How to Configure and Use the URL Filter

To block broader access to a category of websites, you can enable the URL filter in your firewall and application policy rules. When the user connects to a website, the Barracuda NextGen Firewall X-Series compares the URL against a large online database.  You can allow or block access website to based on predefined URL categories and define exceptions to exclude single websites from being blocked or allowed.

Step 1. Create an URL Policy

Create URL policy objects to specify the URL categories that you want to allow or block. You can define exceptions to these categories by explicitly entering the URL of websites that you want to always allow or block.

For instructions, see URL Policy Objects.

Step 2.  Enable the URL Filter in the Firewall Access Rule

If you want to use the URL filter in combination with application control, enable it in the firewall access rule.

1. Go to the FIREWALL > Firewall Rules page.
2. Create or edit a firewall access rule for the connections that you want to apply the URL filter to (e.g., INTERNET-2-LAN).
3. In the access rule settings, enable Application Control and URL Filter. 
   
4. (Optional) Enable SSL Inspection if you want to filter SSL-encrypted traffic.
5. Click Save.

Step 3. Configure an Application Policy Rule to Use the URL Filter Policy

You can create an application policy to just filter based on the selected URL policy or you can combine application control and the matching URL policy in a single application policy rule.

1. Go to the FIREWALL > Application Policy page.
2. Click Add Policy Rule or edit an existing application policy rule.
3. Enter a Name.
4. Select the URL Filter you want to use.
   

   

5. Click Save. 
6. (Optional) Reorder the application policies and click Save.