SmoothWall Guardian Web Filter

Submitted by vendor: Simon.Wilcox
Last updated: 12/11/2010
About Company
Company Name: 
SmoothWall Inc
Number of URLs Company Has Categorized: 
Not Applicable
# of FTE Maintaining Site List: 
Not Applicable
Links to Third Party Reviews: 
SC Magazine - Guardian SWG Appliance: http://www.scmagazineuk.com/guardian-swg-1208/review/3232/
Library References (include Contact Info): 
Additional Comments About Company: 
SmoothWall was the first security vendor to develop intelligent content-based web page analysis, a now-essential technology that has rendered URL-blocklist based filters all but obsolete in the context of today’s dynamic web. The Company’s award winning Guardian web filter uses this real-time intelligent technology to protect millions of users worldwide, protecting end users and networks from undesirable content, while still allowing open access to legitimate online resources. Our solutions can be deployed as hardware, software or virtual appliances to suit differing networks and user environments. The Company also offers a remote web filtering client (Mobile Guardian) designed to safeguard browsing for laptop users.
URL to product: 
Platform and Pricing
Type of Product: 
Network appliance
Type of Product: 
Software appliance
Platforms Supported: 
All major client web browsers supported
Does Company Offer Library Discounts?: 
Yes
Complete Pricing Schedule: 
Filtering Technology
Process for Categorizing a Site: 
Library administrators may categorize lists of sites themselves using a simple web interface. The processes by which SmoothWall categorizes sites vary, some are entirely automatic, and others have human input.
Percentage of Category Decisions Reviewed by Human: 
Variable
Description of Each Content Category with Example URLs: 
Categories Vendor Recommends for CIPA Compliance: 
Granularity of Your Block List: 
Block by IP address
Block by hostname
Block by top level domain
Block to page level
Examples of Each Item Selected Above (Granularity): 
Frequency of Updates to Blocked Site List: 
Minimum Daily
Description of How Updates are Applied: 
Automatically
Block Page Displayed or Blocking Transparent to User: 
Displayed
Additional Comments on Blocking: 
Items that Can Be Included on Block Page (if applicable): 
There is a generic block page
Category causing the block
End user ability to override
Customizable message
Password override
Does filter provide dynamic filtering of pages as they are accessed?: 
Yes
Does content filtering work on a weighted system controlled by administrator: 
No
Describe how dynamic content filter can be changed by administrator, if applicable.: 
Can filter by file type: 
Can block by extension--applies to all categories
Can block by extension within a category
Can block by MIME type--applies to all categories
Can block by MIME type within a category
Can block by protocol--applies to all categories
Can block by protocol within a category
General Administration
Can Have Multiple User/ Filter Profiles: 
Yes
Additional Comments on Filter Profile Options: 
Admin Can Selectively Enable Categories: 
Yes
URLs in Each Content Category Are Viewable: 
Provide URL Lookup: 
Keyword Blocking: 
Admin Can Disable
Admin Can Remove Sites From Category: 
yes
Users Can Recommend URL Recategorization to Company: 
Yes
Admin Can Modify Categorization of URL: 
Yes
Admin Can Add New Categories: 
Yes
Admin Can Add Sites to a Category: 
Yes
Admin Can Block Images But Not Text Within a Category: 
No
Reporting Capabilities: 
300+ Report Templates
Integrates with Directory Service (LDAP, Active Directory or NDS): 
LDAP
Active Directory
NDS
Other
Can import URLs to Always Allow List: 
Can import CSV file of URLs
Number URLs One Can Add to Always Allow List: 
Unlimited
Overriding
Can Filter be Turned off at the Workstation: 
Yes
Describe Process and Options Available for Turning Off Filter at Workstation: 
Administrator Portal
Blocked Page Can Be Overridden by Admin: 
Yes
Describe Process and Options For Overriding a Blocked Page: 
Administrator Portal
Admin Can Turn Filter Off for a Period of Time: 
Yes
Process and Options for Turning off Filter for a Period of Time: 
Administrator Portal
Additional Comments on Overriding Options: 
Internal