Range/Series Overview

IMPORTANT: This Range/Series overview section describes the range of which this product belongs. Features of different versions might be mentioned and may not apply to the specific product on this page. Please view Specs for specification of product.

Illegal or inappropriate web sites can easily be accessed by any network user with a browser. These same sites are often infected with malware that can be used to steal confidential information and drain employee productivity, as well as put your organization at risk for regulatory non-compliance, funding withdrawal and even criminal liability. An example of these regulatory requirements is that schools and libraries that receive E-Rate funding are required by law to install a content filtering solution that complies with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA).

SonicWall Content Filtering Service (CFS) provides unequaled content filtering enforcement for businesses, educational institutions, libraries and government agencies, as well as distributed public Internet hotspots. Available as a subscription service for all SonicWall TZ, Network Security Appliance (NSA) and E-Class NSA firewalls or as part of a Comprehensive Gateway Security Suite or TotalSecure subscription, SonicWall CFS blocks inappropriate content, reduces organizational liability and increases productivity for organizations of any size.

SonicWall CFS utilizes a comprehensive database of millions of URLs, IP addresses and web sites. Using a high-performance rating and caching architecture, CFS dynamically updates ratings locally on a SonicWall firewall for instantaneous comparison. With CFS, administrators can apply access or denial policies based upon over 59 URL categories, individual or group identity, or time of day.

Features Summary

• Granular content filtering
  It allows the administrator to block or apply bandwidth management to all pre-defined categories or any combination of categories. Administrators can apply User Level Authentication (ULA) and Single Sign-On (SSO) to enforce username and password logon. CFS can block potentially harmful content such as Java, ActiveX, and Cookies, as well as schedule filtering by time of day, such as during school or business hours. CFS also enhances performance by filtering out IM, MP3s, streaming media, freeware and other files that drain bandwidth.
• Dynamically updated rating architecture
  Cross-references all requested web sites against a highly accurate database categorizing millions of URLs, IP addresses and domains. The SonicWall firewall receives ratings in real time, and then compares that rating to the local policy setting. The appliance will then either allow or deny the request, based on the administrator's locally configured policy.
• Easy-to-use web-based management
  It enables flexible policy configuration and complete control over Internet usage. Administrators can enforce multiple custom policies for individual users, groups or specific category types. Local URL filtering controls can allow or deny specific domains or hosts. To block objectionable material more effectively, administrators can also create or customize filtering databases.
• High-performance web caching and rating architecture
  It allows administrators to block sites easily and automatically by category. URL ratings are cached locally on the SonicWall firewall, so that response time for subsequent access of frequently visited sites is only a fraction of a second.
• IP-based HTTPS content filtering
  It allows administrators to control user access to web sites over encrypted HTTPS. HTTPS filtering is based on the categorical rating of inappropriate web site types, such as gambling, online banking, online brokerage and trading, shopping and hacking/proxy avoidance.
• Scalable, cost-effective solution
  It controls content filtering from the SonicWall firewall, eliminating the need for additional hardware or deployment expenditures on a separate dedicated filtering server.

Specification Summary