Talk:Websense

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[edit]

--Rob; Hell fucking yeah i hate this damn program, it doesnt even let me surf with firefox, i think it closes its ports or something —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.25.55.222 (talk) 05:56, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

I'd like to say... i hate websense with every inch of my being. i hope this company rots in hell.

Mofos... I hate these &(%&*(*%^*!! Ggrrrr.... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 144.36.234.188 (talk) 11:40, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

"This is due to the fact that the use of Websense violates the 1st Amendment." - Clearly POV and also misleading/inaccurate. Getting rid of it. RegBarc 21:32, 23 March 2006 (UTC)

On interesting thing that might want to be looked into, is providing critical links that are not blocked by websense.
Dappergeek 00:58, 9 January 2006 (UTC)

I think Websense is trying to stop all its opponents. I should know -- it locked off some of my favorite sites promoting a free internet (without any reason)! --Aussie Evil 17:12, 13 January 2006 (UTC)
I did put in a request to get peacefire.org unblocked, which resulted in it being moved to Information Technology, a less-likely-to-be-blocked category. Currently my anti-censorware/anti-WebSENSE pages aren't being blocked,but that's probably a matter of time (plus, I didn't feel proper in adding them). EstiRose 17:04, 23 January 2006 (UTC)

Can I just add that the picture where amnesty is blocked is wrong; on this school computer, where EVERYTHING is blocked, amnesty.org works. WEBSENSE=BOO --212.219.203.111 08:53, 2 October 2007 (UTC)

Don't cuss. It's also so annoying how Websence blocks all "uncategorized" sites. Freewebs and iGoogle work. so does cn.ru/games/online. :D EinsteinBaby (talk) 13:44, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Proxy Avoidance

new filtering category, apparently. The Websense installed where I work filtered out peacefire.org citing that category ;) Dunno where to add it, though. TKarrde 00:30, 6 February 2006 (UTC)

It is a WebSENSE sub-category, but I felt the list was big enough without putting every subcategory in (it's a subcategory of Information Technology, per the cited link). Feel free to pull the list from the link and add the subcategory in, though. EstiRose 05:38, 17 February 2006 (UTC)
I've run across this too. [1] --Explodicle 23:04, 28 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Image

I have added an image of Websense at work blocking www.hotmail.com so people see what happens when it happens. Hillhead15 09:36, 15 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Possible spam

I've taken out the Celestix, Inc link that was at the top of the page, because it seemed like spam/advertising. EstiRose 18:44, 16 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Blocking without notice?

I'm at a school running Websense, and recently numerous pages that were never blocked before have stopped working. They don't deliver a notification of any kind, the page simply stops loading and the progress bar freezes. This happens with Google video, Penny Arcade, Megatokyo (pretty much all webcomics), and numerous other areas. Can anyone verify whether this is a Websense block? I think it might just be a local block by the district but I'm not sure.209.232.147.200 18:53, 21 April 2006 (UTC)

Reply--The administrators at your school can see what sites students visit. Administrators can also block sites.EinsteinBaby (talk) 12:11, 7 May 2008 (UTC)
Unlikely - Websense tends to serve up a sort of naughty naughty page rather than just blocking it. I see Livejournal is now banned under Personals and Dating. That's going to make a lot of people happy... Sciamachy 13:53, 9 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Catgories

The way the article is phrased suggests that the link to Websense's categories is a link to all the categories blocked by Websense, but in reality I think those are categories in which all sites, blocked or not, are grouped. Is this correct? Theshibboleth 03:10, 13 May 2006 (UTC)

There is nothing in text of article that makes distinction between categories that are blocked and those that are not. Could someone who knows Websense separate blocked categories please. Shinhan 17:16, 27 July 2006 (UTC)
There is no difference. This is a list of categories that *can* be blocked. Each organization chooses to block certain categories, though there's a good chance some categories will be blocked (such as "Sex" or "Proxy Avoidance") by most of WebSense's clients, and some that will almost never be blocked (such as "News"). But as I've had WebSense tell me numerous times, of course, they don't block pages, they just *enable* their clients to block pages. If I can improve the wording, I will. EstiRose 20:46, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

Try to reload the page, Usually it works.

I just discovered a new category apparently blocked by websense. "URL Translation Services" Huh?

just today i found "yahoo" blocked what the hell isnt that going too far?

[edit] Wikipedia Blocked

Has anyone else had Wikipedia blocked for them? My school is running websense, and as of yeserday en.wikipedia.org has been blocked.

With ye. Sign your name with four tildes. ~~~~. Anyway, it's likely that your teacher has some control over the block, and he/she decided that since you (or your colleagues) have been vandalising wikipedia of late, and so it was added to a block list.
Image:User-Flameviper12.PNG ~ Flame-viper 12 12:05, 13.06.06


[edit] websense a form of spyware?

It seems reports are numerous of websense up an blocking internet pages with proir promission or programming to do it. if one were to go to a website that say it might not like. then it detects on your computer that you went there and then it blocks it.

you know there is another type of program that can change something on your internet without approval. that is called spyware. like spyware it rederects your internet page to another. and like spyware websense has been known to do so without permission from the owner.

[edit] Websense is censorware and should be labelled as such

Cut the bullshit. Theres a definition of censorware on wikipedia, and websense fits it. This is most certainly not security software. If you can't link the the wikipedia article explaining the definition of "enterprise security software" to explain it to people, don't bother. --CalPaterson 00:17, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Where to place this?

Under "See Also", there's this text: Websense is often considered to provide tools for Internet censorship. Websense allows administrators to electively block access to certain sites. In most of the world, a private company is entitled to set whatever policies it wishes on its IT infrastructure and hence this would not be considered censorship as traditionally defined.

Not that it's bad, but the section header needs to be renamed or it needs to be moved somewhere else in the article, or the text needs to be edited so it belongs under the heading. One of the three. Unfortunately, I'm drawing a blank on what to do with it. Any ideas? EstiRose 20:41, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

I fully expect this to be ignored/deleted, but hey. It’s worth a shot. X.x Are there any ways to get around web**** that A, don’t require downloading anything, and B, aren’t blocked? (I have no home internet and a serious desire to know if my sister is alive or not, which sort of requires e-mail/livejournal/devART/something…)--198.236.43.2 18:26, 14 November 2006 (UTC)

I have a trick to getting around it. However, I'm not about to post it, as I don't want the Websense people, or any network admins for that matter, reading it and blocking the way. If you'd like me to send you the method, send me an email at the address shown in this picture: http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a138/Answerthis/email.jpg. And no, it's not something with those proxies that get blocked 5 minutes after you use them. It's a method you won't find anywhere on the internet, as I created it myself. Answerthis 17:03, 29 November 2006 (UTC)

I tried to be nice with providing people a method for bypassing Websense, and what do I get in return? My inbox spammed like crazy with everything imaginable. Now, I'm going to give you guys the benefit of the doubt here, and say that spam bots, not humans, saw the email address and decided to spam me. So, instead of just posting my email address in text, I've made an image of it. If I find that my inbox is still being spammed, I'll remove my email address for good, and then you guys will be out of luck, as I won't help anyone anymore. http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a138/Answerthis/email.jpg Answerthis 20:45, 10 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Proxy Section

I noticed that the section referring to bypassing Websense via proxies was removed. I strongly object to this, as it represents the "other half" which views Websense as a breach of the First Amendment. However, the way in which the proxy factor was presented I think was wrong. I believe that a revised, and less "attack-Websense" viewpoint could be used to re-present the proxy factor into the article. Answerthis 17:20, 29 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] What does the admin see?

I would like to know if the websense admin sees just the ip of the machine that goes to (or attempts to go to,) a restricted site, or if the admin sees the ip and the login of the user. If it only tracks the ip, then those that have citrix sessions can at least try to go to whatever site they want without worrying about consequences.

I would be really mad if I had Websense on my home connection that I pay for; however, I am wise enough to realize that my employer has every right to block whatever they like. It is up to me to be wise enough to know where I can surf for what. There's no such thing as a free lunch, if you want an unrestricted internet connection: pay for it or hack it yourself, don't disguise your lack of ambition as employer oppression. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 138.162.0.45 (talk) 17:24, 6 December 2006 (UTC).

I think you're misunderstanding the concept of Websense... Organizations that want to use the software purchase it and install it on their internet routing server (the "hub" for all the computers in the network). From then on, they can control Websense's B.S. from an administrator computer (with the correct credentials). For the most part, categories are the only thing administrators check for. However, if need be, Websense keeps a record of all internet activity (past week? month? I dunno) and knows what programs access the internet, what sites/IPs/servers you visit, and takes screenshots of your entire screen every x minutes (if the administrators enable this feature - only works with some versions of Websense issued by Bradford Technologies (or somebody with a similar name) that require a client to be installed on all computers on the network). Plus, Websense knows if you use proxy servers (whether HTTP, FTP, SOCKS4 or SOCKS5) so don't try it. --StonedChipmunk 18:22, 16 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Overly Opinionated?

"It still is a gargantuan piece of crap." -- First paragraph. I'm not sure that's entirely appropriate.

24.22.120.31 08:13, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

It may not be appropriate (and is vandalism anyways), but all I can say as a response is: "Damn straight." --StonedChipmunk 18:08, 16 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] I don't know where/if to add this...

https://proxify.org escapes blockage by Websense, which could be very useful for a lot of people who rebel against authority -- like me! <3 --198.236.43.2 19:01, 13 December 2006 (UTC)

Unfortunately, it seems https://proxify.org doesn't show up anymore... server issues? (Damn you, Webs*it - er, Websense!) Down with Websense! (My school blocks every possible category except things stupid like Web-Based Email...) --StonedChipmunk 03:36, 2 February 2007 (UTC)
Well, there are nw sites being set up by peacefire and stupidcensorship like JellyBeach.com of corse those will be blocked but more will be made which will be blocked followed by more and so on...A perpetual arms race.
yeah i would try proxify.org if my websense didnt block "Proxy Avoidance".the juggreserection 16:21, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] A question

At school I have websense blocking some sites. One problem I have is that I take online classes and school is the only time I can work on them. I have no idea how to get around it so I can get to websites found to be "inappropriate". I have tried some proxy servers but they are usuakky blocked I never tried https://proxify.com yet though. Does that site work? -DogPHman 02:32, 15 February 2007 (UTC)

As I just said, it doesn't work for me. Obviously, it's really easy to find out if it works (CLICK THE LINK). I think our school noticed that any sites starting with https:// always get through Websense, so they just don't allow any https sites anymore. (BS!) --StonedChipmunk 18:07, 16 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Added custom categories, blocking times, and spelling checks

Added: "System administrators can also set up custom categories, which allows the administrator to block websites that they deem inappropriate if they do not want to block the website's entire category." Anyone can expand on this if they can. At my school, they have categories like "McCallie Blocked", "McCallie Faculty", and "McCallie Blocked During School". Blocked = all the time blocked, Faculty = available only for faculty, and Blocked During School = blocked during school and night study hall (boarding school). Also added "Separate categories can be blocked at all times or only during certain times of the day." See Blocked During School above. Also did a spelling check and a few grammar corrections. --StonedChipmunk 18:40, 16 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Web Sense is NONSENSE

Websense is one of thoise worst of the worst companies. In plain simple English, it sucks. Today I was blocked from going to checkt out an Italian Love ballad on a site called lyricsandsongs. Why was it blocked? Because Web(non)Sense thinks that site is a malicious content site. This isn't just a first amendment issue, its just plain SUCKWARE. And the worst part is that our tax dollars go to this company. too many governemnt agencies use it and guess who pays for that abuse? We(non)Sense should be shut down because their product stinks. 150.142.232.3 00:43, 21 February 2007 (UTC)

This isn't a place for your rants or opinions, and I should think you wouldn't have placed it into an article. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 66.176.151.104 (talk) 21:09, 27 March 2007 (UTC).

[edit] Advertising a way to bypass Websense

In case you didn't see my above advertisement (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Websense#Where_to_place_this.3F) for getting around Websense, and pretty much every other filtering program, I'll post my email address again. The reason I'm doing this is because I disagree with Websense's policies and believe it violates our rights. So, if you want me to send you the method which is 100% guaranteed by me, send an email to me at: http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a138/Answerthis/email.jpg or answerthis@mb4f.info In addition, to those who I've already helped out, feel free to post your reviews of my system. Answerthis 19:12, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

Dude, you're missing the point: there's no "violation of our rights." The government's not instituting this on everyone's computers. Our employers and schools have a right to keep us from looking at porn all day because of the liability AND from their capitalistic standpoint it's wasted time. As a user said earlier, all Websense is actually doing is categorizing websites, but every organization can customize their policy as much as they want to. Cs92 23:29, 8 October 2007 (UTC)
That is, of course, if your WebSense policy doesn't block photobucket. Insanelymute 2:46, 23 April 2007 (UTC)
If you can't get my email address from photobucket because of Websense, then good luck trying to send an email. answerthis@mb4f.info Answerthis 05:56, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] odd blocking message

"This website has been blocked by Websense in accordance with School Committee Policy and Federal Law." federal law? what? it says this as its new error message at my school, doesnt really make sense... why would sites blocked by websense go against federal law? (it does this for all sites.)

Because the Websense asministrator at your school a) is trying to scare you, or b) has a sense of humour. BastunBaStun not BaTsun 15:28, 30 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Websense

I guess it is worth to make the statement that Websense is not some kind of "evil Software". We all should consider that Websense just offers the technical platform to restrict and control a way of communication. The actual rules, administration, blocking alerts and so on are set by the administrator, nerveless if working for a corporate company, a government, a school and so on.

We also should keep in mind, that Websense is blocking such things as racism, child porn and others. That is not a bad thing, is it? If company’s, country’s, organisations decide to block more content, the critics should be discussed with the responsible person.

There is a former article that Websense is some kind of spyware. Again, it is up to the administrator to allow the recognition of unknown sites and therefore it is not to categorise as spyware. In addition this information will be send without a sender’s address, so the source is unknown to Websense.

To make it short: When a dog gets aggressive, you blame the dog or the holder who trained the dog to do something wrong?

Agreed whole heartedly. Please direct future complaints with regards to blocked web pages to your oranizations IT department.

I JUST WANNA USE FACEBOOK U GOOFY GUY TO MAKE IT SHORT: WHY DONT I SICK MY DOG ON YOU?? WILL YOU BLAME MY DOG, OR ME?!?!?!?!? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 142.165.62.76 (talk) 08:21, 24 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Blocked viewing of a wiki page but not editing and saving it

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Websense_blockage.JPG

It let me edit and save the new sex kitten article but wouldn't let me view the saved page. That's interesting. 66.208.12.125 19:39, 2 November 2007 (UTC)


[edit] Neutrality

This article looks mostly like advertisement. The sections are one-line pointers to the company website. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.59.123.33 (talk) 01:25, 10 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Vandalism

I hope that "Tacos" is not a real blocked category. Although coming from Websense, I wouldn't doubt it. Miggyb 10:23, 16 November 2007 (UTC)

Tacos are dangerous to our youth and the workers of America! Psh. Websense blocks everything except websense.com. so yeah, tacos is prolly blocked. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.26.24.85 (talk) 23:55, 22 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] "HAEM" category

Does anyone know what the "HAEM" category refers to? It's started coming up at work when I try to get to Google docs. --jwandersTalk 11:11, 21 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Some of these complaints make me laugh...

A few people like to blame and criticise Websense it seems. In my opinion Websense is not the problem, as they simply produce a tool which their customers use to apply policy on which websites are allowed or not. It's their customers who define what their employees can and can't access not Websense.

Occaisionally Websense will categorise a site in a certain way that people may disagree with and in these cases administrators can redefine the cateogry to something they deem more suitable for their circumstances.

People also shouldn't expect that their Internet connection at work is for their own personal use. It's a business as well as educational tool and therefore people shouldn't complain if they can't access dirtyslags.com at work or school. Some websites are clearly more appropriate for surfing at home. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 89.240.63.210 (talk) 18:44, 21 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Need source for Israel-Wensense link

"The fact that, according to the company's own website, WebSENSE PreciseID technology was first developed for the Israeli military (see above) now takes on a possible new significance." Removed until you find a WP:RS reliable source. The way it stands right now, it's a speculative unsourced statement based on original research. Probably some peacefore page stating this will serve as a source. --Enric Naval (talk) 18:07, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] links to proxy sites

I saw a link to a redirection for the ceasefitre proxy, and I replaced it with the actual direction of the ceasefire proxy [2]. I didn't remove the link altogether because it could be relevant for people to see how it works. Also, wikipedia should not be a place to get the latest uncesored link to get around websense, right? :P (Not totally sure if this the only and official proxy avoider, btw) --Enric Naval (talk) 10:35, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Removal of Ad warning

I'm no friend of the shysters at Websense, but this entry no longer reads like an ad, so I'm removing it.Wingspeed (talk) 20:07, 10 June 2008 (UTC)