NetIQ MailMarshal was the sleeper hit of the recent email security Group Test. Can this New Zealand-based software development center make it two in a row with its WebMarshal browser control? The answer is a resounding yes.
Currently only available for Windows NT/2000 platforms, WebMarshal is designed to monitor HTTP, HTTPS and FTP traffic over your network. It is non-caching, which may cause some performance problems over particularly busy networks, but, like OrangeBox Web, it can be used as a snap-in to Microsoft ISA Server. It can also be used in conjunction with a number of proxy servers, allowing you to monitor other internet protocols.
As with most products in this Group Test, you must consider the needs of your network before installing, but the excellent manual covers all major configurations.
Installation is easy, with wizards to guide you all the way. The console is a snap-in to the Microsoft Management Console. It is extremely easy to use, and makes defining users and rules very simple. User names can be imported from either NDS or the Windows NT/2000 user directory.
The next step is to define which URLs are to be blacklisted. WebMarshal comes with an extensive list that is fully customizable.
Setting rules is also straightforward. Site blocking states which URLs can or cannot be accessed, and this can also be linked to the scheduler to only allow access at certain times. Content scanning rules specify file types and sizes, whether cookie stripping is required, what content is not permitted, and whether (third-party) virus scanning is required.
Defining what text to look for on a web page is done via scripts. These are built from prohibited words, combined with both Boolean and proximity operators. WebMarshal weights the result before taking action.
The product is supplied with a version of Crystal Reports, allowing you to present information in your preferred format.
The product is equally suited to the small to medium business as well as enterprise models, with simple installation and configuration. Definitely a product worth considering.
