ImageStream Internet Solutions, Inc.

Netsweeper is an ImageStream technology partner that specializes in classification of Web content and network-based Web filtering solutions. ImageStream routers can now be used to leverage Netsweeper technology to provide Web content filtering throughout networks equipped with ImageStream routers.

How Netsweeper Works with ImageStream
As network users browse the Web, the network traffic is intercepted by an ImageStream router, just like a transparent proxy. The router identifies the URL and sends a message to a Netsweeper Policy Server that is deployed within the local network and connected to the Internet. The Policy Server classifies the URL and replies to the router with directions to block the URL or allow transfer of the page to the client. Policies can be set globally for all users, or they can be set up to filter users on a per department, per group, or even per user basis.

As millions of new Web pages are posted on the Internet each day, not all URLs will be pre-classified in Netsweeper's master URL database. When a new website is found, the URL is immediately sent via the Internet to Netsweeper's categorization engine where the page will be reviewed and categorized in real time. The categorization engine sends the new URL classification to the master database, which then provides the URL category to the policy server.

Netsweeper servers can be deployed in single or redundant configurations to provide low-latency Web filtering for large and small networks. When used in conjunction with ImageStream routers, highly granular network-based filtering can be deployed without the single point of failure associated with most network appliances. The server software is provided free of charge, and the cost of the Netsweeper database service depends on the number of network users.

Netsweeper for ISPs
ISPs are always looking to increase revenue per customer, reduce client churn, and increase customer loyalty. Therefore, in today's competitive market, it is imperative for ISPs to become value-added solution providers by offering outsourced network services to business customers. Offering a high-value Web filtering solution to business customers can help to achieve these goals.

The Netsweeper Policy Server can be set up to provide a dedicated policy portal for individual customers, so corporate customers can outsource Web filtering while they manage their own filtering policies. With the ability to control Web access policies, most business customers will see an immediate return on the investment as they audit Internet use, control bandwidth resources, increase productivity, and mitigate network security threats.

Netsweeper for Enterprises
Netsweeper is a powerful tool for enterprises that want to manage employee access to the Web. Using Netsweeper with ImageStream routers, organizations can better understand and control Internet usage in the workplace while protecting network users from viruses, spyware, phishing, and other malicious applications. More importantly, Netsweeper can further promote a productive work environment by blocking common employee distractions during the workday, such as social networking, online shopping, investing, gambling, job search, and Instant Messaging applications. Netsweeper helps organizations regain lost productivity and stop Internet abuse.

Netsweeper for Education
The Internet has become a primary research tool for today's students, enabling them to learn a vast array of subjects. Unfortunately, providing unmonitored Internet access to students has a wide range of risks, and may not be legal in many schools and libraries. Here are some statistics that drive the need to filter Web access for students:

90% of school children today have viewed pornography on a computer while doing homework or research.
11 is the average age when students first view pornography on the Internet.
At any time, there are over 50,000 sexual offenders online using social networking sites or chat rooms.

Netsweeper filtering puts a school's or library's IT staff in control of Web access, with full CIPA and BECTA compliance. Blocking access to sites with inappropriate content, unsupervised social networks, high bandwidth applications, and anonymous proxies will help ensure students remain safe and focused on education.

Netsweeper for Government
Federal, state and local governments rely on the Internet to address the needs of their citizens. When government employees are given unrestricted Internet access, the door is opened to an assortment of risks that could impact the security and privacy of governmental operations. Without properly managing Internet access and instituting an Internet usage policy, governmental bodies are vulnerable to Internet abuse which may result in lost productivity, network infection, legal liabilities, increased infrastructure costs, and the loss of sensitive information.

Netsweeper filtering works with ImageStream routers to provide a level of protection and control that is necessary for all public organizations. Leveraging Netsweeper's delegated administration tools, IT authorities have the ability to control what Internet sites can be accessed on a user by user basis.

For more information on Netsweeper filtering products for ImageStream networks, please contact ImageStream.