The Internet Filter window allows you to add filter rules to permit or restrict internet connections.

How Does it Work

When the Internet Filter is enabled, satellites change the DNS server in the computer to bypass domain resolution. Thus, satellites decide which domains can be resolved and which cannot be resolved. Every petition to access a domain (web, ftp, email...) will be subject to the Internet Filter. If there is a rule that permits access to a particular domain, it will be resolved by using the DNS servers, which can be the original ones, or new ones: see the Options tab in the Internet Filter window.

The Internet Filter is disabled, by default.

Important

Firewall: configure your firewall to allow connections IN and OUT on the following executables:

• orbiter.exe: Desktop Orbiter main application - Control Center in the administrator's computer.
• desksat.exe: Desktop Satellite service - Satellite in remote computer
• desksatapp.exe: Desktop Satellite application - Satellite in remote computer

Websites tend to connect to multiple domains. Allowing access to just one of them may render the website partially unusable, or increase loading times. Make sure you know all the domains required to fully load a website and add them in the filter section to obtain best results.

If you don't want your DNS servers to be changed, or if you just want to stop access to webs, in particular, do not enable the Internet Filter and try using software filters instead.

Basic Usage

To disable access to every domain, and allow only the ones you want:

1. Create a new filter with Behavior = Restrict, and Rule = All Domains
2. Create new filters with Behavior = Allow, and Rule = Domains Containing: <domain-name>

Active Filters

• View: To view the list of active filters, select one satellite and open the Internet Filter window (Ctrl - F3).
• Clear: Press Clear to delete all the filters in the list.
• Delete Filter: Select one filter from the list and press Delete Filter to remove it.
• Close: Press Close to exit.

New Rule

• Description: Enter a brief filter description (purpose, etc.), for your reference only.
• Behavior: Action which will be taken when a connection meeting this filter rule is detected:
  • Restrict: Denies the connection.
  • Allow: Permits the connection.
• Rule: Definition of the object(s) affected by the filter:
  • All Domains : Every domain connection is affected.
  • The following domain: Enter here the domain to be affected, like www.anfibia.net, or www.anfibia-soft.com
  • Domains beginning with: Enter here a word or partial domain name, if you want multiple domains to be affected, like www, or www.anfibia.
  • Domains ending with: Enter here a word or partial domain name, if you want multiple domains to be affected, like .net, or soft.com
  • Domains containing: Enter here a word or partial domain name, if you want multiple domains to be affected, like anfibia.
• Add Filter: Press the Add Filter button to contact all the selected satellites and send them the new filter.

Options

By default, the Internet Filter is disabled. Use this section to activate or disable the Internet Filter, and set up the dns servers to be used.

• Internet Filter Activation: Disable/enable the Internet Filter on selected satellites. In case you don't want the satellite to bypass your dns server, you can always disable the Internet Filter here and the previous dns settings will be restored.
• DNS Server: Select one of the following options:
  • Auto-detect DNS servers: Satellites will use your dns server settings.
  • Use the following DNS servers: Satellites will ignore your dns server settings and use the ones entered in this section.

Importing Internet Filter Data

It is possible to import a text file containing a list of domains, etc from the Profiles window.

• Open a -new- profile (F12). Click Internet Filter on the left.
• Select a behavior.
• Select a rule different than All domains.
• Click the Import button and open the text file containing the data.
• Each line in the file will be treated as a domain, and internet filters will be added using the selected rule and behavior.

Windows Update

Here is some assistance in case you need to allow Windows Update connections:

• Open a profile (F12). Click Internet Filter on the left.
• Enter a description, like: Windows Update
• Select behavior = allow
• Select rule=domains containing
• Click the Import button and open WindowsUpdateDomains.txt

You may also add any extra filters, including the restrict all domains filter.

Using Desktop Orbiter: Overview
Filtering
Reports