Web Filter FAQs
From UntangleWiki
How does Web Filter work?
Untangle Web Filter transparently scans HTTP traffic in order to block or log specific activity. Websites can be blocked or logged based on content category (porn, gambling, social networking, etc.), specific url (MySpace, YouTube, ESPN, etc.), MIME Type or File Types (.exe, .mp3, .avi, etc..)
Can I install Untangle on a single computer to use as Parental Control software?
No. You cannot install Untangle on a single computer to use as Parental Control software. Installing Untangle will wipe out your existing operating system and all files on your hard drive. It can only be used as a Gateway to implement Parental Control or Web Filtering on connected client computer(s).
For a single PC, other Internet filter/Parental Control software can be used.
My settings don't seem to be taking effect. Why?
When a specific URL is added or removed from either the Block List or Pass List or categories, there may appear to be delays in changes taking effect. New Settings only take effect for new sessions, but many modern browsers have many layers of caching and keep connections open in the background. If settings appear to not be taking effect try flushing the cache and closing and reopening all browsers.
Can I unblock websites that are appropriate for my business but are listed in inappropriate content categories?
Yes, any website can be placed on a “Pass List” by URL to override blocklisting when it is also in a content category “Block List.” This is particularly useful in industries like healthcare where legitimate medical or drug-related research could require access to sites that have been miscategorized in category block lists (usually pornography or drug content).
My users complained that they cannot connect to somesite.com, and it keeps showing up in my Event Log as blocked. How can I stop somesite.com from being blocked?
You can add a rule to the Pass List for somesite.com, as described in Passed Sites.
Why am I not getting all of the content for a web site on my Pass List?
It's common for a web site to display links, banners and content from other web sites as part of their web pages. There are two easy methods to re-integrate the content while maintaining your access controls.
- METHOD #1 (preferred)
- Access the Web Content Control Event Log, and either Refresh the list or set it to Auto-Refresh.
- In your browser, access the web site that has missing content -or- the page on that web site that is missing content.
- Check the Web Content Control Event Log again, and refresh if necessary. Web sites whose content is missing will be shown at the top of the list.
- Access the Web Content Control Pass List, and add the URL(s) that appeared in the event log. Remember to click Save.
- Access the web site (or the specific page) again. The content should now be present.
- METHOD #2
- In your browser, access the web site that has missing content -or- the page on that web site that is missing content.
- Right-click in your browser and select View Source in Internet Explorer or View Page Source in Firefox. PLEASE NOTE that the source of the web page may be very lengthy and/or difficult to read. ALSO, embedded Java, Flash, Shockwave may pull content from elsewhere and those sites will not be available to be listed as part of the page source.
- Access the Web Content Control Pass List, and add URL(s) that appeared in page source. Remember to click Save.
- Access the web site (or the specific page) again. The content will hopefully be present.
Can I grant privileged access to some users while still blocking sites for everyone else?
Yes, individual policies can be created for adminstrators, executives or any other user that requires unique Internet access to complete their job.
We run a hotel, where employees are not permitted to browse to inappropriate content yet guests using a public Internet terminal are not restricted. How can we handle this situation?
Configure the web filter policies as you would for employees. Then, create a pass list to exempt guests. For more information, go to Passed Clients.
Can I create time based policies to let user access personal sites during lunch?
Yes, policies can be created to allow access to blocked sites such as webmail or social networking during break or off-peak network usage hours.
Can Untangle Web Filter help me block video and music file formats?
Yes, Untangle Web Filter can block numerous types of file format including audio and video files such as mp3, wmf, wav, avi, mpg and mov.
Can Untangle Web Filter help me protect my network from potentially malicious file types like executables?
Yes, Untangle Web Filter can block numerous file types including executables such as exe, ocx, bin, dll, cab, bin, and com.
Why block both MIME Type and File Types?
In an ideal world, both pieces of information would always be present for every web request. However, some sites use incorrect content types or extensions. Also, the behavior of operating systems (Windows vs. Mac) is different when given only file extension or content type. To be safe, both lists should be used.
Does Untangle Web Filter block IM, peer-2-peer, or gaming protocols like World of Warcraft?
Untangle Web Filter does not block protocols that can “hop ports.” However, Protocol Control, another module that runs the Untangle platform, does block “port hopping” traffic and comes preconfigured with dozens of signatures that block popular IM clients, games like World Warcraft and peer-2-peer applications like BitTorrent.
What Kind of Reporting Does Untangle Offer?
Untangle Web Filter provides network and user based reporting. The reports show high level trends like peak network usage hours and also drill-down into user level incidents for activity monitoring.
Does Untangle Use Blocklists?
Yes, Untangle uses Urlblacklist.com. However, we have found that false positives make these blocklists insufficient on their own. Thus, we manually inspect all blocklists before updating Untangle content categories.
Can I block all web sites except certain ones?
Yes, simply block all categories (including "Uncategorized"). Then add whatever sites you'd like to pass to the pass list. Beware that the complex nature of the web and the fact that many applications communicate over http can make this approach difficult.
