Business security solutions provider WatchGuard Technologies has released updates to its extensible threat management (XTM) family of multifunction firewalls.
The latest release of the XTM operating system enables administrators to manage search capabilities. It also adds so-called Application Control features designed to aid administrators in managing web applications.
SAFE SEARCH
With the new WatchGuard Safe Search feature, administrators can manage and enforce search engine filtering settings to ensure users – and, in particular, children — do not see adult content in their search results.
By setting the option at the XTM firewall gateway, administrators override whatever preference users set in their web browser. WatchGuard Safe Search works with leading search engines, including Google, Bing, Yahoo, and Ask.com. Additionally, the safe search feature enforces “safety mode” on YouTube to filter out and remove objectionable content or comments.
The Safe Search feature is especially useful for schools and libraries in the U.S. that need to lock down Internet search results to comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).
APPLICATION CONTROL
With this new XTM release, WatchGuard further enhances its Application Control functionality. Now, administrators can manage more than 1,800 applications, which squarely positions WatchGuard Application Control above any competitive UTM or Next Generation Firewall.
Notable additions include identification of Android and iPhone mobile phone browsers, and popular social networking and web 2.0 applications from around the world, such as Viadeo (France), Tuenti (Spain), Hyves (Netherlands), Mixi.jp (Japan).
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS
Additionally, administrators will appreciate new user interface controls that simplify common tasks, including applying application actions to multiple policies and setting policy by application category. Rules by category are automatically updated to include any new applications that are added to a category as part of regular signature updates.
Finally, policy, VPN and SNMP enhancements further round-out this latest software release. “Whether it is protecting kids from pornography or keeping employees safe and productive, WatchGuard XTM solutions are unsurpassed for matching strong security with ease of use,” says Tim Helming, WatchGuard Technologies director of product management.
