Unparalleled Accuracy with the iGuard Database
iPrism Web Filter is the only Internet filtering solution on the market that uses a one-hundred percent human-reviewed database, known as iGuard. This means that each site rated by iGuard has a higher degree of accuracy when compared to heuristic analysis or blended classification technologies, resulting in better enforcement of your acceptable use policy and increased ability to mitigate risks.
Flexible Policy Creation
iPrism Web Filter lets administrators create policies based on website category, user, and time of day providing very fine-grained control over web access by end-users. This flexibility is necessary to balance your company's need to regulate bandwidth and acceptable use against users' desires. "Video snacking" is the name of the new phenomenon where employees will eat lunch at their desks and watch videos online. iPrism lets administrators allow this without letting it become an all-day problem.
Over 80 Categories for Maximum Flexibility
iGuard categorizes sites into more than 80 groups and allows the creation of custom categories for flexible policy setting. You receive daily database updates and hourly updates on sites that contain spyware, malware, and phishing. In addition to the typical categories for restricting access to adult content, gambling, dating and the like, iGuard also categorizes Anonymizer websites, so users can't avoid policy enforcement through anonymous surfing; malware sites, to keep users from having their computers infected; and web-based email and IM sites so you can control personal email and IM use, if necessary.
Automated Rating Protocol and SafeSearch
iPrism Automated Rating Protocol (iARP), sends your organization's most frequently accessed unrated URLs directly to the iGuard analyst team at EdgeWave where they can be categorized and added to your database in order to create local filters. This not only further refines the filtering process, it can also reduce management costs. SafeSearch blocks thumbnail images on Google searches, an important consideration for schools where students need protection or any organization wanting to avoid the legal ramifications of objectionable Web images in the workplace.
Automatic Updates Keep you Secure
iPrism keeps your organization protected from new URLs by sending updates to your database automatically every day. The critical Security category covering spyware, malware and phishing is updated hourly.
Filtering Categories:
The following categories (long descriptions) are maintained in the iGuard database.
| Level-1 Category | Level-2 Category | Level-2 Description |
|---|---|---|
| Questionable | Copyright Infringement | This category refers to sites that offer media, software, MP3, DVD movies or any other copyrighted materials that are bootlegged or illegally available for purchase or download. This category is often blocked to protect iPrism owners from liability caused by the download and installation of bootlegged software. Note that this category does not refer to sites that are specific to computer hacking. |
| Computer Hacking | This category refers to any site promoting questionable or illegal use of equipment and/or software to crack passwords, create viruses, gain access to other computers, and so on. This includes any site that offers instruction on how to hack as well. This does not include legitimate security information sites that are focused on the prevention of hacking. | |
| Intolerance/ Extremism | This category refers to any site advocating militant activities or extremism. This includes groups with extreme political views and intolerance to individuals and/or groups based upon discriminating or racial distinction. | |
| Questionable | This category refers to sites that are considered questionable in nature and may involve illegal activities, but do not fall under another, more specific "questionable" category. These are sites that could contain information about conspiracy, scams or any other suspected fraudulent behavior or activity. | |
| Profanity | This category refers to any site that contains profanity of any kind that is NOT classified under the SEX category. These are sites that have language that would not be permitted in common social situations. This may include swearing, blasphemy, vulgarity or any dialog with malicious intent. It should be noted that this category should also contain sites with language that implies profanity like some jokes, poems, letters, greeting cards, etc. | |
| Tasteless | This category refers to sites that contain information on subjects such as mutilation, torture, horror, grotesque or any behavior that may be considered inappropriate for public audience. This will not include pornography, nudity, or sites dealing with sexuality, which have their own specific classifications. | |
| Weapons/Bombs | This category refers to any site promoting the use of weapons and/or bombs and the making of bombs. This does not include sites related to gun control (social issues). | |
| Violence | This category refers to sites that contain visual representations of or invitations to participate in violent acts. This may include war, crime, pranks, hazing, etc. A violent act may be considered any activity that uses physical force designed to injure another living being. | |
| Mature Humor | This category refers to any site that contains mature themes and humor that may not be suitable for children, but do not contain pornography or strong profanity. These sites may contain a limited amount of "PG-13" profanity without a profanity rating. | |
| Anonymizer | This category refers to sites that allow the user to surf the net anonymously. It also refers to sites that allow the user to send anonymous emails. This also includes sites providing proxy bypass information or services. |
| Level-1 Category | Level-2 Category | Level-2 Description |
|---|---|---|
| Society | Alt/New Age | This category refers to any site relating to
the advocacy and/or information pertaining
to the occult (i.e.. witchcraft, voodoo,
black arts) astrology, ESP or similar forms
of telepathy, fortune telling, out-of-body
experience, magic, spirituality, and UFOs.
Note that common horoscopes found in daily
newspapers are not a part of this category.
Any site that relates to new age meditation
practices or the study of new age principles
should be included in this category.
Note: Occult will be defined as anything pertaining to any system claiming use or knowledge of secret or supernatural powers or agencies. |
| Art/Culture | This category refers to any site relating to the arts or culture. Culture includes the beliefs, customs, practices, and social behavior of a particular nation or people. The arts include the creation of beautiful or thought-provoking works, for example, in paintings, pictures, drawings, or writings. Sites falling into this category include virtual art galleries, museums, architecture, contemporary and fine art. | |
| Government | This category refers to any site that is associated with governments and/or their militaries. This includes federal, state, county, city and local governments as well as any government agency. This does not include general information about a specific geographical location (state, city, etc) - these sites should be classified as Travel. A strong indication is a domain identifier of either "gov" or "mil". | |
| Politics | This category refers to any site that is associated with political advocacy of any type or the opinions of the government. This includes any site promoting or containing information on any political party, pro or con. This includes registered and officially recognized political parties. Sites that inform or promote an election of any political office receive this rating. It does not include official government sites. | |
| News | This category refers to any site that is associated with online newspapers, headline news sites, news wiring services, personalized news services and mainstream publications. Some online magazines will be given this rating along with another (i.e. www.wired.com will be news and Science & Tech). This does not include Usenet (classified as discussion forums). | |
| Classifieds | Sites that offer and advertise ads for barter or sale of merchandise or services. | |
| Religion | This category refers to any site that pertains to mainstream religions, religious activities or participation. This includes information relating to any common religious organization. This is a stand-alone category. | |
| Cult | This category refers to any site that advocates or discusses information relating to the use of or membership in cults. Cults are defined as a group or movement exhibiting great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea or thing. Cults employ unethical, manipulative or coercive techniques of persuasion and control designed to advance the goals of the group leaders, to the detriment of the members, their families or the community. Sites that relate to the practice or advocacy of common religions do not belong here as well as any site that serves to educate on the perils of cult activity. | |
| Alternative Lifestyle | Sites that contain information relating to gay, lesbian or bisexual lifestyles. This excludes sites that are about social issues or contain sexual content. Sites that promote the lifestyle but are of business or professional nature are not included in this category. |
| Level-1 Category | Level-2 Category | Level-2 Description |
|---|---|---|
| Social Issues | Social issues | This category refers to any site that that contains information regarding issues that are considered controversial by a society. Examples of these are site that provide information on abortion, euthanasia, gun control, drug legalization, suicide, immigration, civil/human rights and gay (or anti-gay) sites. |
| Family Issues | This category refers to any site that deals with issues specific to the family, including divorce, adoption, parenting, marriage, domestic violence, child abuse, father's rights, child custody, incest and fertility. Also included in this category are sites that offer counseling to the above examples. |
| Level-1 Category | Level-2 Category | Level-2 Description |
|---|---|---|
| Business | Specialized Shopping | This category refers to any site that sells a specific item(s) or product(s) that can be purchased using the Internet or telephone with minimal effort using information on the site. This rating is sometimes accompanied by another rating depending on the subject matter of the items sold. |
| Dining/Restaurant | Sites that list, review, promote, market or advertise food service and eating establishments. Included are catering services, dining guides and recipes. | |
| Real Estate | Information or services related to buying/selling, renting or financing property. | |
| Automotive | Sites that offer repair, maintenance, parts, sale or other services. | |
| Internet Services | Site that offer services to assist in internet communication. | |
| Corporate Marketing | This category refers to any site that offers corporate info and product information, but does not specifically sell their products online. | |
| Finance | This category refers to any site that provides investment information, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, newsletters, tips, and firms that offers these services (including banks). | |
| Job/Employment Search | This category refers to sites that provide jobs or employment services. Includes temp agencies, career resources and resume services. Corporate sites containing a "Jobs" section should have the specific jobs area classified in this category. | |
| Professional Services | This category refers to business related sites that include technical and professional services. Normally these businesses sell a service such as legal or consulting rather than a product. This excludes professional sites relating to health (doctors, hospitals, etc) that should be classified as "Health." | |
| Online Auctions | This category refers to sites that involve participating in online auctions, where the site visitor can bid on various items. |
| Level-1 Category | Level-2 Category | Level-2 Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sex | Adult Themes | This category refers to sites that are adult in nature and are not defined in other rating categories. Sites that have adult themes are those that are associated with the following concepts: Adult oriented entertainment not defined as Porn, sale of penis enlargement products, erectile dysfunction products, online pharmacies, and mail order brides. These sites are usually intended for mature persons. |
| Social Networking/ Dating | Sites that offer free or paid services that promote interaction, dating or other networking through forums, chat, email or other methods. | |
| Lingerie/Bikini | This category refers to sites displaying or dedicated to bikini or lingerie that could be considered for adults only. Sites about modeling would not be included in this area. | |
| Nudity | This category refers to sites that provide images or representations of nudity. They may be in any artistic or non-artistic form like magazines, pictures, paintings, sculptures, etc. This category should be assigned to those sites that display both partial and full nudity but the images are not pornographic in nature. | |
| Pornography | This category covers anything relating to pornography, including mild depiction, soft pornography and hard-core pornography. Pornography pertains to writings, photographs, movies, etc. intended to arouse sexual excitement. Also, any site offering memberships that may provide access to other pornographic sites will fit into this category. | |
| Sexuality | This category contains sites that provide
information, images or implications of body
piercing, tattoos and any form of body art.
Sites not in this category are those that
contain images or information about sexual
acts as discussed in the Pornography and
Nudity categories.
Note: This category implies adult content in nature; therefore a rating of 'Adult' and 'Sexuality' is not necessary. |
| Level-1 Category | Level-2 Category | Level-2 Description |
|---|---|---|
| Health | Alcohol/Tobacco | This category refers to sites that support the use of alcohol and tobacco products. They may be commercial sites, such as Philips Morris and Anheuser Busch, or sites that support the use of alcohol and tobacco related products. This category does not refer to sites that contain educational info about the hazards of alcohol and tobacco products. |
| Drugs | This category refers to sites associated with the use, legalization or advocacy of illegal drugs and the illegal use of prescription drugs. Exempt from this category are sites that attempt to relay educational information about the dangers of drug use and sites relating to the products of pharmaceutical companies (should be classified as "Health"). | |
| Health | This category refers to sites that claim to improve an individual's well being either medically, organically or through support. | |
| Adult Sex Education | This category refers to sites that provide sexual education information to anyone who has graduated from high school. Topics would include how to put on a condom, masturbation and other adult topics such as orgasm and ejaculation. Topics that are dealt with in the adult themes category or sexuality category would not be covered here. | |
| K-12 Sex Education | This category refers to sites that are
associated with sex education of children.
This includes sites that offer information
about sex, AIDS, sexually transmitted
diseases, human reproduction,
contraceptives, medical research or any
other sexually oriented material used to
educate. Information within these sites may
be minimal in nature as in technical
journals, dictionaries, encyclopedias or
other reference materials. Sites may also
display subtle images or graphics showing
sexual organs.
Note: If a site is rated as 'K-12 Sex Education', it must not have any other rating. |
| Level-1 Category | Level-2 Category | Level-2 Description |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation | Entertainment | This category refers to sites associated with passive activities - meaning visitors are looking for "sit back and entertain me" sites such as those dealing with theatre, online comics, anime, amusement parks, clubs, etc. |
| Gambling | This category refers to any site that presents information about gambling for the purpose of advocating its practice. These sites can provide instruction on any gaming activity that involves gambling or provide actual on-line gambling. Sites that attempt to educate the public on the dangers and/or cures for gambling problems do not belong in this category. | |
| Games | This category refers to any site that is associated with traditional board games, role-playing games and pursuits. This includes sites that promote game makers (Mattel), electronic games, video games, computer games or online games. This category includes both game hardware & software. Also included are tips, advice and cheat codes on playing computer/Internet based games and web sites hosting games and contests. | |
| Hobbies/Leisure | This category refers to any site associated with the non-competitive active pursuits or interests outside one's regular occupation or an activity engaged in for pleasure and relaxation during spare time. This would include pet lover sites, sewing, model building/making, woodcarving, stamp/coin collecting, mountain biking, hiking, etc. Note that sites dealing with competitive pursuits should be considered as sports. | |
| Television/Movies | Sites that promote or provide content
relating to television programming or
movies.
Note: Sites that contain streaming media or downloadable files such as previews or trailers should include the rating of digital media. |
|
| Music | Sites that promote music for entertainment
purposes relating to bands, concerts,
festivals, orchestras, symphonies and disc
jockeys.
Note: Sites that provide mp3, streaming or other downloadable media will also be rated digital media. |
|
| Digital Media | Digital audio, video and other technologies that can be accessible to stream, download or share. | |
| Radio Stations | Sites whose purpose is to provide and/or promote music, talk or sports radio. These sites have live streams and/or archived listening available. | |
| Special Interests | Interest groups/clubs that include environmental, worker, social, and philanthropic organizations. These include alumni associations and all non-profit organizations. | |
| Sports | This category refers to any site that contains information about sports or sports related activities. This includes sites that provide sports scores or games. These sites may also contain information about sporting events, camps, teams or outings. Sports are defined as organized and competitive athletics. | |
| Travel | This category refers to sites specializing in travel and travel-related information or activities. This includes travel destinations, reservation services, discount travel listings, leisure travel package listings, and special events in various cities. Also included are sightseeing guides, airlines and online flight booking agencies, accommodations and rental cars. Additional items such as chamber of commerce or non-government information pertaining to a given city or region can also be assigned this category. | |
| Web Log (Blog) | Journals, diaries or newsletters that can be updated daily usually involving personal thoughts/opinions on internet, social or political issues. Other categories can be added to further classify. |
| Level-1 Category | Level-2 Category | Level-2 Description |
|---|---|---|
| Internet (web) | Discussion Forums | This category refers to sites dedicates to Usenet, Usenet news, forums, newsgroups, online bulletin board system. |
| Online Chat | This category refers to any site that offers access to, software for or participation in any Internet chat forum. The notion of chat should be associated with any online conversation involving at least two people that takes place in real time. If a site offers chat as one of it's services, then the exact location where chat is taking place will be rated as 'Chat'. | |
| Translators | This category refers to any site that offers the service of translating a page, URL, or phrase into various different languages. | |
| Image Host | Sites that provide image hosting, linking and/or sharing. This includes videos and pictures. | |
| File Host | Sites that offer hosting, backup and sharing of files on the internet. | |
| Peer to Peer | Sites that provide client software to enable peer-to-peer file sharing and transfer. | |
| Email Host | Sites that provide email accounts, free or otherwise. | |
| Shareware Download | This category refers to sites that specialize in the downloading of *legal* software. | |
| Web Banners | This category refers to sites that provide service links/ banners/ ads for web sites. This could also include redirect services. | |
| Web Host | This category refers to sites that offer web
hosting services, free or otherwise. These
sites would usually offer domain names and
web spaces to host end-user web pages.
Note: Sites that offer web hosting as one of their services would get rated as web host only at the location where actual web hosting is taken place. |
|
| Web Search | This category refers to sites that specialize or offer a Web search engine. Sites containing links to other search engines or site-specific search functionality do not qualify for this rating. | |
| Portals | Sites that offer multiple web based services to assist a users experience on the internet. |
| Level-1 Category | Level-2 Category | Level-2 Description |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Continuing Education/Colleges | This category refers to sites that contain institutions/colleges offering formal course studies for adults. College homepages will fall into this category as well as distance education, degree programs for part time students, vocation and adult education. |
| History | This category refers to sites that offer a systematic, written and methodical record of past events. These events are arranged as to show the connection of causes and effects, to give an analysis of motive and action, etc. | |
| K-12 | This category refers to sites dealing with the education of children. Also included in this category are sites with the identifier of "K12" (Kindergarten through 12th grade) in the URL. Preschools and day care centers also qualify for this rating. | |
| Reference Sites | This category refers to site specifically dedicated to providing a research method on one or more subject matters. | |
| Science/Tech | This category refers to sites that relate specifically to education in Science and Technology. Also included in this category are sites relating to education with emphasis on computers, astronomy, programming, physics, etc. | |
| Safe Search Engine | This category refers to any search site that is specifically targeted toward families and children. Safe search engines will not allow the child or family member to search for pornography. |
| Level-1 Category | Level-2 Category | Level-2 Description |
|---|---|---|
| Security | Phishing | Deceptive websites that trick end-users into revealing personal data such as credit card numbers, account usernames, passwords, social security numbers, etc. These websites pretend to be those of common, well-known sites such as banks and credit card companies. |
| Spyware/Adware | Websites that are known to distribute or contain code that displays unwanted advertisements or gathers information about the user without the users knowledge. This information is oftentimes relayed to advertisers or other 3rd parties. | |
| Malware | Websites that are known to contain harmful code that may modify a users system without the users knowledge. |
iPrism OEM SDK:
EdgeWave is pleased to announce that the iPrism award-winning iGuard database is now available as an OEM software development kit (SDK) for companies requiring a fast URL rating engine. With iGuard's proven technology and EdgeWave's stellar technical support, you can easily integrate the iPrism iGuard SDK into a variety of environments:
- Security Gateways
- Hosted Services
- Security Software Solutions and more
iGuard Delivers a Powerful URL Engine
The iPrism iGuard URL database is the engine that powers
our award-winning Web Filter. Its outstanding features
can enhance your security products and save you the
time and costs associated with developing and maintaining
your own URL database:
- iGuard is the only database on the market that is 100% human-reviewed, giving it the highest degree of accuracy possible
- Its excellent interoperability allows iGuard to integrate with virtually any OS. No matter what architecture you are using, we can support you
- The SDK gives you URL ratings on the fly with the updated databases delivered daily (hourly for security categories) from our data centers located in California and on the East Coast
- The cost of maintaining a URL database is high and requires special skills. The iGuard database has been maintained for 10 years and includes over 80 categories. This comprehensive URL database can be easily integrated into any appliance using the iPrism OEM SDK.
iARP™ - Automated Rating Protocol:
The iPrism Web Filter offers you the opportunity to increase the relevancy of your filtering efforts by adding unfiltered URLS to your database, automatically. iPrism's proprietary Automated Rating Protocol (iARP™) feature takes the 100 unrated URLS most frequently accessed by your employees and sends them to the iGuard team where they are analyzed, categorized and returned to your iPrism Web Filter with your daily or hourly database updates.
This unique feature provides added protection for your organization:
- iARP customizes the iGuard database for your organization by adding the unfiltered URLs employees use every day
- It allows you to add URLs automatically, eliminating the need to manually submit URLs you want to include in your database
- Insures that if a site cannot be rated using iARP, your administrator can rate it using Filter Manager
iARP is easy to use:
- Your iPrism automatically submits the top 100 URLS that are currently unrated to the iGuard team. If you have multiple iPrisms, there will be a top 100 from each one depending on where they located.
- Your iPrism administrator is emailed the list of URLs as they are sent to iGuard
- After the list has been reviewed and categorized by iGuard, it is emailed back to the iPrism administrator so that you always know what sites are being added
- The newly rated URLs are sent to your iPrism as part of your automatic database update
- If a site cannot be rated by the iGuard team, a notice is sent and your iPrism administrator can rate it using Filter Manager