IBM Proventia Web Filter

Overview:

Powerful and accurate, IBM Proventia Web Filter helps improve productivity and enforce Internet usage policies.

Highlights:

• Proventia Web Filter analyzes content quickly and accurately. Its sophisticated technology combines text and image analysis with one of the world's largest URL and image databases that works in advance to protect your business.
• Proventia Web Filter is easily customized to your Internet access policies. Flexible and easy-to-use, it allows you to define access rules by user, time frame, content type and resulting action. Options range from simple performance restrictions, time-of-day regulations and posted warnings to complete blocks.
• Proventia Web Filter is available as stand-alone software or as an included module of IBM Proventia Network Multi-Function Security (MFS).

IBM Proventia Web Filter is designed to block more unwanted Web content than any other content filtering product.

With more than 100 million catalogued Web sites, Proventia Web Filter is one step ahead of the latest unwanted Web content because it is constantly and automatically updated with 150,000 new and updated Web pages added to the database each day.

Enforcing Internet usage policy and blocking Internet threats
Inappropriate Web usage by employees results in significant productivity losses and increased IT and legal risk. IBM Proventia Web Filter technology helps enforce Internet usage policies by blocking unwanted Web content. As a result, organizations can potentially improve productivity and reduce expo-sure to legal and online risks.

Online auctions, chat rooms, music downloads, games and more can distract your employees, use valuable network bandwidth and introduce Internet threats to the IT environment. Proventia Web Filter technology pro-vides comprehensive control over employee Internet access and is designed to enable organizations to improve productivity, enhance security, free up bandwidth and limit outside security threats.

Flexible settings and granular filtering ability make Proventia Web Filter technology a powerful solution
The automated categorization of Proventia Web Filter technology analyzes online text, images and links to provide granular filtering ability, helping to ensure that only content that puts the organization at risk will be blocked. Valuable Web content remains accessible.

The Proventia Web Filter management interface was designed for ease of use and to make it simple to define Web usage policies. Flexible settings enable organizations to customize and define who can access what, at what times and what content will be blocked or allowed. These settings are adapt-able to individuals, specific groups or across the entire organization.

Proventia Web Filter technology also includes the following features for advanced content filtering:

• WebLearn—creates an optional feed-back loop within Proventia Web Filter technology that triggers automatic Web content analysis when a user visits a previously unknown URL
• PassLock—enables organizations to override a block on a Web page that is typically prohibited for a specific user or specific users during a defined time period
• Media-type filter—immediately recognizes URLs containing image and video files that can take up valuable network bandwidth

Backed by a comprehensive filter database
Proventia Web Filter technology relies on a large and up-to-date Web filter data-base that includes more than 87 million (as of September 2007) analyzed URLs and more than 7 billion analyzed Web pages and images. Each day, 1,200 Web crawlers search the Internet to perform analysis on new or updated content. After text, images and links are ana-lyzed, they are classified into one of 62 categories to enable granular filtering. For example, detailed analysis provided by Proventia Web Filter technology can distinguish between medical content and pornography and between historical content and hate sites. Also, all filter cat-egories are available to your organization upon installation of Proventia Web Filter technology. There is no extra charge for so-called “premium” categories.

Platforms and interfaces supported by Proventia Web Filter technology
Proventia Web Filter technology sup-ports the following operating systems:

• Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003
• Red Hat Linux 7.3, 8.0, 9.0 (kernel 2.4)
• SUSE Linux 7.3, 8.1, 8.2, 9.0 (kernel 2.4)

Proventia Web Filter technology offers proxy integration with the following servers:

• Integrated HTTP proxy (non- caching <100 users)
• Plug-in for Microsoft ISA Server 2004/2006
• ICAP for Blue Coat SG, NetCache or patched Squid
• Redirector program for Squid

Proventia Web Filter technology sup-ports authentication for the following:

• IP address/IP address ranges
• Microsoft Windows NT domains and Windows NT workgroups
• Microsoft Active Directory users and groups
• Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) (Active Directory, Novell eDirectory, etc.)
• Access Control List (ACL) (Squid)

Proventia Web Filter technology offers proxy integration with Windows NT LAN Manager authentication support for the following:

• Microsoft ISA Server 2000/2004/2006
• Blue Coat SG
• NetCache

Proventia Web Filter technology offers proxy integration with basic authentica-tion support for the following:

• Integrated proxy (standalone), Squid

Features:

Proventia Web Filter, formerly Cobion OrangeBox Web, received a 5-star overall rating in SC Magazine's 2008 Web Content Management review.

Suitable for businesses of all sizes, Proventia Web Filter software can be integrated into your existing caching, proxy, or SMTP infrastructure. Proventia Web Filter blocks more unwanted Web content with features like:

• One of the world's largest URL databases
• One of the world's largest image databases containing more than one billion images
• Sophisticated text and image content analysis
• File type blocking
• Real-time monitoring
• Daily updates
• Classification in 68 categories
• Rule-based 'black & white' lists
• Customizable block pages
• Media-type filter
• WebLearn
• PassLock
• Easy customization
• Easy integration into existing network architecture
• Individually definable user groups
• Monitoring and reporting functions

Support:

One year of standard support and one year of database updates are included with your purchase.

Database Categories:

Pornography / Nudity

• Pornography: Includes Web sites containing the depiction of sexually explicit activities and erotic content unsuitable to persons under the age of 18.
• Erotic / Sex: Includes Web sites containing erotic photography and erotic material, as can be found on television or obtained free of charge from magazines. Sex toys are also in this category. Sexually explicit activities are not listed here.
• Swimwear / Lingerie: Includes Web sites containing nudity, but with no sexual references. Includes bikini, lingerie and nudity.

Ordering

• Shopping: Includes Web sites of retailers and wholesalers, sites offering price comparisons and online shops.
• Auctions / Classified Ads: Includes auction sites, auction houses, marketplaces and classified ads.
• Banner Advertisements: Includes Web sites for ad-serving services, ad servers and pay-to-surf services.

Society / Education / Religion

• Governmental Organizations: Includes Web sites with content for which governmental organizations are responsible (e.g. Government branches or agencies, Police Departments, Fire Departments) and international governmental organizations such as the United Nations or the European Union.
• Non-Governmental Organizations: Includes the Web sites of non-governmental organizations such as clubs, communities, non-profit organizations and labor unions.
• Cities / Regions / Countries: Includes Web sites of municipalities, countries and online mapping services.
• Education: Includes e-learning Web sites, dictionaries, encyclopedias, scientific literature and educational institutions such as universities, colleges, schools, kindergartens etc.
• Political Parties: This category contains Web sites of political parties and politicians.
• Religion: Includes Web sites with religious content, information about the five main religions, and religious communities that have emerged out of these religions.
• Sects: This category contains sites about sects, cults, occultism, Satanism etc.

Criminal Activities

• Illegal Activities: This category includes activities that are illegal according to German law, such as manuals for bomb building or murder, instructions for illegal activities, child pornography, etc.
• Computer Crime / Hacking: Includes manuals for malware programming, credit card misuse and the illegal manipulation of electronic devices, data networks and software.
• Political Extreme / Hate / Discrimination: Contains Web sites of politically extreme groups racism, sexism, suppression of minorities and extremists.
• Warez / Software Piracy: This category contains Web sites that enable the unauthorized use of copyright protected material such as software, movies and music etc.

Violence / Extreme
Includes Web sites that are normally assigned to other categories, but are particularly extreme in their content (e.g. violence).

Games / Gambling

• Gambling / Lottery: Includes lottery organizations, casinos and betting agencies.
• Computer Games: Web sites of the computer and video game industry, online gaming zones or Web sites dealing with these topics.
• Toys: Web sites that inform about scale models, board games, dolls etc. and Web sites of the toy industry.

Entertainment / Culture

• Cinema / Television: Includes Web sites in the area of cinema, television, program information, video on demand, movie rental services and Web sites that inform about actors. Social Media sites are not listed here but in their own category.
• Recreational Facilities / Theme Parks: This category contains Web sites about organizations for recreational activities, for example public swimming pools, zoos, fairs and amusement parks.
• Arts / Museums / Theatres: Includes Web sites from the area of arts, theatres, museums, monuments and exhibitions.
• Music / Radio Broadcast: Includes websites from radio stations, online radio, news and talk radio, radio hosts, audio downloads, audio streams, homepages of bands, record labels and music publishers. Social Media sites are not listed here but in their own category.
• Literature / Books: This category contains literature such as novels, poems, cooking books and recipes, advisories etc.
• Humor / Cartoons: This category contains sites with humorous content such as comedians, jokes, comics, cartoons etc.
• Social Media: Includes Web sites that enable users to view, search for, rate and publish media files and streams.

Information / Communication

• News / Magazines: This category contains Web sites with news, headlines and magazines.
• Webmail / Unified Messaging: This category contains Web sites from the area of Web-Personal Information Management (Web-PIM) such as email, calendar, tasks, fax, voicemail etc.
• Chat: This category contains Web sites with chat rooms and online messengers. Instant Messaging sites are no listed here but in their own category.
• Blogs / Bulletin Boards: This category contains newsgroups, bulletin boards, blogs and comments. Dating sites, Social Networking sites and Business Networking sites are not listed here but in their own categories.
• Mobile Telephony: Includes Web sites of mobile phone operators and manufacturers, mobile phone accessories and Web sites that enable users to send text messages (SMS).
• Digital Postcards: Includes Web sites that allow people to send digital postcards.
• Search Engines / Web Catalogs / Portals: This category contains search engines, Web catalogs and Web portals. Dating sites, Social Networking sites and Business Networking sites are not listed here but in their own categories.
• Instant Messaging: This category contains Web sites that enable users to communicate via Instant Messaging such as ICQ, MSN, AIM, Skype, GTalk, Jabber, Y!M, myspaceim etc.

Information Technology

• Software / Hardware: This category includes Web sites from the area of software, computer hardware and other electronic components.
• Communication Services: Includes Web sites such as Web hosting and Internet Service Providers.
• IT Security / IT Information: This category contains Web sites that inform people about security, privacy and data protection.
• Web Site Translation: This category contains Web sites that enable the translation of parts or the entire content of a Web site into another language.
• Anonymous Proxies: Includes Web sites that allow the user to surf anonymously.
• Web Storage: This category includes Web sites that offer file system-like services to share or backup files, often combined with user definable access rights.

Drugs

• Illegal Drugs: This category contains Web sites that glorify the abuse of drugs and Web sites about utilities for drug use.
• Alcohol: Includes Web sites that deal with alcohol as a pleasurable activity (e.g. wine, beer, liquor, breweries) and the producers of alcoholic beverages.
• Tobacco: Includes Web sites that deal with tobacco as a pleasurable activity (e.g. cigarettes, cigars, pipes) and the producers of tobaccos.
• Self-Help / Addiction: This category contains Web sites from self-help groups, marriage counseling and help for addiction problems.

Lifestyle

• Dating: This category contains websites that allow users to meet online and possibly develop a romantic or sexual relationship and escort services. Social Networking sites or Business Networking sites are not listed here but in their own categories.
• Restaurants / Entertainment Venues: This category contains Web sites about bars, discos, music festivals, restaurants and fast food restaurants.
• Travel: Includes Web sites about sights, travel agencies, hotels, resorts, motels, airlines, airports, railways, car rental agencies and tourist information.
• Fashion / Cosmetics / Jewelry: This category contains Web sites in the area of fashion, cosmetics, jewelry, perfume, fashion models and model agencies.
• Sports: This category contains Web sites about sports such as scores, results, clubs, teams, events, organizations etc.
• Architecture / Construction / Furniture: This category contains Web sites such as architects/architecture, contractors/construction, furniture, interior design, and home improvement etc.
• Environment / Climate / Pets: This category contains Web sites about weather, climate, pets, national parks, gardening, environment protection etc.

Personal Web Sites
This category contains Web sites with personal content. Dating sites, Social Networking sites and Business Networking sites are not listed here but in their own categories. Dating sites, Social Networking sites and Business Networking sites are not listed here but in their own categories.

Job Search
Includes Web sites within the area of job offerings, job searches, job agencies, labour exchanges, temporary work etc.

Finance / Investment

• Brokers /Stock Exchange: Includes Web sites about stock, options and futures brokerage / trading and exchange rates.
• Financial Services / Insurance / Real Estate: This category contains Web sites about real estate, insurance and financial services such as construction financing, loans, credit cards etc.
• Banking: This category contains Web sites such as bank offices, credit unions, online banking.

Vehicles
This category contains Web sites about automobiles, car tuning, car-exhibitions, motorbikes, aeroplanes, ships, bikes, railways etc.

Weapons / Military
This category contains Web sites from military organizations / companies and sites about weapons of any type.

Medicine

• Health: This category contains Web sites about physical and mental health, diseases, pharmaceuticals, hospitals, doctors, drugstores, nursing and elder care.
• Abortion: This category contains Web sites that deal with abortion.

Spam

• Spam URLs: This category contains Web sites that are solicited in spam emails.
• Phishing URLs: This category includes Web sites that are contained in phishing emails.

Malware
This category contains Web sites that install data transmitting programs without the user's knowledge.

General Business
This category includes Web sites of industry, business, economy and supply of services.

Social Networking

• Social Networking: This category contains Web portals that provide a virtual community to find and connect to people interested in a particular shared subject. The sites enable their members to publish profiles including personal data / media and provide interpersonal communication channels. Business Networking sites are not listed here but in their own category.
• Business Networking: This category contains web portals that provide a virtual community to cultivate business contacts.

System Requirements:

Hardware

• Pentium III 700 MHz or better
• 512MB or more RAM
• 5 GB free hard disk space

Software

• Windows ISA Server Version
• Windows 2000 Server, Windows 2003 Server
• Microsoft ISA Server 2000, ISA Server 2004

Windows Standalone Version:

• Windows 2000, Windows 2000 Server, or Windows XP Professional

Linux Version:

• Suse 7.3 (with 2.4. kernel), Suse 8.0
• RedHat 7.3 (with 2.4 kernel), RedHat 8.0

For user authentication:

• NT/W2K domain
• Compatible LDAP directory (Active Directory, Novell eDirectory, etc.)

Compatible browser

Documentation:

Download the IBM Proventia Web Filter Datasheet (PDF).