Websense is a San Diego, California-based company which produces web filtering software, also known as Internet content-control software of the same name. The blockage created by this software has led to the creation of the word "websensed". The company also provides customers with Information Leak Prevention software, technology the company acquired in January 2007 from PortAuthority Technologies. While it is aimed at businesses and other large entities (such as governments, for their employees), it also sees use in libraries and schools. It has come under criticism from civil liberties groups on grounds that it restricts the free flow of speech.^[1] The company was founded by Phil Trubey in 1994.^[2] Its tagline is "Securing Productivity," reflecting one of the three main concerns prompting installation of its filtering software: (1) legal liability, (2) bandwidth, and (3) productivity.^[3].

Technologies inside Websense

Reporting Tools

Websense does not merely filter users' Internet use – it also tracks it. According to the company website, "Included at no extra charge with all Websense products" are tools for "comprehensive reporting on the endpoint" with drill-down features to "access data by risk class, category, URL, application, user, workstation, dates, and more."^[4] Thus, it is quite easy for administrators to see exactly what users are doing on the Internet.

Categories

Websense is designed to allow system administrators to block access to web sites (and other protocols) based on categories. These categories contain lists of sites that can be blocked. Separate categories can be blocked at all times or only during certain times of the day. The software also allows organizations to offer a "continue button," which allows users to go to a blocked category if it is work related.^[5]

ThreatSeeker technology

In October 2006, Websense publicly unveiled its ThreatSeeker technology, which scans approximately 600 million websites per week to find security threats on the Internet. The technology powers its Websense Security Suite software.^[6]. In Feb. 2007, Websense used its ThreatSeeker technology to discover that a Super Bowl web site was compromised with malicious code. ^[7]

PreciseID

PreciseID uses technology initially developed for the Israeli military to track the whereabouts and distribution of data^[8].

Deep Content Control

Websense's proprietary Deep Content Control aims to monitor and control "Who and What goes Where and How" in an effort to protect confidential information. Websense's website only notes that it is a combination of the ThreatSeeker and PreciseID technologies.^[9]

Criticism

Some anti-censorship groups and human rights organizations claim that Websense is censoring free speech in countries with limited civil liberties^[10]. Websense can also be seen as discriminatory for blocking categories such as education, health, and non-pornographic homosexual content.

According to the OpenNet Initiative, Websense is used by internet service providers in Yemen^[11] as part of the government enforced censorship program. It is also used in China according to Amnesty international ^[12].

In December 2006 the company acquired the Israeli data security company PortAuthority for $90 million. Announcing the take-over, WebSENSE said that it was "committed to maintaining the company's research and development presence in Israel." ^[13] In November 2007 web-users began reporting that WebSENSE was blocking within the US and the UK their access to the blog site of Noam Chomsky and to the website of Norman Finkelstein, prominent academics known for their criticism of the state of Israel.^[14]

External links

• Official homepage

• Critical webpage (Blocked as "Proxy Avoidance" under Websense)

• Official proxy avoider provided by ceasefire.org

References