The government implemented the filter so that every family could download the client software and have a way of protecting their children online.
But Melbourne student Tom Wood reportedly took just 30 minutes to beat the filter, while leaving the toolbar in place so that it looked like it was still doing its job.
Local press reports described Wood as a bit of a cyber-activist who has lobbied the government to listen to the youth of Australia.
Wood has spoken out on matters such as cyber-bullying, and advocates teaching children how to protect themselves online rather than having their parents install a filter on their behalf.
Child beats Australia's national porn filter
By
Clement James
on
Aug 29, 2007 7:36AM
The Australian federal government is in fire-fighting mode following reports that a 16 year-old schoolboy hacked his way through an $84 million internet porn filter launched by the government earlier this month.
Got a news tip for our journalists? Share it with us anonymously here.
Partner Content
Promoted Content
5 essential digital transformation ideas
Promoted Content
Teaching tech teams every step of implementing a machine learning project
Promoted Content
Top 5 Benefits of Managed IT Services
Promoted Content
Security "mindset shift" needed to protect organisations
Sponsored Whitepapers
Planning before the breach: You can’t protect what you can’t see
Beyond FTP: Securing and Managing File Transfers
NextGen Security Operations: A Roadmap for the Future
Video: Watch Juniper talk about its Aston Martin partnership
Don’t pay the ransom: A three-step guide to ransomware protection
