When you use the Diagnostics page, Filter Mode should show as Mode 2.
What are the different Filter Modes?
Mode 1
Smoothwall uses Mode 1 as the backup filtering mode until it has enough information to apply Mode 2.
Note
- Mode 1 for the Cloud Filter Extension works differently from Mode 1 for the Smoothwall Browser and Android Filter App, so blocked websites may vary.
- Real-time content filtering doesn’t apply to devices using the Android Filter App in either Filter Mode.
While in Mode 1:
- Smoothwall can’t apply any Web Filter Policies.
- Users aren’t authenticated, so activity isn’t tracked or logged, and won’t generate Safeguarding Alerts.
- Smoothwall applies limited filtering to block these categories:
-
Adult Mixed Content
Note
This category appears as either ‘Adult Sites’ or ‘Restricted to Adults’ on the Block page when devices are in Mode 1.
-
Child Abuse
Note
This includes the IWF NPI and CSAM lists.
- Gambling
- Image Hosting: Unmoderated
- Intolerance
- Pornography
- Self Harm
-
Terrorism
Note
This includes the CTIRU list.
- Web Proxies
-
Mode 2
While in Mode 2:
- Users are authenticated, allowing activity to be tracked and logged, and Safeguarding Alerts to be generated.
- Smoothwall filters websites and content using your Web Filter Policies, alongside URL and domain, Real-time content and Search term filtering.
- Additionally, it blocks the IWF CSAM and NPI URL lists, which can’t be overridden by Allow Web Filter Policies.
What do we do if Mode 1 shows?
Devices can take up to approximately 30 seconds to download and apply the latest Blocklist. If the Diagnostics page continues to show Mode 1, contact Smoothwall Support.