48
Internet Usage Filters
38
Websense Web Security and Websense Web Filter
In a first-time installation, Websense software creates a Default policy and uses it to
begin monitoring Internet requests as soon as a subscription key is entered (see The
Default policy, page 74). Initially, the Default policy permits all requests.
To apply different filtering restrictions to different clients, start by defining category
filters. You might define:
One category filter that blocks access to all Web sites except those in the Business
and Economy, Education, and News and Media categories
A second category filter that permits all Web sites except those that represent a
security risk and those containing adult material
A third category filter that monitors access to Web sites without blocking them
(see Creating a category filter, page 49)
To accompany these category filters, you might define:
One protocol filter that blocks access to Instant Messaging and Chat, P2P File
Sharing, Proxy Avoidance, and Streaming Media protocol groups.
A second protocol filter that permits all non-HTTP protocols except those
associated with proxy avoidance
A third protocol filter that permits all non-HTTP protocols (see Creating a
protocol filter, page 51)
Once you have defined a set of filters that correspond to your organization’s Internet
access regulations, you can add them to policies and apply them to clients (see
Internet Filtering Policies, page 73).
Filtering categories and protocols
The Websense Master Database organizes similar Web sites (identified by URLs and
IP addresses) into categories. Each category has a descriptive name, like Adult
Material, Gambling, or Peer-to-Peer File Sharing. You can also create your own,
custom categories to group sites of particular interest to your organization (see
Creating a custom category, page 206). Together, the Master Database categories and
user-defined categories form the basis for Internet filtering.
Websense, Inc., does not make value judgments about categories or sites in the Master
Database. Categories are designed to create useful groupings of the sites of concern to
subscribing customers. They are not intended to characterize any site or group of sites
or the persons or interests who publish them, and they should not be construed as
such. Likewise, the labels attached to Websense categories are convenient shorthand
Note
When you upgrade from an earlier Websense software
version, existing policy settings are preserved. After
upgrading, review your policies to ensure that they are still
appropriate.
