offering customers a greater choice of high-quality content, Sky is a leading innovator. Customers enjoy total control and flexibility over their favourite TV through Sky+, watch TV on the move through Sky Go, and enjoy the best quality TV experience at home through High Definition and 3D.

Sky distributes its content broadly over several platforms, including satellite, cable, IPTV, mobile and WiFi. NOW TV, Sky's second consumer brand, builds on the company's leadership in internet TV. Sky is also the UKs fastest-growing home communications company and favourite triple-play' provider of TV, broadband and home phone.

Sky believes in making a wider contribution to the communities in which it operates by taking positive action on the environment, supporting grassroots sports and increasing access to, and participation in, the arts. Sky employs 23,000 people, has annual revenues of £7.2 billion and is estimated to support a £5.4 billion contribution to UK GDP. Sky is listed on the London Stock Exchange (BSY). www.sky.com/corporate

LINK:	http://corporate.sky.com/media/press_releases/2013/sky_launches_new_in...
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