Rawstream is a cloud-based web filtering product with no software to install.? While it is far from the only web filtering solution out there, Rawstream has just come out in beta which makes this a good time to give it a try to see if it might be a solution for your small or medium-sized business.??? Rawstream supports Windows and Mac operating systems, but not Linux.
There are several advantages to using web filtering solutions like Rawstream.? Web filtering can help businesses block the use of unwanted websites as well as monitor the use of their business? internet connection and reduce bandwidth usage.? Depending on the type of business, web filtering can also help with regulatory requirements.? Company production can increase when employees are not wasting time on websites that have no business value.
Rawstream Setup
When I registered to receive Rawstream for a trial period for the purpose of this review, I was led? through a four-step setup process.? From this process, I came to several conclusions.? First, since it is currently only available in beta, there will likely be changes made to the product in the future.? Secondly, although this web filtering solution is geared to small and medium-sized businesses, some of the configuration components in the four-step process will be beyond the technical abilities of businesses that do not have tech people on their staff.? Solutions like this should be as simple as possible for the customer to install themselves.
At this time, Rawstream is based on the use of their DNS servers so businesses will need to either configure their gateway routers or individual computers.? Also, depending on whether a business has a static? or dynamic IP will determine how Rawstream will have to be set up to filter your business internet traffic.? If the internet service provider that is used by the business does not force the use of their own DNS servers, it is a simple process of making changes to the DNS servers used by the gateway router.? I say simple from the tech perspective, but this may still be an issue for some small and medium-sized businesses.? Any time changes are made on the router, technical assistance may be required unless the internet service provider? provides a dynamic IP.?? This then requires the configuration of each individual computer using either the Windows agent or the Windows VB Script depending on the version of Windows and the .NET framework? installed on the computer.
Although the Windows agent does not appear to be too difficult to set up, the Windows VB Script is more technical than most small and medium-sized businesses can handle on their own.? I think the use of one Windows Agent that can be installed on any Windows computer would be the easiest for most businesses to set up.? Rawstream does not provide an agent to configure Mac?s -? a feature that the company should consider adding in the future .
In my opinion, Rawstream contains too many setup methods for a small or medium-sized business to choose from.? It would be easy for any business to get confused on what method to use and end up getting frustrated with the configuration process if things did not work the first time around.? The Rawstream configuration documentation and setup process states many times ?depending on your network? which can be confusing if the business is not technically savvy.
Conclusions
In the end, I would say Rawstream?s setup process should be simplified for the small or medium-sized business to configure their hardware whether they have a gateway router, firewall, or individual computers.? Secondly, if individual computers must be configured due to the network setup, I would recommend the use of a Windows and Mac agent that can easily be installed and configured (drop the use of the VB Script agent process).? Lastly, as the product continues to be developed, the documentation should improve to make it is easier for customers to understand the different configuration methods for their individual network setups.? As it is now, customers without a tech background may find the process confusing and frustrating.
When a web filtering solution is needed, cloud web filtering will work well for most small and medium-sized businesses.? Keep an eye on Rawstream ? I think as it develops, it will become a good business solution.? Also, as an added incentive to try it, signing up to be a beta tester for the product now enters you to win a $1000 Amazon voucher.
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Source: http://www.businesssecurityinformation.com/2012/07/rawstream-cloud-web-filtering-review/
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