In the context of web filtering, what does reputation-based filtering primarily rely on?

Reputation-based filtering primarily relies on the past behavior of websites to assess their trustworthiness and safety. This method evaluates various factors, such as historical data regarding how a website has been perceived in terms of security, the presence of malware, phishing attempts, or other harmful activities associated with the site.

When a user attempts to access a website, the filtering system checks the website's previous reputation score based on its behavior over time. This score helps determine whether to allow or block access to the site. If a website has a track record of malicious activity or is frequently reported as unsafe, it is more likely to be blocked by the filtering system. Reputation-based filtering is a proactive approach, as it helps protect users based on the accumulated knowledge and data about website safety and reliability.

While user feedback and reviews provide insights, they are not the primary focus of reputation-based filtering. Similarly, current server performance or the geographical location of the user may not directly influence a website's inherent safety and reliability as established by its past behavior.