Leipziger Volkszeitung 2002/01/30, p.18  (translated from German)

In future Leipzig could stand for security on the internet all over the world. A young company recently got the patent for a filter that makes it possible to fight the biggest problems of the computer network like violence, pornography, and viruses.

"Real-time data filter for binary data streams" is the official name of patent number 19958638. It stands for a revolution in the internet. "We are going to change everything to do with security", says René Holzer, CEO of Nutzwerk Informationsgesellschaft mbH. At the moment the damage done by destructive viruses is estimated at 8.5 billion euros worldwide. "Our data filter is going to take away the fear of viruses in the internet", predicts Holzer. It can also be used against child pornography, right-wing extremism or other unwanted contents.

The system is simple: Whenever files are downloaded from the internet to the private PC, a program checks at the lowest level if the data contain forbidden or dangerous files. Critical material is filtered out and examined more closely. "Clean" content is passed on to the user, unwanted files are put into the trash.

What's so special about it: The filtering process is done within the internet. "We are shifting the anti-virus program to the provider", says Holzer. The latest software doesn't have to be installed on every single computer, but only on one central mainframe computer. There the anti-virus program can be maintained and updated much faster centrally. This way companies, public institutions, schools, or even private persons can get security on the internet at a much lower cost.

A stripped down version of the software – "SaferSurf" – already ensures an appropriate use of the internet in two vocational schools in Leipzig. In the central library of Saxony-Anhalt in Halle the program makes sure that users do not download music files from the internet. In Saxony Nutzwerk has signed an outline agreement with the Free State for the gradual connection of schools, in Leipzig a pilot scheme is being considered.

However, established internet users like the members of the Chaos Computer Club are warning against it. Spokesman Andy Müller-Maguhn: "What is harmful to users and what isn't?", he asks. "Who decides it?" The success of the internet was ensured above all by a free availability of information. He thinks it is unreasonable to cut this freedom in return for more security. It is more a question of how to deal with the information rather than carrying out censorship. Nutzwerk is hotly debated on the internet.

"We want to give responsibility to those who have to bear it", says Holzer about his philosophy. "The teacher is responsible during lessons, parents are responsible at home, and in businesses the boss can block certain pages. "But it is not us who is blocking pages", Holzer says with emphasis. "We only deliver the tool for it."

This program won the special prize for the best value added model New Economy/Old Economy at the Innovation Prize 2001 of the city of Leipzig. Nutzwerk wants to put the filter on the market at the end of February / beginning of March. Then surfers all over the world can log into a computer that is running in Leipzig and get security instead of viruses. "We are thinking of a fee of about six euros per year", says CEO Ramona Wonneberger who is responsible for marketing.