Smoothwall filters web content using Built-in and Custom Categories in the What section of Web Filtering and HTTPS Inspection (On-Premise Appliance) policies.
Built-in Categories
Built-in Categories are available on every Smoothwall Cloud and On-Premise Appliance and are maintained by Smoothwall.
Note
You should create a Custom Category instead of editing Built-in Categories in On-Premise Appliance. You can’t edit Built-in Categories in Cloud Filter.
Custom Categories
Use the Blocklist Feedback form to inform us about content that is not in a Built-in Category. If the content can't be added to a Built-in Category, we’ll advise you to create a Custom Category for filtering.
Custom Categories are unique to your Smoothwall and must be maintained by you.
For example, you may need to create a custom category to:
- Allow web-enabled network appliances, like VoIP phones or wireless LAN (WLAN) equipment.
- Provide an exception to filtering policies. For example, you may block the 'News' category but add Mylocalpaper.com to a custom category to allow access to that site.
What can we block and allow using Custom Categories?
The table below outlines what can be added to a Custom Category.
| Feature | Used for |
| Domains/URLs | Block or allow access to websites, subdomains and Top Level Domains (TLDs). Full details: URL or domain filtering |
| Search Terms | Block or allow searching for specific words or phrases. Full details: Search term filtering |
| Videos | Block or allow access to videos and playlists. Full details: Video filtering |
| (On-Premise Appliance only) URL Patterns |
Allows or blocks regular expressions to match domains/subdomains or URL strings. Use a PERL-compatible regular expression per line. For example, adultsite|gambling looks for URLs containing either the word adultsite or gambling.
|
| (On-Premise Appliance only) File Types |
Allows or blocks specific file extensions. Enter the File types or file name extensions, one per line. You must include the dot, such as .doc. |