ContentProtect Security Appliance Reviewer's Comments

The same reliable Internet filtering technology that home users have utilized to protect their families is now available in a professional appliance. ContentWatch, the creators of the award winning software NetNanny, has introduced the ContentProtect Security Appliance. ContentProtect Security Appliance comes in three different models protecting 200, 1000 or 5000+ users. This is the best solution to create an effective barrier between your organization and content you deem inappropriate and dangerous on the web.

The new ContentProtect Security Appliance now offers state-of-the-art anti-virus and anti–spyware software in addition to content filtering. One box—one solution—complete protection.

Note: ContentWatch still offers ContentProtect Professional as a software version installed on individual workstations. ContentProtect Professional offers the same web filtering, but does not include anti-virus or anti-spyware functions.

Call ContentWatch 1-877-765-7237 or email appliance@contentwatch.com and learn which professional filtering solution is right for your organization. Mention code 602 for special discounted pricing.

Feature Set:  

After installing the web security solution, as an administrator, you can organize the users into groups and create customized polices that are company-wide, group-based and per individual. For example, you could allow full Internet rights to one group in the company while allowing another group access to only specified websites.  

A unique feature ContentWatch incorporates in their software allows users to login to any computer in an organization’s network. The user’s policies are then applied to that computer.

Furthermore, ContentProtect comes with a typical, preset policy, which would allow you to install the hardware and apply immediate protection without complex configuring.

In addition to web filtering, there are time management features. The administrator can allow users to access the Internet certain times of the day or chosen days of the week. Perhaps the organization wants to limit Internet use to lunch hours; this is possible with ContentProtect. The time management feature is also customizable to the entire company, groups and per individual.

ContentWatch incorporates employees’ Internet activity, time management features and anti-virus/anti-spyware protection into easy-to-read, web-based reports. This means the administrator can access detailed information on their employees’ online activities whenever and wherever he or she wants. Or, receive notifications via email when an employee attempts to violate the Internet policy or an Internet threat presents itself.

The administrator can also configure and adjust filter policies from the web-based console from any computer with an Internet connection.

New to the ContentProtect Security Appliance is anti-virus and anti-spyware software. Now there is no need to install and additional appliance or install anti-virus/anti-spyware software on individual workstations. You can protect your entire organization from all Internet threats through one device.

If a computer within the networks is threatened by spyware or a virus, the administrator will immediately receive an email and the spyware can be removed with a click of a button.

Ease of Use:  

Because the administrator can arrange the organization into groups, modifying the policies for the entire organization, groups or individuals is convenient. Nevertheless, we found the initial setup somewhat awkward; the software wasn’t as intuitive as we had hoped. ContentWatch reported that the interface would soon be improved.

Nonetheless, after spending some time experimenting, we felt comfortable setting up a customized protection plan for our company.    

After setting up ContentProtect, we were pleasantly surprised to see our Internet connection speed wasn’t hindered whatsoever. Our connection was just as before, except with the software in place, the web content was effectively filtered.    

Ease of Installation:  

The ContentProtect Professional Appliance is a self-contained unit that is preconfigured with an operating system as well as Internet filtering software. The unit will fit on any 19” standard rack and has multiple Input/Output ports. It only takes minutes to install.

ContentWatch includes one page of instructions with the device. Our IT department was able to install the device with no problems. If you run into complications during the installation process, you can contact ContentWatch through a toll-free phone number and via email. The first 90 days of support are free.  

The ContentWatch help and support department has remote access to the ContentProtect Security Appliance. If you have technical difficulties, they can see your configurations in real-time and help you solve any issues remotely.

Filtering Effectiveness:  

ContentProtect Security Appliance uses Dynamic Contextual Analysis to filter web content. This is more effective than a simple blacklist because questionable content is constantly added to the web under different URLs and in different languages. The filtering solutions use keywords, incoming links and other criteria to block content. Keywords are in multiple languages including English, Latin, Chinese and Spanish.  

Another advantage to a dynamic blocker is that it can adjust from day to day. For example, an online news source may post a questionable story so the site is blocked. The following day the story changes and the site is once again accessible.

The Dynamic Contextual Analysis criteria are updated daily to include new filtering specifications. You can also choose to “sync now” for immediate updates.  

We found ContentWatch’s filtering methodology to be extremely effective. The software was able to differentiate between similar search terms in which one was prohibited and one wasn’t. We used search terms related to “breast”. The filter blocked all objectionable content but allowed material related to “chicken breast” and so forth. The dynamic filtering will benefit any organization by blocking distasteful content, yet allowing the users to take full advantage of the Internet and the wealth of information it provides. 

We also tested the device based on various criteria, including different languages, and it passed every test we administered at or beyond our expectations.   

The filter policies include a blacklist, whitelist and warnlist. The blacklist is strictly prohibited sites. The whitelist is acceptable websites and the warnlist will warn the user before entering the site. These policies work independently of the filtering and will override filtering criteria. In other words, if a site is deemed ok by the filtering criteria, but is on the blacklist, the user can’t access the site.

The administrator can also choose to allow or block categories of websites for the entire organization, per group or per individual. These categories include games, shopping, gambling, news, etc.    

Summary:  

ContentProtect Security Appliance will successfully enforce Internet policies and protect form anti-virus and anti-spyware at small and large corporations, government agencies and educational institutions. This security solution will keep employees and students on task with comprehensive web filtering and time management features. It also provide detailed reports and a web-based interface so the administrator can evaluate Internet activities and make needed adjustments from anywhere.

Call ContentWatch 1-877-765-7237 or email appliance@contentwatch.com and learn which professional security solution is right for your organization. Mention code 602 for special discounted pricing.