Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Cybersecurity
    • Cybersecurity
    • Mobile

    Websense Seeks to Bolster Smart-Phone Security with URL Filter

    Written by

    Brian Prince
    Published March 27, 2007
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

      Websense is taking on mobile device security with new URL classification and filtering software designed to prevent users from accessing malicious or inappropriate Web content.

      The Websense Wireless URL Categorization Engine collects URLs from Internet sites and classifies them. Depending on the content filters installed with the individual wireless service provider, access to certain Web sites can be allowed, blocked or permitted only after a “continue” option is presented to the subscriber. Wireless operators, or their subscribers, can set filtering policies for more than 90 categories of Web sites, ranging from adult content to spyware, Websense officials said.

      “Web-enabled mobile devices are more powerful than ever before in terms of computing power and access to broadband connectivity, making them an easy target for security threats such as spyware and keyloggers,” said Kian Saneii, Websense Wireless general manager, in an interview with eWEEK. “The security threats to enterprise networks are real—more than half of smart-phone users keep confidential business data on their devices.”

      /zimages/7/28571.gifClick here to read about a smart-phone security management tool from Trust Digital.

      Using Websenses ThreatSeeker technology, Web sites are scored and classified based on reputation and characteristics. These high-risk sites are added to a threat “watch list,” so operators can block access to those sites, helping to improve security coverage against external Web-based threats.

      “The database of scanned Web sites is updated daily, often in real time, to mitigate security threats as they emerge,” Saneii said.

      Though the Websense Wireless URL Categorization Engine establishes the categories that determine whether a site will be blocked or allowed, the actual blocking policies are determined by individual network operators based on their own policies and government regulations, Saneii added.

      “Websense Wireless has created very specific definitions for how Web sites are categorized. However, there are ways to change those categorization parameters, which will in turn affect whether a site is blocked or not,” he said. “The actual process of changing those categories can be done automatically without requiring an IT [worker].”

      Wireless infrastructure providers and IP-based service providers can leverage the Websense Wireless URL Categorization Engine within their own technology offerings. This helps reduce management and deployment costs as compared to handset-based security offerings, Websense officials said.

      /zimages/7/28571.gifFor advice on how to secure your network and applications, as well as the latest security news, visit Ziff Davis Internets Security IT Hub.

      The Websense Wireless URL Categorization Engine allows operators to deploy value-added services such as customized parental controls, premium content offerings for subscribers, enhanced wireless security identification offerings, and mobile advertising and marketing.

      Protecting smart phones and other mobile devices from malware is going to become increasingly important to corporations as the number of mobile devices used for business continues to grow, Saneii said.

      “More than 80 percent of mobile devices lack security capabilities on par with typical enterprise security protection, according to Gartner,” he said. “The business market is poised to play an increasingly important role in the U.S. wireless industry as total subscriber growth slows. With the consumer wireless market approaching saturation, service providers are turning to the business market and its attractively high voice average revenue per user and still early-stage adoption of data as primary growth drivers.”

      Check out eWEEK.coms Security Center for the latest security news, reviews and analysis. And for insights on security coverage around the Web, take a look at eWEEKs Security Watch blog.

      Brian Prince
      Brian Prince

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Artificial Intelligence

      9 Best AI 3D Generators You Need...

      Sam Rinko - June 25, 2024 0
      AI 3D Generators are powerful tools for many different industries. Discover the best AI 3D Generators, and learn which is best for your specific use case.
      Read more
      Cloud

      RingCentral Expands Its Collaboration Platform

      Zeus Kerravala - November 22, 2023 0
      RingCentral adds AI-enabled contact center and hybrid event products to its suite of collaboration services.
      Read more
      Artificial Intelligence

      8 Best AI Data Analytics Software &...

      Aminu Abdullahi - January 18, 2024 0
      Learn the top AI data analytics software to use. Compare AI data analytics solutions & features to make the best choice for your business.
      Read more
      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Video

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2024 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×