Web filtering - frequently asked questions
How to block and unblock websites
- How do I submit a request to block and unblock websites?
- How can I block student of staff access to particular websites for our school only?
- I'm not a school staff member, and my business website is blocked at schools. What can I do?
Recognising a web filtering block
- My block pages have changed - what's happening?
- I tried to access a website and some of the content is not appearing, why?
- I'm not seeing a DETE block page but I still can't access the webpage, why?
- Why are some websites being blocked between 8am-4pm at school?
- I want access to
Other technical issues
- Why can't I download media files?
- How do I change a device's filtering level to high or medium?
- How do I give 'temporary access' to staff at my school?
- Google Safe Search
General web filtering information
How to block and unblock websites
How do I submit a request to block or unblock websites?
The blocking and unblocking process differs between students and staff.
For student information, head to the Web Filtering for Students page.
For staff, any request to block URLs should be sent to the MIS Administrator for review.
Information is also available on the new unblock process for staff, including the new look block pages.
How can I block student or staff access to particular websites for our school only?
Through the MIS Portal, schools can restrict access to websites by blocking specific:
- website URLs, by placing them into the custom categories list (several lists can be created)
- search terms, by placing them into the custom categories list
- categories, by choosing the categories on the School Filters list
- use one of the three default custom category links as well as being able to create their own custom categories.
Through the categories option, schools can block websites by Year levels. For example, the filtering category 'Shopping Merchandising' is allowed globally. Schools can block websites in this category for Years Prep to 6 and make it available only to Year 7 students.
I'm not a school staff member, and my business website is blocked at schools. What can I do?
If schools report your business website is blocked, you should ask the school to submit a request to the department's Filtering team via the Service Centre, who will review the site and action the request.
Recognising a web filtering block
My block pages have changed - what's happening?
Information is available on the new unblock process for staff, which introduces the new look block pages.
I tried to access a website and some of the content is not appearing, why?
When accessing a website some content may remain inaccessible because the website developers have provided insufficient information within the site about its content and purpose.
As a result, the website and content may only be partially displayed.
I'm not seeing a DETE block page but I still can't access the webpage, why?
Access to websites is not always restricted by the web filtering system.
Often you are presented with other error messages; some of the more common messages are listed below.
Take a screen shot of the web page and error message, raise a Service Centre job, upload the screen shot as an attachment and ask them to investigate.
Message |
Description |
Solution |
Network Access Message: The page cannot be displayed |
You have been denied access to the webpage due to a technical/permission issue. |
DETE Network Access Denied messages. Follow the instructions provided on the page.
|
Error 401 and Error 403 - Unauthorised |
You can't access a website because you're not on the guest list, your password is invalid or you have entered your password incorrectly. |
Become a member or check you have typed your password correctly. |
Error 503 - Service not available |
Your Internet service provider (ISP) or your Internet connection may be down. |
The internet service is down so log a call through Service Centre Web. |
Why are some websites being blocked between 8am-4pm at school?
This is called Timed Access. This was recently introduced to cut down on unnecessary bandwidth usage to make key curriculum resources available at a faster internet speed.
I want access to
www.youtube.com
While staff can access YouTube, students cannot. If you are a teacher and cannot access YouTube, see your MIS administrator as it may be blocked at the school level.
Students can access YouTube when they connect outside the school grounds over a private or public internet connection - provided they have medium level filtering and parental consent.
www.schoolies.com
The schoolies website is not available to students. This follows a Director-General directive.
The schoolies website is accessible to staff. When necessary, a teacher can copy the required material to the school server so that the students can access it.
Other technical issues
Why can't I download media files?
Ask your school's MIS administrator or ICT technician to check:
- that you have the right media player installed
- the category is not blocked at the school level
- a word string is not preventing access (e.g. *mp3*; *swf*; *fla*)
- other controls are downloaded as required such as Active X, QuickTime or Java.
How do I change a device's filtering level to high or medium?
Once parental permission has been granted, the MIS Administrator can make this change to the device's filtering level in the MIS Portal.
Using the MIS Portal:
- go to Administration tab
- Manage User tab
- Change details tab
At the bottom of this page you will see 'Proxy Client Filter Level' with radio buttons for Medium and High.
Select the level of filtering that you require.
When you have made your selection in the MIS Portal the desired filter level will be automatically retrieved by the device when it next checks in for a policy, alternatively this can be performed immediately by:
- Having the student log onto the machine using their credentials (The change will not take effect if the student credentials are not used for this step)
- Once the student has logged in, go to the start menu
- Click All Programs and select 'Blue Coat Proxy Client'
- Open the 'Proxy Client'.
- The Proxy Client user interface will open
- Choose the 'Advanced' Tab
- Under the Software Update click the 'check for updates now'. This will force the machine to check for updates for proxy client and ensure that the filtering level has been changed.
- Under the 'Client Manager' you will see the level of filtering on the machine "pcm-high/medium.eq.edu.au".
If the student exists in OAMPS, the filter level in OAMPS will be updated to reflect the level set in the MIS Portal. Likewise, if the filtering level is changed in OAMPS, the filter level will be updated in the MIS Portal.
How do I give 'temporary access' to staff at my school?
Once the principal has given permission for a staff member to have 'temporary access' the MIS administrator can action this using the MIS Portal.
- go to Administration tab
- Manage User tab
- Change details tab
- Tick the box next to 'Content Filtering Temporary Access'
Google Safe Search
Google 'Safe Search' is enforced across our network.
General web filtering information
Proxy websites
If you identify a proxy site that slips through the filter system, request that the proxy site is blocked globally by sending the website URL to the Service Centre using the Global Filters online request form. This form can be accessed using the administration tools in the MIS Portal.
Purchasing website subscriptions
Before buying a subscription to a website or obtaining this subscription as part of a bundled product purchase, ensure the website is accessible within the MIS filtering environment and that the software it uses is accredited by the Government Information Technology Conditions (GITC). To do that, contact the Service Centre (DETE staff only).
Personal webpages and web hosting sites
Some staff and students are using free or purchased web hosting sites to upload files, lessons and course materials outside the DETE firewalls.
The department cannot guarantee the security of materials uploaded on these websites. All Education Queensland teachers should use the web space provided inside the MIS or the Learning Place to host files, lessons and course materials.
Staff and student users with permission to have personal web space inside the MIS are allocated 5MB of space by default. These permissions are managed by schools. Each school's MIS administrator can increase the size of the space allocation if required.
If school web space requirements exceed the new quotas, schools may purchase additional space. Use the "request something" form in Service Centre Online (DETE staff only) to arrange an increase in web quota for your school.
