Blocking Internet Sites - NETGEAR DGFV338 ProSafe Reference Manual

DGFV338 ProSafe Wireless ADSL Modem VPN Firewall Router Reference Manual

Blocking Internet Sites

To restrict internal LAN users from access to certain sites on the Internet, you can use the
DGFV338's Web Components filtering and Key Word Blocking. By default, both are disabled; all
requested traffic from any Web site is allowed. When enabled, if users try to access a blocked site,
they see a "Blocked by NETGEAR" message.
• Web Components filtering – You can filter the following Web Component types: Proxy, Java,
ActiveX, and Cookies. For example, by enabling Java filtering, "Java" files will be blocked.
Certain commonly used web components can be blocked for increased security. Some of these
components are can be used by malicious websites to infect computers that access them.
– Proxy – A proxy server (or simply, proxy) allows computers to route connections to other
computers through the proxy, thus circumventing certain firewall rules. For example, if
connections to a specific IP address are blocked by a firewall rule, the requests can be
routed through a proxy that is not blocked by the rule, rendering the restriction ineffective.
Enabling this feature blocks proxy servers.
– Java – Blocks java applets from being downloaded from pages that contain them. Java
applets are small programs embedded in web pages that enable dynamic functionality of
the page. A malicious applet can be used to compromise or infect computers. Enabling this
setting blocks Java applets from being downloaded.
– ActiveX – Similar to Java applets, ActiveX controls install on a Windows computer
running Internet Explorer. A malicious ActiveX control can be used to compromise or
infect computers. Enabling this setting blocks ActiveX applets from being downloaded.
– Cookies – Cookies are used to store session information by websites that usually require
login. However, several websites use cookies to store tracking information and browsing
habits. Enabling this option filters out cookies from being created by a website.
Note: Many websites require that cookies be accepted in order for the site to be
• Keyword Blocking (Domain Name Blocking) – You can specify up to 32 words that, should
they appear in the Web site name (URL) or in a newsgroup name, will cause the site or
newsgroup to be blocked by the wireless firewall.
Security and Firewall Protection
accessed properly. Blocking cookies may cause these websites to not
function properly.
v1.0, May 2008
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