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Configuring Social Controls in GFI WebMonitor 2012

Author: Luis Fernandes

Overview

This article provides relevant information regarding Social Control policies in GFI WebMonitor 2012, as well as the required steps to configure policy rules for Social Controls.

 

Environment

GFI WebMonitor 2012

 

Process

Social Control policies provide granular control over the use of social networking services. For example, you can create a policy to block certain functionality within Facebook without blocking the website itself.

If a policy is breached, GFI WebMonitor uses the configured policy to determine what action to take. Social Controls grant or deny access to the following:

 

Application Description
Facebook It blocks Facebook's games and apps from running.
Google+ It blocks games on Google+
Twitter It blocks the ability to tweet, direct messages, view profiles, connect to users, etc.

Other social networking sites

 Not applicable

 

There is a Default IM, and a Social Control Policy enabled when GFI WebMonitor is installed. It is pre-configured to allow access to all social networking services to all users on your network. The default policy can be edited, but it cannot be disabled or deleted. Any changes made to the default policy apply to all users.

Note: Certain fields in the default policy cannot be edited, including Policy Name and Apply Policy To.

 

Creating a new Social Control Policy

  1. Navigate to Settings > Policies > Internet Policies.

  2. In the Instant Messaging / Social Control Policies section, click on Add Policy.

  3. In the Policy Name field, add a policy name.

  4. In the Filter section, specify which social networking service to block or allow under Social Controls.

  5. In the Apply Policy To field, specify the users, groups, or IPs for whom the new policy applies and click Add.

    Note: Proxy Authentication must be enabled. Otherwise, you will not be able to add Active Directory users.

  6. In the Notify Breacher section, click ON to enable sending notifications when a user infringes this policy. Provide the body text of the notification email in the available space.

  7. Use the Notify Administrators section to send notifications when the downloaded content infringes this policy. Add the administrator’s email address and provide the body text of the notification email.

  8. Click Save to apply the changes.

    Note: All added policies take priority over the default policy.