Assignment ICT: How do we control / filter internet access, from organization and home users perspective?

 

1)    Organization Software

Sophos Enterprise Security and Control

It offers RM 15,000 per year subscription per 200 users to Majlis Perbandaran Kajang. It official web site is at http://www.sophos.com

 

2)    Why Sophos?

This software is recommended by the Information Technology (IT) division of Majlis Perbandaran Kajang (MPKj) and use at MPKj

 

Awards and Recognitions

 

2.1)     Sophos won gold medal from Information security and searchsecurity.com. It was published on April 2008 issue.

2.2)    SC magazine has awarded 5 stars rating on Sophos Web Appliance in their March 2008 edition. They regard the WS 1000 is easy to use the moment we take out from box.

 

3)    How do I know about this product?

-From an IT officer of IT division of MPKj, and she said that MPKj has been using this with full satisfaction.

-In addition, I got the information from Sophos website.

 

4)    What is it features?

  Under this product, it delivers generally four types of         protection:

i)             Endpoint Security Control

Endpoint Security Control is where the security software, which is Sophos in this case, is distributed to end user device or computer centrally. It doesn’t need to install it physically one by one in each and every computer that has a connection to a network.

ii)            Email Security Control

It can fit into any network infrastructure. It protects email from spam, phishing, viruses, malware and spyware. It control the email infrastructure from the gateway. It can control over the messages content and attachments.

The policy control is customizable. Otherwise, users can opt for the simple and plug and play protection.

iii)           Web Security Control

Block spyware, phishing, viruses, malware and unwanted application.

This feature powered by Sophos Labs which cover has database of billions of web pages. It updates new threats URL detection every day.

iv)           Network Access Control (NAC)

This complete software based endpoint security solution is very comprehensive. It gives us ability to control who and what can connect to our network.

 

5)    What is its benefits?

4.1)    Easy to use

4.2)    24 hours support

4.3)   They have patented Behavioural Genotype technology which is less depending on updates for web filtering.

4.4)    Its device WS 1000 is easy to manage. It filter security risk i.e. virus, spyware, malware and at the same time filter web content.

4.5)    It can filter https (hyper text transfer protocol secure) through validating its licence.

4.6)    Customizable by IT administrator to set policy      and groups.

4.7)    Most of the tasks can be carried out at server end, no need to be at client console.

6)    What is it disadvantages?

5.1)    Sophos provide support by way of email and telephony only. I would prefer if they can set up an online forum as well.

5.2)     If one’s find that they may no longer need Sophos, and they wanted to uninstall it, Sophos installation files will not disappear totally.

5.3)     It doesn’t scan compressed file.

 

7)    What is its minimum requirements?

-Windows Vista / 2003 / XP / 2000 / 98 / ME / NT4

-Mac OSX versions 10.2/10.3/10.4

-Linux

 

    My opinion on this product.

So far, our IT division is very satisfied with this comprehensive software. It covers many angle of online security, be it email, internet surfing, chatting, peer to peer programs or web based video application such as YouTube. It does not slow down the computer speed during its operation.

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1)    Home software:

K9 Web Protection.

It is provided for free by Blue Coat Systems (Blue Coat). We can get it at http://www.k9webprotection.com

 

2)    Why K9 Web Protection?

Recommended by my friend who is working at one of the factory at Kawasan Perindustrian Balakong, Cheras.

He has been using it for quite some time, and he claimed that this software can be considered the best web filter among the freeware version for home users.

Among other things, even though it is a freeware, it still got recognition from others. Here some examples on awards received by K9.

2.1) It was considered as a family friendly web filter by Australia’s Internet Industry Association (IIA). IIA is non-profit      organization at Australia. IIA recommended K9 to be use as web filter through Australia ISP’s.

 

3)    How do I know about this product?

  I got the information about this product partly from my friend and most of it from its website and a dedicated online forum specifically discussing this product.

 

4)    What are the features?

4.1)     Block 60 content categories

It can block the web site if the content of the site fall under any categories specified in the database. The categories are stored in the BlueCoat database. We can configure the software to block or allow specific categories.

4.2)     Time restrictions

User can restrict time for accessing web site. For example, we can make a policy, no internet surfing during 10.00 p.m. to 7.00 a.m. in order to control them from awake throughout the night, surfing internet without sleeping and resting during school days.

4.3)     Web site exception

Even though a web site has been blocked due to it meets the requirement prescribed in the Block Content Categories, we can unblock that particular web site only, not all referring to the content of the categories.

In other word, we can allow access of this web site, but not others in the categories.rasanya

User can restrict time for accessing web site. For example, we can make a policy,

4.4)     Blocking Effects

This feature is quite interesting. Instead of pop up a window saying that you are block from accessing certain web site, K9 will alert the user and people near to the computer by playing an audible sound of dog barking. Why barking sound? Because K9 is a kind of dog species.

Further to that, if a user attempt to visit a block site several time, K9 will completely block the access to the web for a specified time.

4.5) URL (Uniform Resource Locator) keywords

K9 can block access to web, base on keyword type in the URL. For example, it will block access to the web site that has the word “porn” in the URL.

4.6)     Web Search option

It can diminish (lessen) the adult material receive from Google search engine. As of now, this feature only applies on Google search engine. K9 management will enhance it to cover other type of search engine in the near future.

4.7)     View reports of internet activity

Parents especially can check and view the reports of all internet browsing activity and monitor their children online activity.

      

5)    What is it benefits?

5.1)     Service-based filtering

-No database to download, therefore doesn’t slow down computer

-Accurate content filtering because its database operates as a service.

5.2)     Dynamic Real-Time Rating

-Highly accurate web filter method, rather than key word filtering.

-This technology is in the process of patent application by Blue Coat

5.3)     Automatic updating

The updates of the application in K9 is automatically received by user’s K9 installation.

5.4)     Efficient caching

As K9 is product of BlueCoat, which is known by its high performance caching and secure proxy technology, so K9 won’t render internet connection slow .

5.5)     Anti-phishing

It has anti-phising features. K9 blocked the phishing site before its loading.

5.6)     Ability to filter MySpace

Nowadays, even MySpace web site also has many phishing traps. K9 is effective in this area too.

5.7)     Online support forum

In addition to FAQ (Frequently Asked Question) and Online Instant Support, it offers user forums, which I love the most because we have a bunch of people who are willing to share their experience and expertise on K9.

 

6)    What is its disadvantages ?

6.1)  It doesn’t filter peer-to-peer application,  where one may received or transfer pornography file through this protocol as  well.

6.2)  It doesn’t filter https (secure http) and VPN (virtual private network) protocol.

6.3)     Doesn’t support windows 95/98/ME

6.4)     Doesn’t support Ubuntu Linux

 

7)    What is its minimum requirements?

-Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows    Vista    and Macintosh.

-support nearly all web browser such as, IE  (internet explorer), FireFox or NetScape.

 

    My view on this product. 

This product is a user friendly product, full with basic features needed to filter web access. Even though it is a freeware as a community service claimed by BlueCoat company, it doesn’t hinder it services by decreasing essential features.