Re: Blocking Access to web-based email

> Many firewalls also allow the use of WebBlocking lists

Yes, I have used those subscription services too. Most (well, many, anyway)
firewall products endorse one blocking list or another, if not provide the
actual subscription service themselves. They do work.

However, I can also say that, if you have a large user base, you will incur
an increase in user trouble tickets asking why they cannot access a
particular website. They will often insist that there is no reason for this
site to be on any "blocked" list because it is totally fine. Sometimes they
are even *right* (false positive in the subscription database). Whether they
are right or wrong, there is a noticeable increase in admin time put into
tracking these things down.

Additionally, I have never found any subscription service that would act
promptly when advised of a "false positive". In fact, many don't respond to
your queries at all. All in all, I've found these services to be fairly
good. But not without incurring admin management overhead and the costs
associated with it.

Just food for thought.

-Frank
Received on Thu Sep 29 20:01:48 2005