Web Filtering

Internet filtering is the process by which requests for sites on the Internet are inspected and then allowed or denied based on a set of “filtering” criteria. Filtering can either take place at the client or server level. WiscNet offers both centralized and local filtering solutions from the 8E6.Com Company that uses R3000 servers augmented by high-speed Blue Coat web cache servers.

The principal benefits to our members who choose WiscNet’s filtering service are

  • The Internet content is filtered at the server level not at the desktop, so content is filtered before it reaches to the user.
  • The filtering software and lists of sites to block or allow are stored securely on a WiscNet server.
  • WiscNet staff manages the filtering service.
  • WiscNet staff send an e-mail technical support newsletter to our filtering members.
  • Authorized staff at our member sites may customize their filtering configuration (See Local Filtering Options).

Centralized Web Filtering Option

  • Web traffic is routed to central filtering box in Madison via proxy settings.
  • Profile based on site’s NAT IP
  • Site administrator has the ability to customize filtering profile
  • WiscNet staff handles appliance software upgrades, hardware maintenance and assists with ongoing filter customization.

Local Filtering Option
Now you have the option of directly administering filtering for your organization. The easy-to-use web interface lets you block or unblock specific URLs in easy steps, so there’s no need to go through WiscNet Technical Support. Send us a message at filter@wiscnet.net so we can help you get started with locally managed filtering.

Some features of this services include:

  • Filtering box located in your LAN instead of at a shared centralized location.
  • Integration with your LDAP Directory allows you to set profiles for already created LDAP Groups and IDs
  • LDAP Integration allows filtering profiles to follow a user no matter what machine they log in to
  • Blocking Peer-To-Peer Traffic, AOL/MSN Instant Messenger, Kazaa, Bearshare, and more
  • Reporting features allow you to track activity by either IP number, User ID, URL or Category
  • Local Filtering box detects proxy bypass attempts and stops them
  • Local Filtering Plus Logging is an available option but requires an additional hardware upgrade.

Download the MyWiscNet Filtering Manual, email filter@wiscnet.net or call technical support at (608) 265-6761 x.2 for more information.

WiscNet Internet Content Filtering Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can you meet your CIPA requirements and preserve E-rate funding?
A: Click here to read more about CIPA’s “Undertaking Action” requirement.

Q: How can you order and activate Internet Filtering?
A:  See below.

  • Download the WiscNet Member Filtering Manual and the appropriate Filtering Agreement (see below).
  • Sign and return the Filtering Agreement.
  • Both your configuration of Web Browsers and WiscNet configuration of your router need to be completed in coordination with the date you want filtering to begin.

Q: How can I learn more about filtering?
A: See below.

  • Download the WiscNet Member Filtering Manual!
  • WiscNet Filtering Manual (385 kb, PDF)
  • WiscNet Filtering Agreement for City Governments
  • WiscNet Filtering Agreement for County Governments
  • WiscNet Filtering Agreement for Libraries
  • WiscNet Filtering Agreement for Schools
  • WiscNet Local Filtering Services Memo of Understanding

For your convenience, the WiscNet web filtering service documentation is packaged as a pdf file. If you do not have a copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader, please download a copy at Adobe’s website.

Filtering Service Manual (Link PDF)
WiscNet Local Filtering Service Agreement (Link PDF)
WiscNet Central Filtering Service Agreement (Link PDF)

The WiscNet Filtering Policy

Filtering’s Challenges
Given the cultural, economic and psychological incentives that compel people to offer illicit content and to modify software to defeat filtering measures, WiscNet cannot offer a simple, perfect, plug-and-play content filtering solution. We do not expect to offer such a solution in the foreseeable future. We do provide a proven, well-engineered “technological protection measure” that focuses the best efforts of many people to responsibly address content filtering. As such, our filtering service will help our members comply with filtering’s newest challenge: the federal Children’s Internet Protection Act and its requirement that to receive E-Rate subsidy funding, schools and libraries must filter Internet content.

Filtering Is a Service and a Process
Internet content filtering requires ongoing vigilance and mutual effort by staff in our member organizations and at WiscNet. To guide this effort, this document sets out a policy for WiscNet staff and recommendations to our members. This mutual process only just begins when a member installs our filtering service. No content filtering service, including ours, acts as magical filtering dust: all require our time, expertise and flexibility to deal with the significant, ongoing challenges that filtering tries to address. To achieve effective Internet content filtering for WiscNet members, we all must perform our roles in a dynamic, difficult process.

Mutual Roles and Responsibilities

It is our policy that WiscNet staff will:

  • Operate a filtering service that permits our members to comply with local community standards and certify compliance with applicable State and Federal law.
  • Provide our members with the means to control filtering locally (e.g., select blocked content categories; add website to blocking database).
  • Aid with interfacing the filtering service to members’ networks and services.
  • Use a current, authoritative database of blocked sites and services.
  • Respond efficiently to our members’ detection of inappropriate sites and services
  • Educate our members about the challenges that content filtering entails.

To effectively use our filtering service, we recommend that the responsible staff at our member sites:

  • Supervise students’ access to filtered computers.
  • Disseminate widely and enforce rigorously an Appropriate Use Policy for faculty, staff, students and patrons.
  • Guard filtered computers and network resources against inappropriate compromise of filtering measures (e.g., workstation logging; regular audits).
  • Educate officials, parents, patrons and other stakeholders about the challenges that content filtering entails.

Issue Date: 04/30/01