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Cyber Shield Domain Filtering Category Groups and Categories

What is it?

Cyber Shield Domain Filtering Safe Browsing Mode is a preset that adds blocking of adult-related and alcohol/tobacco/drugs-related websites, along with malicious, aggressive, and hacking websites to Basic protection. Once Monitor mode is ON, and 1 or more Domain Filter categories are selected, domain name resolution requests are blocked from a pre-configured User, User Group, or Network to malicious domains.

  1. Access the Cyber Shield page from the Administration portal and on the Domain Filtering pane turn Monitoring ON. This enables you to monitor domain traffic.

  2. After monitoring is activated and if you want to block content categories, click on the edit (pencil) icon. The Domain Filtering window is displayed.

  3. Click the Save button to save the changes and click X to exit.

  4. Confirm that you are connected to the WPC using the same profile from the configured account.

  5. Open a separate incognito browser tab and enter the OpenVPN test domain for the category you selected into the address bar. For example, to test Malware, enter http://malware-test-domain.openvpn.com/ and hit enter.

  6. Confirm from the Domain Filtering graph that the number of blocked domains has increased by 1.

Who should use this?

The Owner or Administrator will configure Domain Filtering to manage domain requests from a configured User, User group, or network to selected domain categories.

Why should I use this?

Managing requests from your network to selected domain categories improves your security posture and user productivity.

Show me how to configure it

Log in from your CloudConnexa Admin portal, or get a free 3 connection account.

Note

Domain Filtering is turned OFF by default. With Domain Filtering turned ON, you can choose whether you only monitor domain queries, or also block domain queries by category.

  1. Expand the Shield menu in the Admin portal and select Overview.

  2. Click the Domain Filtering drop-down menu and select Monitoring & Blocking.

    Important

    This enables the High Productivity Protection Level and will block all 43 Content Categories. To change the Protection Level, select Configuration from the left-nav menu. You may select a different Protection Level Preset Modes (Basic- Blocks Harmful Websites, Monitors all Content Categories, Safe Browsing- Adds blocking of Adult content, Monitors all Content Categories, or Custom-Select any Content Category, Monitors all Content Categories).

Test Domain Filtering

  1. Select Configuration from the left-nav menu and choose the Custom Preset Mode.

  2. For test purposes, select Malware from the list.

  3. Click Update.

  4. Confirm that you are connected to the WPC using the same profile from the configured account.

  5. Open a separate incognito browser tab and navigate to the selected domain(s). For test purposes, navigate to: http://malware-test-domain.openvpn.com/.

  6. Go back to the Top 10 Dashboardand select Blocked domains by Category. Check that the number of blocked domains has increased by 1.

  7. Confirm that the dashboard displays the Malware Category circle.

  8. Add additional Content Category filters as needed.

Category Group: Malicious

Selected Preset Mode

Basic

Safe Browsing

High Productivity

Category Group Blocked

Yes

Yes

Yes

Category: Adware

Websites that distribute Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUP) or Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUA) and ads via Pop-Ups. PUP and PUA are typically distributed within 3rd party bundled software packages when a user installs other desired software. PUP or PUA are not innately malicious, but can impact device performance, or pose a security risk by installing root certificates that can be exploited by malicious actors.

Caution

Does NOT include advertisement websites.

These websites may be accessed by links while visiting News/Media, or Social Networking websites. To ensure added blocking, enable those categories also.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Avoid annoyance or distraction to your users

  • Increase user productivity

  • Protect user data

OpenVPN Test Domain

http://adware-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category: Command and Control

Domains used for Command and Control of malware bots installed on user's computer. Also known as C2 or C&C – Command and Control establishes an unauthorized connection to a user’s computer.

This usually happens when a user opens a phishing email or other infected resource, allowing the malicious actor to commandeer the computer and execute their own code. The malicious actor may also have access to the user’s data.

These domains may be accessed by links while visiting News/Media websites, using Webmail, or Phishing attempts. To ensure added blocking, enable those categories also.

Some negative effects of Command and Control:

  • Compromised user and customer data

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Prevent unauthorized access to your device or network

  • Protect user or customer data

OpenVPN Test Domain

http://c2c-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category: Cryptojacking

Websites used for Cryptojacking – unauthorized use of another user’s computer resources to mine cryptocurrencies. Cryptojacking is a class of malware that is distributed by phishing emails, adware, or infected websites.

Some negative effects of cryptojacking include:

  • Performance degradation

  • For Enterprise-level organizations, increased data costs

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Improve your security posture

  • Prevent unauthorized access to your device or network

  • Reduce potentially elevated data costs

OpenVPN Test Domain

http://cryptojacking-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category: DGA

Random domains are generated using the DGA method to escape detection and establish coordinated attacks. DGA stands for Digital Generating Algorithm. This malware cyber attack method generates fictitious domains to establish communication with a Command and Control server to control the device. The fictitious command servers are decommissioned and re-generated at new IP addresses to continue coordinated attacks.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Improve your security posture

  • Prevent unauthorized access to your device or network

  • Protect data

OpenVPN Test Domain

http://dga-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category: Malware

Websites related to malware distribution and communication. Malware is software designed to gain unauthorized access to a user’s computer. Some websites contain forums discussing methods of distribution. Some websites are specifically created to deliver malware. Some malware distribution methods are:

  • Social Network spam – unsolicited messaging from social networks

    • To enable blocking of Social Networking, enable that category also

  • Drive by downloads from infected websites – unintentional downloads that install malware

    • To block potentially infected websites, enable the Web spam or scam category also

  • Exploit kits – A Remote Access Tool used to exploit a user’s computer

    • To block access to potentially dangerous sites, enable the Command and Control and Phishing categories also

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Improve your security posture

  • Prevent unauthorized access to your device or network

  • Protect data

OpenVPN Test Domain

http://malware-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category: Phishing

Websites that spoof the original site or contain phishing links. Fictitious domains are used to fool users into clicking malicious links. These sites can be used to collect user data, or infect the user’s device.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Improve your security posture

  • Protect data

OpenVPN Test Domain

http://phishing-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category: Ransomware

Websites related to ransomware distribution and control. Ransomware is malicious software and techniques used to encrypt or otherwise make critical data and systems inaccessible. Users are manipulated to submit remittances to regain access to data. Ransomware can be distributed in the form of popups that require action from the user to avoid data loss, performance degradation, unauthorized distribution, or from email.

To ensure added protection against ransomware, you may need to enable the Webmail, File storageWarez (includes torrents)Cryptocurrency and mining categories also.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Improve your security posture

  • Protect data

  • Protect your company’s reputation and financial resources

OpenVPN Test Domain

http://ransomware-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category: Web spam or scam

Websites that advertise fake services, products and other fraudulent schemes. These sites distribute unauthorized spam, or solicit fraudulent schemes. Web spam is evasive and is usually distributed from zombie computers that act as proxies to deliver unauthorized emails, tricking the users into clicking malicious links that may contain fake services, products, or fraudulent schemes. Less malicious spam can be a distraction for your users.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Improve your security posture

  • Protect data

  • Increase user productivity

OpenVPN Test Domain

http://spam-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Adult Content

Adult

Selected Preset Mode Availability

Basic

Safe Browsing

High Productivity

Category Blocked

NO

YES

YES

Websites with adult content that do not fall into other specific adult content categories. (e.g. pregnancy, abortion, LGBT, or other 18+ topics). These websites may be accessed by links while visiting News/Media or Social Networking categories. To ensure added blocking, enable those categories also.

Why Should I Choose This Category?

  • Increase user productivity

CloudConnexa Test Domian

http://adult-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category Group: Adult Content

Selected Preset Mode

Basic

Safe Browsing

High Productivity

Category Group Blocked

Yes

Yes

Yes

Bandwidth consuming

File storage

Selected Preset Mode Availability

Basic

Safe Browsing

High Productivity

Category Blocked

NO

NO

YES

Websites that allow users to host their files for internal use or public sharing. Unauthorized file storage tools that may compromise your company’s security.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Prevent unauthorized access to your device or network

  • Increase user productivity

CloudConnexa Test Domain

http://file-storage-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Streaming Movies & Video

Websites that host streaming audio and video, and offer movies/series for download or online streaming. You may also need to enable the Warez (includes torrents), Music categories also.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Increase user productivity

CloudConnexa Test Domain

http://dating-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Hate

Websites promoting intolerance based on genderageracenationalityreligionsexual orientation, or other group identities. Websites with content or references promoting violence, or any form of discrimination based on a person's identity.

These websites may be accessed by links while visiting News/Media, or Social Networking websites. To ensure added blocking, enable those categories also.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Increase user productivity

CloudConnexa Test Domain

http://hate-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Nudity

Websites, including Celebrity gossip websites, with a high percentage of nudityswimwearunderwear, and intimate fashion apparel. May include websites with Celebrities advertising swimwear, underwear or intimate fashion apparel.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Increase user productivity

CloudConnexa Test Domain

http://nudity-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Pornography

Websites related to pornography or sexually explicit content (18+). These websites may be accessed by links while visiting News/Media, or Social Networking websites. To ensure added blocking, enable those categories also.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Increase user productivity

CloudConnexa Test Domain

http://pornography-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Sexuality

Websites related to sexuality and sex education. May include websites that redirect to websites related to sexuality and sex education. These websites may be accessed by links while visiting News/Media, or Social Networking websites. To ensure added blocking, enable those categories also.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Increase user productivity

CloudConnexa Test Domain

http://sexuality-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Swimsuits and underwear

Websites related to swimsuits and underwear. May contain partial nudity. These websites may be accessed by links while visiting News/Media, or Social Networking websites. To ensure added blocking, enable those categories also.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Increase user productivity

CloudConnexa Test Domain

http://swimsuits-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category Group: Aggressive Content

Selected Preset Modes

Basic

Safe Browsing

High Productivity

Category Group Blocked

No

Yes

Yes

Aggressive Content

Contact sport

Websites related to contact sports (e.g., martial artsWWE, and UFC). These websites may be accessed by links while visiting News/Media, or Social Networking websites. To ensure added blocking, enable those categories also.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Increase user productivity

CloudConnexa Test Domain

http://contact-sport-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Hunting and fishing

Websites related to hunting and fishing. These websites may be accessed by links while visiting News/Media, or Social Networking websites. To ensure added blocking, enable those categories also.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Increase user productivity

CloudConnexa Test Domain

http://hunting-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Inappropriate

Websites related to crimeanorexiasuicideprofanity, or violence. These websites may be accessed by links while visiting News/Media, or Social Networking websites. To ensure added blocking, enable those categories also.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Increase user productivity

CloudConnexa Test Domain

http://tasteless-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Military

Websites related to the military. These websites may be accessed by links while visiting News/Media, or Social Networking websites. To ensure added blocking, enable those categories also.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Increase user productivity

CloudConnexa Test Domain

http://military-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Weapons

Websites related to weapons (e.g. gunsknives, and Army memorabilia). These websites may be accessed by links while visiting News/Media, or Social Networking websites. To ensure added blocking, enable those categories also.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Increase user productivity

CloudConnexa Test Domain

http://weapons-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category Group: Alcohol / Tobacco / Illegal Drugs

Selected Preset Mode

Basic

Safe Browsing

High Productivity

Category Group Blocked

No

Yes

Yes

Alcohol / Tobacco / Illegal Drugs

Alcohol

Websites related to alcohol. These websites may be accessed by links while visiting News/Media, or Social Networking websites. To ensure added blocking, enable those categories also.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Increase user productivity

CloudConnexa Test Domain

http://alcohol-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Illegal Drugs

Websites related to illegal drugsselling illegal drugsnarcotics, or steroids. These websites may be accessed by links while visiting News/Media, or Social Networking websites. To ensure added blocking, enable those categories also.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Increase user productivity

CloudConnexa Test Domain

http://drugs-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Tobacco

Websites related to tobaccosmoking, or cigarettes.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Increase user productivity

CloudConnexa Test Domain

http://tobacco-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category Group: Hacking and cracking

Selected Preset Mode

Basic

Safe Browsing

High Productivity

Category Group Blocked

No

Yes

Yes

Hacking and cracking

Websites related to hacking (e.g. crackingstolen data, jailbreaking, etc). Websites related to hacking — unauthorized use of a user’s device or network.

  • Websites related to cracking-- the act of obtaining unauthorized access to a user’s device or network.

  • Websites containing or forums discussing stolen data.

  • Websites discussing jailbreaking-- the act of exploiting a system’s vulnerabilities for the purpose of modifying its functionality or sites discussing those techniques.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Improve your security posture

  • Increase user productivity

CloudConnexa Test Domain

http://proxy-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Proxy/Anonymizers

Websites related to web proxy bypass and other web browsing restrictions.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

Improve your security posture
  • Improve your security posture

  • Protect data

CloudConnexa Test Domain

http://proxy-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Warez (includes torrents)

Websites related to torrents, warez, software cracks, and other BNher pirated content. May contain adult content for download. You may also need to enable the MusicStreaming Movies & Video categories also.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Reduce legal liability

  • Prevent unauthorized access to your device or network

  • Increase user productivity

CloudConnexa Test Domain

http://file-storage-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category Group: Bandwidth consuming

Selected Preset Mode Availability

Basic

Safe Browsing

High Productivity

Category Blocked

No

No

Yes

Category: File storage

Websites that allow users to host their files for internal use or public sharing. Unauthorized file storage tools may compromise your company’s security.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Prevent unauthorized access to your device or network

  • Increase user productivity

OpenVPN Test Domain

http://file-storage-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category: Streaming Movies & Video

Websites that host streaming audio and video, and offer movies/series for download or online streaming. You may also need to enable the Warez (includes torrents)Music categories also.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Prevent unauthorized access to your device or network

  • Increase user productivity

OpenVPN Test Domain

http://movies-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category: Music

Websites related to streaming musicmusic magazineslyricsbandsmusical instruments , and music downloads. You may also need to enable the Warez (includes torrents)Streaming Movies & Video categories also.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Prevent unauthorized access to your device or network

  • Increase user productivity

OpenVPN Test Domain

http://music-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category Group: Gambling and Games

Selected Preset Mode

Basic

Safe Browsing

High Productivity

Category Group Blocked

No

Yes

Yes

Category: Gambling

Websites related to gambling and betting. These websites may be accessed by links while visiting News/Media, or Social Networking websites. To ensure added blocking, enable those categories also.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Increase user productivity

OpenVPN Test Domain

http://gambling-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category: Games

Websites related to and providing computer or online games and information about them. These websites may be accessed by links while visiting News/Media, or Social Networking websites. To ensure added blocking, enable those categories also.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Increase user productivity

OpenVPN Test Domain

http://games-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category Group: Time stealer

Selected Preset Mode

Basic

Safe Browsing

High Productivity

Category Group Blocked

No

No

Yes

Category: Chat and Messengers

Websites that host chat applications and provide online communications capabilities. These websites may be accessed by links while visiting Social Networking websites. To ensure added blocking, enable that categories also.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Increase user productivity

OpenVPN Test Domain

http://chat-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category: Classifieds/Auctions/Shopping

Websites related to second-hand salesshopping, and online auctions. These websites may be accessed by links while visiting News/Media, or Social Networking websites. To ensure added blocking, enable those categories also.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Increase user productivity

OpenVPN Test Domain

http://classifieds-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category: Cryptocurrency and mining

Websites related to cryptocurrency and crypto mining.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Protect compute resources

OpenVPN Test Domain

http://cryptocurrency-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category: Entertainment and Arts

Websites related to gossipcelebrityhumorviral jokesartentertainment, and other time stealers. These websites may be accessed by links while visiting News/Media, or Social Networking websites. To ensure added blocking, enable those categories also.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Increase user productivity

OpenVPN Test Domain

http://entertainment-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category: Forums

Discussion and forum websites. These websites may be accessed by links while visiting News/Media, or Social Networking websites. To ensure added blocking, enable those categories also.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Increase user productivity

OpenVPN Test Domain

http://forums-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category: Job search

Websites related to job offersjob searchHR software, job/resume tips , and freelancing job sites.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Increase user productivity

    • Workforce retention

OpenVPN Test Domain

https://job-search-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category: News/Media

Websites related to news, and newspapers. Websites with news media content.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Increase user productivity

OpenVPN Test Domain

http://news-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category: Nonsense and time waste

Websites that host directories to viral jokeshumormemesmovies, and other time-stealers. Unproductive websites that contain humorous or video content not related to your company’s business goals.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Increase user productivity

OpenVPN Test Domain

http://nonsense-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category: Real estate

Websites related to real estate or house rentals. These websites contain content about real estate availability, purchases, sales, or rentals.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Increase user productivity

OpenVPN Test Domain

http://real-estate-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category: Social Networks

Websites related to networking between people. Social Networking sites that do not fall into the job search category.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Improve your security posture

  • Increase user productivity

  • Protect users from Social Network spam

OpenVPN Test Domain

http://social-networks-test-domain.openvpn.com/

Category: Webmail

Websites that offer to send and receive emails. Browser-based email systems that may or may not be protected by your network’s WPC.

Why Should I Choose this Category?

  • Protect users' data from potentially vulnerable web-based email domains

OpenVPN Test Domain

http://webmail-test-domain.openvpn.com/