Overview

Content Filtering Object - Overview

Overview

The Content Filtering Object is designed to monitor Internet browsing and prevent users from accessing inappropriate web content, based upon flexible policies that are defined and managed locally. A wealth of graphical and text reports supports administrative review and validation of local Internet access policies. With the reports and tools of the Content Filter Object, administrators can assess who is accessing the Internet, where they are "surfing" to, when they are doing it, what they are seeing and the overall impact on network bandwidth due to the activity.

The key to this tool is the Content Database - a unique SQL database containing an ever growing list of categorized websites that can be selected for blocking, filtering or allowing by target-users or groups, time of day or other criteria. This database can be cooperatively updated and shared between remote sites, including Lightspeed Systems, allowing for dynamic discovery and categorization of unknown websites or the complete generation of a special "Category" to refine the database and enhance the enforcement of local Internet access.

The Content Filter Object can be configured to operate in 2 modes - Promiscuous or Bridging:

In the Promiscuous mode (also termed "passive") the Content Filter can be used to observe Internet traffic for monitoring and reporting purposes. The promiscuous mode can also be implemented within the Content Filter Passive Wizard to provide active "Blocked Category" redirection along with the passive network monitoring providing detailed reports on overall network activity without sacrificing Content Filtering objectives.

In the Bridging mode the all network traffic, inbound and outbound, pass through Content Filter and the Total Traffic Control configuration for the purpose of managing, directing and filtering the traffic. In this mode, the Content Filter evaluates user website requests ("get-requests"), compares the URL to "Blocked Category" lists and either allows the website connection and session or issues a "reset" to the website server and redirects the user to a notification page advise them of the action to block their request.

Within the configuration of the Content Filter Object numerous controls and criteria can be established, including blocking of certain types of websites by IP Address, Domain or URL, blocking or allowing specific file types (extensions) or setting access exceptions by date and time, users, groups and categories.