Often times it can be helpful to fully block or allow a domain based on desired result. The White/Black List tab allows you to build and manage custom block and allow lists and associate these lists to all policies (global) or to a specific policy in case you wish to use on specific sites/networks.
Create List
To create a list select "New" from top right of White/Black List tab page. You can name the list and add a description to help better understand the usage of the list. If you wish to have this list apply to all polices at all sites you can select "Global". Keep in mind that whitelist entries override blacklist entries and so Global whitelist entries will override local and global blacklist entries. You can select multiple lists as global.
Edit List
A list can be used to specifically allow, block, or both depending on desired result. Simply select the Allow tab to add whitelisted entries and the Block tab to add blacklisted entries.
You can enter any domain for fully qualified domain with syntax as followed:
aol.com (This will effect the domain only and ignore sub-domains)
*.aol.com (This will effect the host/sub-domain only and ignore the domain)
We do not allow HTTP or URLs as only domain based entries can be processed.
Further Examples:
Blacklisting *.yahoo.com would block news.yahoo.com but allow yahoo.com.
Blacklisting yahoo.com will block yahoo.com but allow mail.yahoo.com.
In order to fully block or allow a domain/website, it is best to create two entries:
yahoo.com
*.yahoo.com
Order of White/Black List Rules
Here is the order of processing within the system to give you a better understanding of how rules are applied. In short Whitelists override Blacklists and Global Lists override all. Entry type is listed with order of priority:
- Global Whitelist
- Global Blacklist
- Standard Whitelist
- Standard Blacklist
Apply White/Black List to Policy
Global lists do not need to be applied to policy as they automatically work across your entire account. If you wish to assign a list to a specific policy for the use at specific sites/networks this can be done from within your policy tab. First you must navigate to your policy tab and select the custom policy you wish to apply your list to. White/Black lists cannot be assigned to default policies.
Now select "Edit Policy" at upper right corner. Here you can select the "White/Black List" field and choose any number of custom lists you wish to apply to the current policy. Global list do not need to be selected. Now, simply save the policy and your White/Black list settings will be applied to all networks with the selected policy.