New software to block virtual assaults introduced

MELBOURNE - With virtual assaults going on the rise, a software firm has introduced a new software programme to block out Cyber bullies.

NetBox Blue, the firm, has added the Cyber Bullying Prevention Engine, which can block, quarantine or report offensive emails.

It is already being used by many private schools.

"A lot of the schools were saying to us they needed to lock down the use of email, for the students, trying to prevent them from receiving inappropriate content and anything related to bullying," News.com.au quoted chairman John Fison as saying.

Schools can implement a dictionary of words that are frequently used by cyber bullies, and the email is intercepted before it reaches the intended victim.

"You can imagine some of the words that might be in that," Fison said.

"It (the program) can quarantine it, it can reject it, forward a copy to administrators, it depends on how the schools are setting it up.

"Most schools are blocking the emails or sending a reply back to the sender to say the language was inappropriate," he added.

Christian Schools Australia, Queensland executive officer, Lynne Donelley, says that bullying has been on the rise over the past few years and the introduction of the software was another tool to combat the problem.

"It (bullying) hinders the learner from being able to focus and it creates emotional and psychological distress that can be quite harmful," Donelley said. (ANI)