Background
Several technologies are in use that may block your access to certain websites while on the Pacific University network or while using a university-owned computer. Website blocking is not used to censor any particular ideas or topics for students or employees. Blocking is done for the sole purpose of protecting devices from accessing fraudulent websites or from websites with malware.
Web Browser Blocking
The built-in security features of most web browsers will block access to websites that appear to be fraudulent. This typically is because the name and credentials a website identifies itself with cannot be verified. Web browsers generally give one the ability to ignore the warning and proceed to the website. Please consult with the Helpdesk before choosing to proceed to a blocked website.
FortiGuard Web Filtering
Employee and student networks on campus are protected by FortiGuard, one of our security providers, from accessing webpages which FortiGuard has classed in categories we consider to be potentially harmful. A blocked webpage will show text such as:
FortiGuard Intrusion Prevention - Access Blocked
Web Page Blocked
You have tried to access a web page that is in violation of your Internet usage policy.
Category: Malicious Websites
FortiGuard will also, in very rare cases, block access to a site that utilizes a non-standard port.
If you think the website you are trying to access has been miscategorized, submit a request to Fortiguard using the link provided (e.g. "To have the rating of this web page re-evaluated please click here"). Alternately, you can go to https://www.fortiguard.com/webfilter and look up the website, then click the link reading "Request a Review" and fill out the following form. FortiGuard will review the site and respond and modify the classification if the threat is no longer present.
The Technology Helpdesk also asks FortiGuard to reclassify sites that are used in phishing and malware attacks on members of the university community, when those sites come to our attention, if those sites are not already blocked.
Public Facing Computers & Networks
The BoxerGuest network blocks access to additional categories of websites that are not blocked within the internal network. The same is true of some computers on campus that are accessible by the public.
See Also
Questions?
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