# Monitor filter

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> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Monitor_filter.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monitor_filter
> Source revision: 1329512775
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{Refimprove|date=February 2011}}
A '''monitor filter''' is an accessory to the [computer display](/source/computer_display) to filter out the light reflected from the smooth glass surface of a [CRT](/source/Cathode_ray_tube) or [flat panel](/source/Flat-panel_display) display.<ref name=kruegle2006/> Many also include a ground to dissipate [static buildup](/source/static_electricity). A secondary use for monitor filters is privacy as they decrease the [viewing angle](/source/viewing_angle) of a monitor, preventing it from being viewed from the side; in this case, they are also called '''privacy screens'''.
<gallery>
File:Limanerp.jpg | privacy screen (microscope photo)
File:Blickschutzangitterp.gif | The operating principle of a slat protection film (drawing)
</gallery>
The standard type of anti-glare filter consists of a coating that reduces the reflection from a glass or plastic surface.<ref name=anshel2005/> These are manufactured from [polycarbonate](/source/polycarbonate) or [acrylic plastic](/source/Acrylate_polymer).<ref name=kruegle2006/> An older variety of anti-glare filter used a mesh filter that had the appearance of a nylon screen. Although effective, a mesh filter also caused degradation of the image quality.<ref name=anshel2005/>

Marketing names of privacy filters:
* [HP](/source/Hewlett-Packard)'s "SureView"<ref>{{Cite web|title=HP SureView Whitepaper|url=https://whp-aus2.cold.extweb.hp.com/pub/caps-softpaq/cmit/whitepapers/HPSureViewWhitepaper.pdf|website=hp.com}}</ref>
* [Lenovo](/source/Lenovo)'s "PrivacyGuard"<ref>{{Cite web|title=ThinkPad PrivacyGuard with PrivacyAlert|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k9kFZHqL30 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/5k9kFZHqL30 |archive-date=2021-12-14|url-status=live|website=youtube.com| date=28 April 2020 |publisher=Lenovo}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* [Dell](/source/Dell)'s "SafeScreen"

Support for privacy screen is available since [Linux kernel](/source/Linux_kernel) 5.17 that expose it through [Direct Rendering Manager](/source/Direct_Rendering_Manager) and is used by [GNOME](/source/GNOME) 42.

Support for hotkey handling for toggling the privacy screen was added in Linux kernel 6.18.<ref>{{cite web |title=Linux 6.18 Lands Electronic Privacy Screen Hotkey Handling For Some Dell Laptops |url=https://www.phoronix.com/news/Linux-6.18-Electronic-Privacy |website=www.phoronix.com |access-date=6 November 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
<references>

<ref name=anshel2005>{{cite book | first=Jeffrey | last=Anshel | year=2005 | page=56 | title=Visual ergonomics handbook | publisher=CRC Press | isbn=1-56670-682-3}}</ref>

<ref name=kruegle2006>{{cite book | first=Herman | last=Kruegle | pages=271&ndash;272 | title=CCTV surveillance: analog and digital video practices and technology | edition=2nd | publisher=Butterworth-Heinemann | year=2006 | isbn=0-7506-7768-6 }}</ref>

</references>

Category:Display technology
Category:Ergonomics

{{compu-hardware-stub}}

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Monitor filter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monitor_filter) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monitor_filter?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.