SonicWall Content Filtering Service Categories
Scalable, dynamic solution to block non-productive Web content
Content filtering ratings categories range from offensive types of content such as "Violence," which would include anti-social Web sites that advocate use of weapons or explosives, to sites that may not be offensive but would otherwise cause a potential risk to the network in terms of bandwidth usage, such as "Software downloads" or "Streaming Media/MP3".
Ratings Categories for Standard Filtering
Adult & Mature Content
Sites that contain material of adult nature that does not necessarily contain excessive violence, sexual content, or nudity. These sites include very profane or vulgar content and sites that are not appropriate for children.
www.humorbomb.org / www.punchbaby.com
Alcohol/Tobacco
Sites that promote or offer for the sale alcohol/tobacco products, or provide the means to create them. Also includes sites that glorify, tout, or otherwise encourage the consumption of alcohol/tobacco. Does not include sites that sell alcohol or tobacco as a subset of other products.
www.budweiser.com / www.coors.com
Criminal & Illegal Skills
Sites that advocate or give advice on performing illegal acts such as service theft, evading law enforcement, fraud, burglary techniques and plagiarism. Sites that provide instructions about or promote crime, unethical/dishonest behavior or evasion of prosecution thereof. Excludes computer crime.
www.oppapers.com / www.antiessays.com
Cult & Occult
Sites that promote or offer methods, means of instruction, or other resources to affect or influence real events through the use of spells, curses, magic powers or supernatural beings.
www.phlums.com / www.terrificator.com
Drugs
Drug sites that promote, offer, sell, and supply, encourage or otherwise advocate the recreational or illegal use, cultivation, manufacture, or distribution of drugs, pharmaceuticals, intoxicating plants or chemicals and their related paraphernalia. In addition, sites that discuss or promote the use of regulated drugs and their abuse, as well as the paraphernalia associated with abuse that provide information about approved drugs and their medical use and promote the use of chemicals not regulated by the FDA.
www.marijuana.org / www.hightimes.com
Gambling
Sites where a user can place a bet or participate in a betting pool (including lotteries) online. Also includes sites that provide information, assistance, recommendations, or training on placing bets or participating in games of chance. Does not include sites that sell gambling related products or machines. Also does not include sites for offline casinos and hotels (as long as those sites do not meet one of the above requirements).
www.gambling.com / www.casion.com / www.sportsbook.com
Hacking and Proxy Avoidance
Sites providing information on illegal or questionable access to or the use of communications equipment/software, or provide information on how to bypass proxy server features or gain access to URLs in any way that bypasses the proxy server.
www.anonymizer.com / astalavista.box.sk / www.happyhacker.org / www.phreak.com
Illegal Drugs
Sites that promote, offer, sell, supply, encourage or otherwise advocate the illegal use, cultivation, manufacture, or distribution of drugs, pharmaceuticals, intoxicating plants or chemicals and their related paraphernalia.
www.marijuana.org / www.hightimes.com
Intimate Apparel/Swimsuits
Sites that contain images or offer the sale of swimsuits or intimate apparel or other types of suggestive clothing. Does not include sites selling undergarments as a subsection of other products offered.
www.victoriassecret.com / www.fredericks.com
Nudity
Sites containing nude or seminude depictions of the human body. These depictions are not necessarily sexual in intent or effect, but may include sites containing nude paintings or photo galleries of artistic nature. This category also includes nudist or naturist sites that contain pictures of nude individuals.
www.danheller.com / www.bodyscapes.com / www.nudistnews.com
Pornography
Sites that contain sexually explicit material for the purpose of arousing a sexual or prurient interest.
www.playboy.com / www.whitehouse.com
Sex Education
Sites that provide graphic information on reproduction, sexual development, safe sex practices, sexuality, birth control, and sexual development. Also includes sites that offer tips for better sex as well as products used for sexual enhancement.
www.scarleteen.com / www.cdhh.org
Violence, Hate and Racism
Sites that depict extreme physical harm to people or property, or that advocate or provide instructions on how to cause such harm. Also includes sites that advocate, depict hostility or aggression toward, or denigrate an individual or group on the basis of race, religion, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, or other involuntary characteristics.
www.whitepower.com / www.bumfights.com / www.deathnet.com
Weapons
Sites that sell, review, or describe weapons such as guns, knives or martial arts devices, or provide information on their use, accessories, or other modifications. Does not include sites that promote collecting weapons, or groups that either support or oppose weapons use.
www.browning.com / www.weapons.com
Ratings Categories for Premium Filtering
For Kids
Sites designed specifically for children.
www.yahooligans.com / www.kidsites.com / www.panwapa.com
Abortion
Sites that provide information or arguments in favor of or against abortion, describe abortion procedures, offer help in obtaining or avoiding abortion, or provide information on the effects, or lack thereof, of abortion.
www.gynpages.com / www.abortionfacts.com
Adult & Mature Content
Sites that contain material of adult nature that does not necessarily contain excessive violence, sexual content, or nudity. These sites include very profane or vulgar content and sites that are not appropriate for children.
www.humorbomb.org / www.steakandcheese.com / www.punchbaby.com
Alcohol & Tobacco
Sites that promote or offer for the sale alcohol/tobacco products, or provide the means to create them. Also includes sites that glorify, tout, or otherwise encourage the consumption of alcohol/tobacco. Does not include sites that sell alcohol or tobacco as a subset of other products.
www.budweiser.com / www.coors.com
Arts & Entertainment
Sites that promote and provide information about motion pictures, videos, television, music and programming guides, books, comics, movie theatres, galleries, artists or reviews on entertainment.
www.imdb.com / www.eonline.com / www.moviephone.com
Auctions
Sites that support the offering and purchasing of goods between individuals. Does not include classified advertisements.
www.bidfind.com / www.ebay.com
Brokerage & Trading
Sites that provide or advertise trading of securities and management of investment assets (online or offline). Also includes insurance sites, as well as sites that offer financial investment strategies, quotes, and news
www.etrade.com / www.datek.com
Business & Economy
Sites devoted to business firms, business information, economics, marketing, business management and entrepreneurship. This does not include sites that perform services that are defined in another category (such as Information Technology companies, or companies that sell travel services).
www.ge.com / www.sunbeam.com
Chat & Instant Messaging
Sites that provide chat or instant messaging capabilities or client downloads.
www.web.icq.com/icqchat / www.aim.com / www.messenger.msn.com
Computers & Internet
Sites that sponsor or provide information on computers, technology, the Internet and technology-related organizations and companies.
www.microsoft.com / www.javaworld.com
Cult & Occult
Sites that promote or offer methods, means of instruction, or other resources to affect or influence real events through the use of spells, curses, magic powers or supernatural beings.
www.phlums.com / www.terrificator.com
Cultural Institutions
Sites sponsored by cultural institutions, or provide information about museums, galleries, theatres (not movie theaters). Includes groups such as 4H and the Boy Scouts of America.
www.childmuseum.org / www.scouting.org / www.4h.org
Education
Sites that offer educational information, distance learning and trade school information or programs. Also includes sites that are sponsored by schools, educational facilities, faculty, or alumni groups.
www.education-world.com / www.ed.govwww.nyu.edu
Sites offering web-based email services, such as online email reading, e-cards, and mailing list services.
www.email.com / www.hotmail.com
Financial Services
Sites that provide or advertise banking services (online or offline) or other types of financial information, such as loans. Does not include sites that offer market information, brokerage or trading services.
www.americafirst.com / www.paypay.com
For Kids
Sites designed specifically for children.
www.yahooligans.com / www.kidsites.com / www.panwapa.com
Gambling
Sites where a user can place a bet or participate in a betting pool (including lotteries) online. Also includes sites that provide information, assistance, recommendations, or training on placing bets or participating in games of chance. Does not include sites that sell gambling related products or machines. Also does not include sites for offline casinos and hotels (as long as those sites do not meet one of the above requirements).
www.gambling.com / www.casino.com / www.sportsbook.com
Games
Sites that provide information and support game playing or downloading, video games, computer games, electronic games, tips, and advice on games or how to obtain cheat codes. Also includes sites dedicated to selling board games as well as journals and magazines dedicated to game playing. Includes sites that support or host online sweepstakes and giveaways.
www.nintendo.com / www.gamespot.com / www.gamesdomain.com
Gay & Lesbian
Sites that provide information, promote, or cater to gay and lesbian lifestyles. Does not include sites that are sexually oriented.
www.gay.com / www.waf.org
Government & Legal
Sites sponsored by or which provide information on government, government agencies and government services such as taxation and emergency services. Also includes sites that discuss or explain laws of various governmental entities.
www.whitehouse.gov / www.federalreserve.gov
Hacking & Proxy Avoidance
Sites providing information on illegal or questionable access to or the use of communications equipment/software, or provide information on how to bypass proxy server features or gain access to URLs in any way that bypasses the proxy server.
www.anonymizer.com / astalavista.box.sk / www.happyhacker.org / www.phreak.com
Health
Sites that provide advice and information on general health such as fitness and well-being, personal health or medical services, drugs, alternative and complimentary therapies, medical information about ailments, dentistry, optometry, general psychiatry, self-help, and support organizations dedicated to a disease or condition.
www.cvs.com / www.webmd.com
Humor & Jokes
Sites that provide information on or promote vehicles, boats, or aircraft, including sites that support online purchase of vehicles or parts.
www.ahajokes.com / www.comedycentral.com / www.the-jokes.com
Illegal & Questionable
Sites that advocate or give advice on performing illegal acts such as service theft, evading law enforcement, fraud, burglary techniques and plagiarism. Also includes sites that provide or sell questionable educational materials, such as term papers.
www.antiessays.com / www.monkeysnatcher.com
Illegal Drugs
Sites that promote, offer, sell, supply, encourage or otherwise advocate the illegal use, cultivation, manufacture, or distribution of drugs, pharmaceuticals, intoxicating plants or chemicals and their related paraphernalia.
www.marijuana.org / www.hightimes.com
Intimate Apparel & Swimsuits
Sites that contain images or offer the sale of swimsuits or intimate apparel or other types of suggestive clothing. Does not include sites selling undergarments as a subsection of other products offered.
www.victoriassecret.com / www.fredericks.com
Job Search & Careers
Sites that provide assistance in finding employment, and tools for locating prospective employers.
www.hotjobs.com / www.flipdog.com / www.monster.com
Military
Sites that promote or provide information on military branches or armed services.
www.army.mil / www.navy.mil / www.af.mil
News & Media
Sites that primarily report information or comments on current events or contemporary issues of the day. Also includes radio stations and magazines. Does not include sites that can be rated in other categories.
www.cnn.com / www.foxnews.com / www.msnbc.com
Newsgroups
Sites that offer access to Usenet news groups or other messaging or bulletin board systems.
www.newsville.com/news/group
Nudity
Sites containing nude or seminude depictions of the human body. These depictions are not necessarily sexual in intent or effect, but may include sites containing nude paintings or photo galleries of artistic nature. This category also includes nudist or naturist sites that contain pictures of nude individuals.
www.danheller.com / www.bodyscapes.com / www.nudistnews.com
Pay to Surf
Sites that pay users in the form of cash or prizes, for clicking on or reading specific links, email, or web pages.
www.bestfreemoneyonline.com / www.limeshare.org
Personals & Dating
Sites that promote interpersonal relationships.
www.singlelinks.com / www.lovesites.com
Political & Activist Groups
Sites sponsored by or which provide information on political parties, special interest groups, or any organization that promotes change or reform in public policy, public opinion, social practice, or economic activities.
www.texasgop.org / www.aclu.org / www.rnc.orgwww.dnc.org
Pornography
Sites that contain sexually explicit material for the purpose of arousing a sexual or prurient interest.
www.playboy.com / www.whitehouse.com
Real Estate
Sites that provide information on renting, buying, or selling real estate or properties.
www.century21.com / www.realtor.com / www.hud.org
Reference
Sites containing personal, professional, or educational reference, including online dictionaries, maps, census, almanacs, library catalogues, genealogy-related sites and scientific information.
www.dictionary.com / www.encarta.com / www.familysearch.org
Religion
Sites that promote and provide information on conventional or unconventional religious or quasi-religious subjects, as well as churches, synagogues, other houses of worship. Does not include sites containing witchcraft (Cult/Occult) or atheist beliefs.
www.catholic.net / www.gospel.com / www.lds.org
Restaurants, Dining & Food
Sites that list, review, discuss, advertise and promote food, catering, dining services, cooking and recipes.
www.foodtv.com / www.zagats.com
Search Engines & Portals
Sites that support searching the Internet, indices, and directories.
www.google.com / www.yahoo.com
Sex Education
Sites that provide graphic information (sometimes graphic) on reproduction, sexual development, safe sex practices, sexuality, birth control, and sexual development. Also includes sites that offer tips for better sex as well as products used for sexual enhancement.
www.scarleteen.com / www.viagra.com / www.sexed.com / www.sexuality.org
Shopping
Sites that provide or advertise the means to obtain goods or services. Does not include sites that can be classified in other categories (such as vehicles or weapons).
www.macys.com / www.target.com
Software Downloads
Sites that are dedicated to the electronic download of software packages, whether for payment or at no charge.
www.download.com / www.tucows.com
Sports, Recreation & Hobbies
Sites that promote or provides information about spectator sports, recreational activities, or hobbies. Includes sites that discuss or promote camping, gardening, and collecting.
www.espn.com / www.nba.com / www.snoweb.com
Streaming Media & MP3
Sites that sell, deliver, or stream music or video content in any format, including sites that provide downloads for such viewers.
www.mp3.com / www.windowsmedia.com / www.musiccity.com
Travel
Sites that promote or provide opportunity for travel planning, including finding and making travel reservations, vehicle rentals, descriptions of travel destinations, or promotions for hotels or casinos.
www.travelocity.com / www.luxor.com / www.orbitz.com / www.hertz.com
Vehicles
Sites that provide information on or promote vehicles, boats, or aircraft, including sites that support online purchase of vehicles or parts.
www.autotrader.com / www.boattrader.com
Violence, Hate & Racism
Sites that depict extreme physical harm to people or property, or that advocate or provide instructions on how to cause such harm. Also includes sites that advocate, depict hostility or aggression toward, or denigrate an individual or group on the basis of race, religion, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, or other involuntary characteristics.
www.whitepower.com / www.bumfights.com / www.deathnet.com
Weapons
Sites that sell, review, or describe weapons such as guns, knives or martial arts devices, or provide information on their use, accessories, or other modifications. Does not include sites that promote collecting weapons, or groups that either support or oppose weapons use.
www.browning.com / www.winchester.com
Web Advertising
Sites that provide online advertisements or banners. These sites will always be allowed. Does not include advertising servers that serve adult-oriented advertisements.
www.adblade.com / www.netvert.biz
Web Communications
Sites that allow or offer Web-based communication via e-mail, chat, instant messaging, message boards, etc.
www.loveisblonde.com / www.lostmyhead.org
Web Hosting
Sites of organizations that provide top-level domain pages, as well as web communities or hosting services.
www.startlogic.com / www.bluehost.com / www.ixwebhosting.com
Other
Sites that cannot be rated into any other category.