BrowseControl 3.3

BrowseControl 3.3 is a feature-rich and powerful program which is developed to help you restrict inappropriate surfing and enforce Internet usage policies in your organisation.

BrowseControl can completely block the Internet, allow access only to Web sites you specify, denying access to any domain, schedule Internet ON at certain times of day and much more. E-mail, FTP sites, Instant Messaging, ICQ, Newsgroups and etc can also be restricted.

In addition to restricting Internet activity, the latest version now includes an Application Blocker, which allows you to specify software applications you want to block the user from running. This can be useful in preventing users from using games, messaging programs, P2P applications or any unauthorized software.

Major Features:

1. BrowseControl Benefits
   • Allow Internet usage to specified times of day and block all other times
   • Block or allow access to specific sites
   • Have instant Control of Internet activity
   • Block any 32bit Application that you do not wish your users to run.
   • Eliminate non-productive surfing computer activity in businesses and academic environments
   • Reduce strain on network bandwidth resources
   • Reduce legal liability
   • Control, Limit, Block access to E-mail, FTP sites & ICQ/IRC/Newsgroups
   • Enhance employee productivity by restricting surfing to work related sites
   • Lock PCs Screen, Keyboard and Mouse to grab the users attention or stop any inappropriate activity
   • Disable CD/DVD and Floppy Drives to prevent fraud or unknown data entering your environment.
2. Easy to Manage: BrowseControl reduces the burden on I.T. Technical staff since all the features can be locally managed by departmental managers or teachers who can enable/ disable internet access at departmental, classroom or individual PC level.
3. Internet Access Control Options: The Internet blocking features are:
   • Totally block internet access
   • Schedule specific time slots during the day Week or month when internet access is allowed. This can also be done on a per PC or Group level.
   • Timer Facility i.e. allow internet for a certain number of minutes
   • Create a table of “Allowed” HTTP Sites which users are allowed access to (e.g. Intranet, Project specific sites, course specific sites)
   • Create a table of "Blocked" HTTP Sites which users are not allowed to access (e.g. Games , Adult Material or known inappropriate sites)
   • Port Filtering options can be modified to block unwanted downloads of files over the internet, avoid filtering of images or allow blocking of ports only during the Internet OFF mode.
   • There are more options available for notifying users when an unauthorized url page has been accessed. The options include displaying a message on a pop-up window, redirecting the user to a specified home page or presenting a message within a browser window. New!
4. Application Blocking: Totally block usage of certain applications to stop the abuse of software. This will help enforce your computer use policy.
   • Specify software applications to be blocked.
   • Internal name of Program used i.e. will work even if user renames the .exe file.
5. Blocking Protocols: Browse Control can block any number of the following protocols and you can even specify any additional ports you require: HTTP, FTP, TELNET, SMTP, POP3, SOCKS, NEWS, IRC
6. User Based BrowseControl: BrowseControl is now able to function in two modes, Computer Based and User Based. User mode allows control over each user on the network. All the functionalities and settings that are available for the Computer based mode are also applicable in the user based mode.
7. Additional Features
   • Active Directory Integration
   • Remote Installation of Clients
   • Redirect Clients
   • Bypass Applications
   • USB Blocking New!
   • Shutdown Scheduler New!
   • Operator Permissions New!
8. Offsite Internet Access Control: Extend the BrowseControl policies to mobile users who are not always connected to the BrowseControl Server. Internet access permissions, Allowed/Blocked lists, AppBlocker settings and any other settings will still apply should the user be working offsite. This is especially beneficial for protecting laptops/systems used by offsite or mobile users.
9. BrowseControl Components: BrowseControl has three components:
   • Server Component: This component includes a Server Service and Database. This allows PCs to be connected to a central location at all times and thus schedules can be made and applied at all times.
   • Console Component: This component is the Management Console that allows the Administrator, Manager or Teacher to control internet access to Client PCs. This console can be installed on any compliant Windows system (server or workstation).
   • • A password can be set on the Browse Control Console so that you will be prompted for your Password when trying to run the Console. This will secure the server from being used by any unauthorised user.
     • Additional security can be set to that "Administrators" can be defined and thus having full control over the system. "Users" can also eb define which will give them limited access to the configuration of BrowseControl yet still allowing them to control internet access and use other features.
   • Client Component: to be installed on all PCs that need to be managed by BrowseControl
   • • The client is password protected and can also be hidden for extra security. Installation is provided in MSI format so that installation is very easy. It can be installed manually on each PC, by Microsoft Active Directory Group Policy, Software Distribution Tools or by login script . The client runs transparently on the PC. 

Enhancements: Enhanced scheduler.

Requirements:

• Server/Console Components
• Minimum Hardware Requirements: IBM-PC Compatible with 32 Mb RAM
• Software Requirements: Windows 2000 sp4 Professional or Server, Windows XP Professional, Windows 2003 Server, Windows Vista.
• Client Component
• Minimum Hardware Requirements: IBM-PC Compatible with a 133MHz and 16 Mb RAM.
• Software Requirements: Windows 2000 sp4 Professional or Server, Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista.