1. School Manager
  2. School Manager
  3. Filtering
  4. Content Filtering

Create Content Filtering Policies

Updated
Qoria Knowledge Team

This article is for Filtering Administrators and IT Support.

Create a Content Filtering Policy

  1. In School Manager, select Filtering > Content Filtering.
  2. You will see your current list of Content Filtering Policies.
  3. To add a new policy, select + Create Policy.
  4. Configure the following settings:
Name
*Required

The best practice for naming a policy is to give it something short and descriptive, covering what it intends to do and who it applies to. We recommend following this naming convention:
Block/Allow - Theme/Category/Signature - Scope
Type
*Required

You can select different types of content for your policy from the drop-down list. If you are unsure of the Theme, Category, or Signature of the website you want to block, use the Category Search.

Info

You can add up to 30 Themes, Categories, and Signatures to a single content filtering policy. If you need to create a policy with more than 30 entries in the Type field, use a Custom List Object Pool.

Type: Select Criteria
This will define to whom the policy will apply. Using this feature, you can fine-tune the level of control by including or excluding different criteria. Select a Criterion using the drop-down.

Caution

If you select multiple criteria for a Policy, it will make an AND Policy. For example, If you select a Group and Network criteria for a policy, the policy would only apply to users in the selected group and on the IP subnet.

Warning

Do not select these options from the filtering Type unless instructed by the Linewize support team:

  • All HTTP/HTTPS Traffic
  • HTTP Traffic via DirectIP
  • All Traffic
  • Unclassified Traffic

These types are only applied by your Linewize Deployment or Support team to configure filtering for Linewize appliances and connections to your physical network.

Note

IPV6 is not supported for filtering at this time. IPV4 is required for network-based filtering criteria.

Actions (Policy Types)
At the most basic level, School Manager allows you to create four types of Content Filtering Policies or actions.
Redirect & Redirect URL

This option only applies to a Block policy.

You can redirect the user to your chosen URL when they conflict with a policy. Enter the domain and subdomain.

  • For Chromebooks: Do not include the leading "https://"
  • For Windows and macOS: Include the leading "https://"

Be sure to test the redirect to see if it requires a leading "www". Some web servers may not have their DNS record set up to recognize a redirect to the root domain.

Info

You cannot enable this if you have enabled a Block page for this policy.

Blocked Page

This option only applies to a Block policy.

You can enable a Block page when a user conflicts with a policy

You can use the default block page or create your own.

Alert

This option only applies to a Block policy.

Enable this feature to receive filtering alerts. You will also need to configure the Emailed Reports section. Go to Filtering > Reports and Alerts.

Quarantine

This option only applies to a Block policy with a Linewize Appliance.

This should only be used when Blocking a Proxies & VPNs Signature. This feature allows you to temporarily block users attempting to access this content from all internet traffic for 3 minutes.

Locked Policy

For Blocked: The Theme, Category and Signature are Blocked and can’t be accessed, even if another Policy is set to Allow. Teachers using Classwize can’t override this by using a bypass code, classroom rule or reward.

For Allowed: The Theme, Category and Signature are Allowed and can always be accessed, even if another Policy is set to Block. Teachers using Classwize can’t override this by creating a block or focus rule but can temporarily block access to all internet traffic, including Locked Allowed sites, using Pause Internet.

Custom Headers

This option only applies to an Allow policy.

You can limit access to personal Gmail, Google Workspace, Microsoft Entra ID, or Outlook accounts when Connect runs on specific devices. For more information, see limiting access to Google personal accounts.

  1. Select Save Policy.

Tip

To give teachers the most autonomy in managing their classes, it is recommended only to Lock those policies that absolutely must be blocked or allowed.

 

About Filtering Different Types of Content

Type Description Instructions
Theme, Category and Signature

You can select from a predefined list of Themes, Categories and Signatures.

See Filtering using Themes, Categories and Signatures for more information.

Info

You can add up to 30 Themes, Categories, and Signatures to a single content filtering policy. If you need to create a policy with more than 30 entries in the Type field, use a Custom List Object Pool.
  1. When creating the Policy, type in a Theme, for example, Business and Government
  2. Select Signature PayPal from the list.
Custom List Using the Object Pools feature, you can create an editable list of domains called an Object Pool or Custom List.
  1. Select Configuration > Objects > Pools
  2. Create a Block List Domains Object Pool and add websites to this list.
  3. When creating the Policy, search for the Block List Domains
  4. Select Custom Website List - Block List Domains from the list.
Website You can enter individual domain names.
  1. When creating the Policy, type in a domain name, for example, facebook.com
  2. Select the suggested Theme, Category or Signature, for example, Facebook, or select Website facebook.com from the list.

Info

If no suggestions appear when typing in a domain or URL, it may not be included in any existing Theme, Category, or Signature or may be uncategorized. In this case, please contact Linewize Support to request a change.

 

About Policy Types in Actions

Policy Description Primary Use
Locked Blocked

The Theme, Category, or Signature is Blocked and can’t be accessed, even if another Policy is set to Allow.

Warning

You cannot override this using Bypass Codes, Classroom Rules, or Rewards.

 Prevent access to content that is completely unacceptable at your school, such as pornography or violence.
Locked Allowed

The Theme, Category, or Signature is Allowed and can always be accessed, even if another policy is set to Block.

Warning

You cannot override this by using Classroom Rules or Focus.

 Prevent users from accidentally blocking networking and internet backbone Themes, Categories, or Signatures.
Blocked

This Theme, Category, or Signature can’t be accessed unless another, higher-priority policy is set to Allow.

Warning

You can override this using Bypass Codes, Classroom Rules, or Rewards.

 Prevent users from accessing generally unacceptable content at your school without teacher supervision, such as games or social media.
Allowed This Theme, Category, or Signature can be accessed unless another, higher-priority policy is set to Block. Create exceptions to block policy.

 

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