Filtering
The Filtering window allows you to add rules to restrict access to programs, websites, directories, windows or resources in general. Build your list of forbidden resources easily -or use of the predefined rules- and make sure users do not open unwanted programs or waste time and resources.
Active Filters
- View: To view the list of active filters, select one satellite and open the Filtering window (Ctrl - F2).
- 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 for your reference only.
- Predefined Rule: A list of predefined rules is included for you to restrict access to particularly used programs and resources. See below.
- Rule: Definition of the object(s) affected by the filter:
- Restrict the following program: Enter the program (executable file) to be restricted/permitted.
- Restrict the following window : Enter here the title of the window to be affected.
- Restrict windows beginning with: Enter here a word or partial window title.
- Restrict windows ending with: Enter here a word or partial window title.
- Restrict windows containing: Enter here a word or partial window title.
- Exceptions: You may add filters to allow particular programs in case you don't want them to be restricted.
- Add Filter: Press the Add Filter button to contact all the selected satellites and send them the new filter.
Filtering Options
- Priority: Move the priority to highest to make sure persistent windows or applications are closed, or to make sure they are closed faster.
- Notify: Check the Warn Users box to show a message when users try to run forbidden resources.
- Save Options: Press the Save Options button at the bottom of the screen to update selected satellites.
Note to Windows Vista/Windows 7 users: elevated processes cannot be terminated.
Predefined Rules
Select a predefined rule from the New filter tab. The first two rules are:
- -- User Defined --: Select this option to create your own filters.
- Basic Security: Recommended. This rule restricts access to the Control Panel, the registry editor, the Task Manager, and other critical system settings.
The rest of the predefined rules are divided into three groups:
Content Filtering
- Online Games: This rule restricts access to flash games, browser games, online games.
- Personal Email: This rule restricts access to online email sites such as: Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail.
- Porn: This rule restricts access to porn websites.
- Recreation: This rule restricts access to web content such as Facebook, MySpace, Ebay, Twitter, funny videos, lottery, astrology.
Software Filtering
- Chat Clients: This rule restricts access to programs such as MSN, ICQ, Yahoo Messenger, Skype and many others.
- File Sharing, P2P: This rule restricts access to programs such as Emule, Bittorrent and many others.
- Installation: This rule restricts the ability to execute installation programs.
- Internet Browsers: This rule restricts access to Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, Safari and Google Chrome.
- Preferences: This rule restricts access to configuration windows on applications in general.
- Private Browsing: This rule restricts the ability to start browsers in private mode.
- Uninstallation: This rule restricts the ability to uninstall programs.
Windows Filtering
- Add-ons, Extras: This rule restricts desktop toolbars, widgets, etc.
- Confirm Dialogs: This rule restricts dialogs that appear when deleting resources, asking questions, and shutting down Windows.
- Critical Folders: This rule restricts access to critical system folders, such as System32, Windows, Program Files, and others.
- Elevation: This rule restricts the ability to elevate in order to obtain administration rights.
- Games: This rule restricts access to common Windows games.
- Multimedia: This rule restricts access to common multimedia tools.
- Network Access: This rule restricts access to network-related windows.
- System Settings: This rule restricts the ability to change system settings.
- System Tools: This rule restricts access to system tools, such as Regedit, the Task Manager, Adminitrative Tools, and others.
- Task Manager: This rule restricts access to the Task Manager.
- Update: This rule restricts the ability to use Windows Update.
Importing Data
It is possible to import a text file containing a list of filenames, window titles, etc from the Profiles window.
- Open a -new- profile (F12). Click Filtering on the left.
- Select a behavior.
- Select a rule.
- Click the Import button and open the text file containing the data.
- Each line in the file will be treated as a program, window or resource, and filters will be added using the selected rule and behavior.
Related Topics
Using Desktop Orbiter: Overview
Reports