P2P and instant messaging application filter: Stop inappropriate use of level of resources

The P2P and instant messaging filter lets you block the following types of connections:

• Instant messaging applications

  Instant messaging can affect the performance of internal network users. You can block connections with instant messaging and chat applications. The applications you can block are the following:

  • ICQ/AOL
  • IRC
  • MSN Messenger
    • Windows Messenger
    • MSN Messenger File Transfer
    • MSN Web Messenger
  • Yahoo! Messenger
  • Skype
  • Jabber (Google Talk)

  Each one can be blocked independently from the others.

• Peer to Peer applications

  P2P applications allow users to exchange and share files. This is a serious entry point for malware. To prevent this you can block:

  • Access to P2P servers
  • Terminal connections between P2P users (with non-server-based P2P applications)

    The P2P protocols you can block are the following:

    • BitTorrent (Azureus, BitComet, Shareaza, MlDonkey…)
    • eDonkey (eDonkey2000, MlDonkey)
    • FastTrack (Kazaa. Grokster, iMesh, MlDonkey)
    • Gnutella (BearShare, Shareaza, Casbos, LimeWire, MlDonkey…)
    • Gnutella2 (Shareaza, Trustyfiles, Kiwi Alpha, FileScope, MlDonkey…)
    • OpenNap (Napster, Lopster, Teknap, MlDonkey)

    Each one can be blocked independently from the others.

P2P and instant messaging application filtering in operation

Configuration Simply involves setting the protocols and applications to block

Level of protection You can choose the level of protection to guarantee correct use of network resources:

• Performance level. Prioritize general system performance over protection against use of the applications.
• Security level. Prioritize the protection against applications over the performance through blocked ports and protocols.
• Balance level Balance the protection with the system performance.
• Web access control: IM/P2P application restriction can be scheduled by hours.

Benefits

• Increased productivity Prevents employees from wasting time with unproductive applications.
• Optimizes bandwidth. Prevents file downloads and unproductive use of bandwidth from clogging up the network.
• Rapid Return on Investment. Prevents saturation of network resources and loss of productivity of employees. Hands-free operation minimizes administrator tasks.