RM Smart Cache - Blocking https sites

[jimmckenna]

Hi, any advice on how to block https sites via an RM Smart cache. Seems to be a big gap in the capability of the device particularly via google secure images. Interested to hear from other schools with RM Smart Cache. Thanks in advance!!

[Max_Power]

What version of smartcache are you on? (listed under status once logged in as manager)

 

We had a smartcache that was installed in 2007 and would only update to version 2.9.7b [9,6,10,11,7,8] which wont support https filtering.

 

I was told by RM there are more patches / updates that can be applied to a newer smartcache which will support https filtering but it wouldnt install on my model??? (hmmmmmm).

Suggest possibly logging support call to find out.

 

I on the other hand had no choice but to change to a more robust product, which I had to do anyway in order to progress with mobile devices and BYOD with transparent proxies.

[jimmckenna]

Thanks for the reply!! Our version is 2a.11 [sNU-C,17] Our "box" is LEA provided, funds prohibit a change at this moment in time. We are not an RM school any more but have to use the smart cache for the moment. Advised by LEA staff that RM are looking into this whole "https" issue!! but with no ready response or answer. However, I now am left with a gaping hole in filtering with my main concern google images via https. I picked up this issue on the smoothwall forum discussion yesterday about google secure images and tested out with a student account and was "horrified" at the images available in school. I am awaiting a response from my LEA who in turn tell me that they are awaiting a response from RM. Interested to find out what you are using now? Again thanks for the reply.

[Max_Power]

Dug out the old support call I raised about this in 2010.

 

It looks like you want to have service pack 9 installed on the smartcahce as long as it is a 2C or 2D model (post June 2006 hardware). Mine was a 2A which (was a pre May 2006 hardware) is why the update didn't work. If you have 2C or 2D model, the update should allow you to block https - according to what they told me anyway.

Not sure how you can obtain this update if you dont have support contract though.

 

Not worked in an LEA school so I am not sure of how there processes work - can you not add pressure to them to make the changes or find out a little quicker? You have a duty of care to protect students on the internet, and obviously allowing https isnt really doing that if they are or can access unsavoury things.

As a basic filter can you not create a DNS record that points to nothing? So if student tries to get to https://google it'll direct to a "page cannot be displayed"?

 

Youll find that not filtering https:// will also allow access to facebook and other unsavoury things.

 

After ditching smartcahce I went for a smoothwall solution.