This article applies to:
- WebMarshal 6.12 and above
Question:
- How do I update the "Read Only - Facebook" rule to work with current Facebook functionality?
Information:
The default rule "Read-only Access - Facebook" that was provided in earlier WebMarshal versions is obsolete, due to changes in the Facebook site.
WebMarshal 6.12 includes a new default rule that enforces similar limits.
If you have upgraded to version 6.12 or above, you can edit the existing rule.
The new rule is defined as follows:
Read-only Access - Facebook (disabled by default)
Prevents users from posting data to Facebook, including timeline, other users' timeline, life events, and private messages. Does not block Likes. Allows read-only access to Facebook.
USAGE: You may need to update the “Social Networking - Read Only” URL Category periodically for this rule to maintain effectiveness. This rule does not restrict chat, image posting, or apps. Enable the other rules in this container for those purposes.
NOTE: HTTPS Content Inspection MUST be enabled and www.facebook.com MUST be inspected for this rule to work.
When a web request is received for upload
For any users
And where the URL is a member of Social Networking - Read Only
And where the file type is FORMTXT
Block the file and display Blocked page
Or abort the download of this file and display FileAborted page
And do not process any further content analysis rules
The URL category "Social Networking - Read Only" contains the following URLs:
https://www.facebook.com/ajax/create/event/submit/
https://www.facebook.com/ajax/edit/event/submit/
https://www.facebook.com/ajax/mercury/
https://www.facebook.com/ajax/timeline/
https://www.facebook.com/ajax/updatestatus.php
https://www.facebook.com/ufi/add/comment/
https://www.facebook.com/ufi/edit/comment/
Notes:
- This rule depends on a new feature in WebMarshal 6.12 (URL category entries can include a specific file name). The rule as described will not work in versions before 6.12.
- This rule applies to the main Facebook site only and not to any mobile apps or mobile site versions.
- You can block additional Facebook functionality using similar rules.
- To investigate the URLs used for various site functions, enable WebMarshal Traffic Logging, perform the particular actions on the Facebook site, and review the Traffic Log files to see the URLs for each request.