How to Filter Entire HTTPS Websites | CurrentWare BrowseControl

When it comes to web filtering, both HTTP and HTTPS filtering are essential to a web filter. For many years, BrowseControl has given administrators the ability to restrict both HTTP and HTTPS websites.

Some administrators use BrowseControl with Internet OFF with an Allowed list. In this particular scenario, if the administrator is allowing an HTTPS website, he/she can only allow the entire HTTPS domain. For example, the only way to allow a specific YouTube video page is to allow the entire Youtube.com domain.

Our developers have worked very hard to come up with a new method for HTTPS filtering. With the introduction of HTTPS Filtering Advanced mode in version 5.2.0, we have overcome this challenge.

From this version onward, you will be able to use BrowseControl’s HTTPS filter to allow specific subdirectories within a website.

Enhancing other features
When you enable HTTPS Filtering Advanced mode, the “display warning message” and “download filter” feature will work on HTTPS websites.

Here are four examples on how you can start using the new HTTPS Filtering Advanced mode feature:

Example #1 – Allowing your employees to view specific Youtube videos only

This restriction will allow an employee to watch only the youtube videos that you’re allowing. They will not be able to browse any other videos that are not on the allowed list. It is perfect for allowing company training videos.

Internet: OFF
or
Blocked Category: Social Network

HTTPS Filtering: Advanced

Add the following entries to your Allowed list – to allow a specific CurrentWare video only

• Youtube.com/watch?v=00_OPLuaGy8&t
• Googlevideo.com

Example #2 – Allowing your employees to manage a specific Facebook company page

This restriction will allow an employee to login and publish data only to their company’s facebook page. They will not be able to browse their personal Facebook feed or any other Facebook pages.

Internet: OFF
or
Blocked Category: Social Network

HTTPS Filtering: Advanced

Add the following entries to your Allowed list:

• Facebook.com/COMPANY-URL
• 1e100.net
• Facebook.net
• Fbcdn.net
• Staticxx.facebook.com

Example #3 – Allowing Google’s Recaptcha to run without having to allow the entire Google domain

Some websites can only submit form data after you acknowledge Google’s recaptcha. This method will allow the recaptcha option to load without allowing the entire Google domain.

Internet: OFF
or
Blocked Category: Search Engine

HTTPS Filtering: Advanced

Add the following entries to your Allowed list:

• Google.com/recaptcha/

Example #4 – Blocking specific Keywords in Google search

Giving your employee free roam on Google search can be dangerous. Block your employees from searching specific keywords.

Internet ON

HTTPS Filtering: Advanced

Add the following entries to your Blocked list:

• google.com/search?q=xxxx
• q=gun
• q=sex
• q=keyword