Creating Content Filtering Policies

Name

The best practice for naming a policy is to give it something that’s both short and descriptive, covering what the policy is intended to do and who it applies to. We recommend following this naming convention: Block/Allow - Signature/Category - Scope

Type: Website/Category

You can select Signature, Custom List or Website for your policy from the drop-down list. If you are unsure of the Signature of the website you want to block, or the category of the signature you want to block, use the Signature/Category Search.

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 Criteria using the drop-down.

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 and do not 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.

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 and 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. For more information, please read Using Quarantine.

Locked Policy

For Blocked: The Signature/Category is 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 Signature/Category is 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, by using Pause Internet.

Signature/Category

You can select from a predefined list of Signatures or Categories. Signatures are a pattern or fingerprint that School Manager can use to identify a specific website, service, or application. A Category is a collection of Signatures and websites that fit the category.

All websites will have a category (like Social Media, Online Shopping), but not all sites and applications will have a signature (like Facebook, YouTube); signatures are usually only created for very popular sites and applications, or ones that may need special treatment.

See Filtering Using Categories and Signatures for more information.

1. When creating the Policy, type in a Signature, for example, Business and Government
2. Select Signature Business and Government from the list.

Custom List

By using the Object Pools feature, you can create an editable list of domains which is 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 signature/category, 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 signature or category, or it might be uncategorized. In this case, please contact Linewize Support to request a change.

Locked Blocked

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

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

Locked Allowed

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

Prevent users from accidentally blocking networking and internet backbone Signature/Categories.

Blocked

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

Prevent users from accessing content that is generally unacceptable at your school without teacher supervision, such as games or social media.

Allowed

This Signature/Category can be accessed unless another, higher-priority policy is set to Block.

Create exceptions to block policy.