The WebSafe system, which uses URL filtering at the network level, checks against blacklists containing predefined web pages known to harbor illicit or harmful content. It particularly focuses on illegal materials such as child pornography, which Allot said will help service providers to protect themselves legally should customers try to access such content.
The web filtering system is designed to be updatable with lists of URLs from external sources such as law enforcers. Allot also joined the Internet Watch Foundation, the UK's self policing organization for fighting online shop pornography. The IWF maintains its own list of URLs known to harbor such material, and Allott will be contributing to that list.
WebSafe is updated in real time, and centrally controlled via Allot's NetXplorer Management Suite.
The WebSafe web filtering service will be provided as part of the Allot Service Gateway, which is a hardware-based deep packet inspection device designed to help broadband operators understand subscriber and application behavior.