Chapter 2: Logging And Blocking; Web Access Logging; Instant Messaging, Peer-To-Peer Blocking; How Im And P2P Blocking Works - M86 Security Web Filter HL User Manual

Chapter 2: Logging and Blocking

Web Access Logging

One of the primary functions of the Web Filter is to log the
activity of users on the Internet. Information captured in the
log can be transferred to a reporting application, to be
viewed on a PC monitor or output to a printer.
M86 recommends using the M86 Security Reporter (SR) or
M86 Enterprise Reporter (ER) for generating reports. When
the SR or ER server application is connected to the Web
Filter server, log files from the Web Filter are transferred to
that reporting server application where they are "normal-
ized" and then inserted into a MySQL database. The
reporting server's client application accesses that database
to generate queries and reports.
NOTE: See Appendix E: Configuring the Web Filter for Reporting
for information on configuring the Web Filter and M86 reporting
device.

Instant Messaging, Peer-to-Peer Blocking

The Web Filter has options for blocking and/or logging the
use of Instant Messaging and Peer-to-Peer services, and
makes use of Intelligent Footprint Technology (IFT) for
greatly increasing management and control of these
popular—yet potentially harmful—applications. This section
explains how to set up and use IM and P2P.

How IM and P2P Blocking Works

IM Blocking

Instant Messaging (IM) involves direct connections between
workstations either locally or across the Internet. Using this
M86 S U G
ECURITY SER UIDE
I S
NTRODUCTORY ECTION
C 2: L
HAPTER OGGING AND
B
LOCKING
31