Is the gateway checker working?

[#1]

Quote

Is this related in any way to Phorm, Webwise or anything of that ilk?

No, the Aladdin trial is to simply block access to sites based on certain classifications as per the blog linked earlier in this thread.

[#2]

Quote from: Chris

Quote Is this related in any way to Phorm, Webwise or anything of that ilk? No, the Aladdin trial is to simply block access to sites based on certain classifications as per the blog linked earlier in this thread.

I'm pleased that Aladdin do not intercept my traffic. 
I've had a read of their site.
I don't know how Aladdin can block access to web resources without intercepting my IP traffic, matching it against my identity and making appropriate decisions. There is no technical detail, but am I correct in assuming that it is also looking at content etc?

[#3]

No, you're incorrect.
It works a little like the IWF proxies, but without being a proxy.  There is a list of material that is categorised into various categories (adult, malware etc) and this is blocked on a per-IP (and soon a per-user) basis.
It's completely opt-in.
B.

[#4]

Quote from: Barry

No, you're incorrect. It's completely opt-in.

Glad to hear that it's going to be strictly opt-in.
The blog seemed to give the impression that it would be obligatory on all users.
In my opinion, the task of maintaining the classification of every web site, in a timely manner, will prove prohibitive.
Especially as a mis-classification is going to leave someone open to a libel accusation
The IWF effort only works because of it's quasi-governmental status, coupled with human investigation of it's blacklists (and it's much tighter focus).

[#5]

Actually, I've been on the trial for quite some time and the results are encouraging.
I've even hopped between different blocking profiles, and in the main the classification has fallen within pretty much what I expect - a couple of false positives and a couple of false negatives which were updated within hours.
I think the eventual idea is to offer it as part and parcel of a comprehensive security suite - and as a part of an overall solution I think it will fit very well.
B.