Chapter 2: Logging And Blocking; Web Access Logging; Instant Messaging, Peer-To-Peer Blocking; How Im And P2P Blocking Works - M86 Security M86 Web Filter 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 appliance, to be viewed
on a PC monitor or output to a printer.
M86 recommends using the M86 Enterprise Reporter (ER)
for generating reports. When the ER server application is
connected to the Web Filter server, log files from the Web
Filter are transferred to the ER server application where
they are "normalized" and then inserted into a MySQL data-
base. The ER client reporting application accesses that
database to generate queries and reports.
NOTE: See Appendix E: Configuring the Web Filter for ER
Reporting for information on configuring the Web Filter and ER.

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
feature of the Web Filter, groups and/or individual client
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