gbishop524
asked on
websense blocks itunes
our isp is using a internet filtering / censorware program called websense. my question is, is there a way to bypass websense or unblock Itunes from Websense? I'm using mac os x but many others here are using windows.
Your ISP is deciding what your company can access?
Switch ISP immediately and let them know that you will not accept such behaviour. It's your company who should decide the policy, not your ISP.
Or is this a company policy applied at your ISP? Then you should not use a proxy and stick to your company policy or risk to be fired.
J.
Switch ISP immediately and let them know that you will not accept such behaviour. It's your company who should decide the policy, not your ISP.
Or is this a company policy applied at your ISP? Then you should not use a proxy and stick to your company policy or risk to be fired.
J.
ASKER
Mike,
How would I use my iTunes through it?
How would I use my iTunes through it?
In my opinion you can't, this is only for surfing.
What holds you back to change ISP? Or is this a company policy, because we are not allowed to help you break company policies on EE.
J.
What holds you back to change ISP? Or is this a company policy, because we are not allowed to help you break company policies on EE.
J.
ASKER
not trying to break co. policy, but there is only one ISP at this remote site.
Are you trying to download the music or access it on you local HDD?
ASKER
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There are two ways to look at this.
Most likely, based on your previous post, this is a small ISP that is trying to stay off of the blacklists and stay alive. In this scenario Mike's solution will probably work. If not, do a Google search on Tor and try the onion network. NOTE: it will take some effort on your part but in the end your browsing will be truly anonymous albeit a bit slower.
Or, the ISP is using advanced technology to offer "clean" service to it's customers. Clean is a biased term and the cause for much discussion (e.g. arguments). In this case they are probably using Websense out of band with Layer 5 defenses enabled on the firewall. What this means is that the firewall first checks with Websense to see if the site is allowed, if so, on your way, if not, you are presented with a denied page of some sort. In this case using an external proxy probably won't matter because the firewall will look at the payload of your packets determine that your destination is the denied iTunes and still block you. Again, if you do hardcore Tor, your packet payload will be encrypted and this information will be considered just as if you were buying a new Dell computer (most likely allowed).
Either way, there is no quick and dirty answer to overcoming the issue except direct communication with the ISP to ask them to open the site for access. Otherwise, configuration trial and error are your next steps.
Corporately, be aware that although very useful to "check" on your business rivals, Tor can also be considered as a violation of acceptable policy. Be careful anytime that you bypass an installed security measure.
Good luck.
Most likely, based on your previous post, this is a small ISP that is trying to stay off of the blacklists and stay alive. In this scenario Mike's solution will probably work. If not, do a Google search on Tor and try the onion network. NOTE: it will take some effort on your part but in the end your browsing will be truly anonymous albeit a bit slower.
Or, the ISP is using advanced technology to offer "clean" service to it's customers. Clean is a biased term and the cause for much discussion (e.g. arguments). In this case they are probably using Websense out of band with Layer 5 defenses enabled on the firewall. What this means is that the firewall first checks with Websense to see if the site is allowed, if so, on your way, if not, you are presented with a denied page of some sort. In this case using an external proxy probably won't matter because the firewall will look at the payload of your packets determine that your destination is the denied iTunes and still block you. Again, if you do hardcore Tor, your packet payload will be encrypted and this information will be considered just as if you were buying a new Dell computer (most likely allowed).
Either way, there is no quick and dirty answer to overcoming the issue except direct communication with the ISP to ask them to open the site for access. Otherwise, configuration trial and error are your next steps.
Corporately, be aware that although very useful to "check" on your business rivals, Tor can also be considered as a violation of acceptable policy. Be careful anytime that you bypass an installed security measure.
Good luck.
ASKER
mike and ice,
thanks for the sugestions. I will try them. The issue is bandwidth.
There are more than a dozen sites run here and this is the only one with this problem. The onsite IT guy complains about pipeline size despite larger sites (personel wise) with the same pipeline size having fewer problems and slow downs. This is not a corporate policy, in fact the corporate heads have complained about it on their few visits but once they go back home then out of site out of mind. he was spoken to but they can't find a replacement. I mention this because of earlier postings about corporate policy and wanted to put all at ease. This is a single personality/control problem.
thanks for the sugestions. I will try them. The issue is bandwidth.
There are more than a dozen sites run here and this is the only one with this problem. The onsite IT guy complains about pipeline size despite larger sites (personel wise) with the same pipeline size having fewer problems and slow downs. This is not a corporate policy, in fact the corporate heads have complained about it on their few visits but once they go back home then out of site out of mind. he was spoken to but they can't find a replacement. I mention this because of earlier postings about corporate policy and wanted to put all at ease. This is a single personality/control problem.
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ASKER
JB
apriciate the assist but all 3 sites were blocked. he is tennacious. Could really use help on this.
thanks
apriciate the assist but all 3 sites were blocked. he is tennacious. Could really use help on this.
thanks
Have you tried to get to the sites from your house? Lots of sites of this type are blocked by Websence program; the only way to get to them is through the proxy re-director site. GotomyPC.com is a GREAT program and I have used it before as well...like it a lot. That being said, you should try to get to the sites like MegaProxy, GotomyPC, Behidden from another internet source not your work network. Also you might want to check with your on-site IT guy to see if your web surfing is going through a proxy server on your end, as that can also complicate access as well.
You said that there are other sites that are not having this problem? Maybe you could set up a vpn connection or remote desktop to the other site (are they on a lan? wan?).
How about wifi? maybe you have an unsecured wireless network in your area. I have 5 in my home. Free internet is a wonderful thing.
My only other suggestion at this point would be a mobile device such as the Helio, sidekick, or another smartphone of that sort. You may even be able to find one compatible with itunes.
How about wifi? maybe you have an unsecured wireless network in your area. I have 5 in my home. Free internet is a wonderful thing.
My only other suggestion at this point would be a mobile device such as the Helio, sidekick, or another smartphone of that sort. You may even be able to find one compatible with itunes.
I am still interested in the outcome...I would like to know which solution was the one that worked so I am able to add this to my personal knowledgebase.
Thanks
mike_hubble
Thanks
mike_hubble
ASKER
Sorry for the delay in getting back My HDD failed and I had to wait til I got back to the states to get it fixed.
The proxy server seemed to be the route. most of the sites were blocked and I was able to get to and download a product called "Netshade". and it seems to be working.
Thanks for all of the help.
The proxy server seemed to be the route. most of the sites were blocked and I was able to get to and download a product called "Netshade". and it seems to be working.
Thanks for all of the help.
It is a subscription based ISP that allows you to connect to "off limit" sites on the internet. You need to know that if you company has blocked the sites then USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. As always if you have need then use the tools at hand to get the job done, but also follow up with the policy makers to get a more permanent fix put in place.