Information About

Websense




  Company Type Web Filtering and Information Leak Prevention
  Foundation 1994
  Location San Diego , California
  Key People Phil Trubey, founder
  Homepage http://wwwwebsensecom


Websense is a San Diego, California -based company which produces web filtering software, also known as Internet Content-control Software of the same name. The blockage created by this software has led to the creation of the word "websensed". The company also provides customers with Information Leak Prevention software, technology the company acquired in January 2007 from PortAuthority Technologies. While it is aimed at businesses and other large entities (such as governments, for their employees), it also sees use in Libraries and Schools . It has come under criticism from civil liberties groups on grounds that it restricts the free flow of speech. The company was founded by Phil Trubey in 1994.[http://www.sdmitforum.org/Events/showbio.cfm?pre_id=10


WEBSENSE CATEGORIES

Websense is designed to allow system administrators to block access to web sites (and other protocols) based on categories. These categories contain lists of sites that can be blocked. Separate categories can be blocked at all times or only during certain times of the day. The software also allows organizations to offer a "continue button," which allows users to go to a blocked category if it is work related. {Link without Title}


More categories can be filtered for an extra fee including:
  • Keyloggers

  • Phishing and Other Frauds

  • Potentially Unwanted Software (defined as "Sites that use technologies that alter the operation of the user's hardware, software, or network in ways that diminish control over the user experience, privacy, or the collection and distribution of personal information."

  • Spyware


System administrators can also set up custom categories, which allows the administrator to block websites that they deem inappropriate if they do not want to block the website's entire category.


WEBSENSE THREATSEEKER TECHNOLOGY

In October 2006, Websense publicly unveiled its ThreatSeeker technology, which scans approximately 600 million websites per week to find security threats on the Internet. The technology powers its Websense Security Suite software.[http://www.websense.com/global/en/PressRoom/PressReleases/PressReleaseDetail/?Release=0610311310]. In Feb. 2007, Websense used its ThreatSeeker technology to discover that a Super Bowl web site was compromised with malicious code. [http://www.websense.com/global/en/PressRoom/PressReleases/PressReleaseDetail/?Release=0702021352]


CRITICISM

Some anti-censorship groups and human rights organisations claim that Websense is censoring free speech in countries with limited civil liberties. {Link without Title} . Websense can also be seen as discriminatory for blocking categories such as education, health, and homosexual lifestyle sites.

According to the OpenNet Initiative , Websense is used by according to Amnesty International [http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGASA170012004].


SEE ALSO



EXTERNAL LINKS

  • Official homepage

  • Critical webpage Peacefire.org has not tested Websense since November 2001 according to this page so their criticisms may be outdated. (Blocked by Websense / Proxy avoidance)

  • Stupid Censorship Proxy site that can bypass Websense. (Blocked by Websense / Proxy avoidance)

  • Bypassing the Websense An article that lists techniques on how to get around the Websense filter. (Blocked by Websense / Proxy avoidance)