I’ve finally found a decent list of the categories that are options to be filtered through SonicWall. If you have the Standard Content Filtering Service then you get the first 12 categories as options. When you bump up to the Premium you get to select from all the categories listed below.
If you are not sure how SonicWall rates a site you can always go to their CFS URL Rating Review Request site located at http://cfssupport.sonicwall.com/Support/web/eng/newui/viewRating.jsp and enter the site in question and it will kick back how SonicWall rates that site per it’s categories.
Content Filtering Service Premium Categories
The following provides a detailed description of the criteria used to define the Content Filtering Service Premium categories.
1. Violence/Hate/Racism
Sites that depict extreme physical harm to people or property, or that advocate or provide instructions to cause such harm. Also includes sites that advocate, depict hostility or aggression toward, or denigrate an individual or group on the basis of race, religion, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, or other involuntary characteristics.
Category Examples:
www. whitepower.com
www. bumfights.com
www. deathnet.com
2. Intimate Apparel/Swimsuit
Sites that contain images or offer the sale of swimsuits or intimate apparel or other types of suggestive clothing. Does not include sites selling undergarments as a subsection of other products offered.
Category Examples:
www. victoriassecret.com
www. fredericks.com
3. Nudism
Sites containing nude or semi-nude depictions of the human body. These depictions are not necessarily sexual in intent or effect, but may include sites containing nude paintings or photo galleries an of artistic nature. This category also includes nudist or naturist sites that contain pictures of nude individuals.
Category Examples:
www. nudistnews.com
4. Pornography
Sites that contain sexually explicit material for the purpose of arousing a sexual or prurient interest.
Category Examples:
www. playboy.com
www. bodyscapes.com
www. steakandcheese.com
www. sexed.com
www. sexuality.org
5. Weapons
Sites that sell, review, or describe weapons such as guns, knives or martial arts devices, or provide information on their use, accessories, or other modifications. Does not include sites that promote collecting weapons, or groups that either support or oppose weapons use.
Category Examples:
www. browning.com
www. weapons.com
www. shooters.com
6. Adult/Mature Content
Sites that contain material of an adult nature that does not necessarily contain excessive violence, sexual content, or nudity. These sites include profane or vulgar content and sites that are not appropriate for children.
Category Examples:
www. punchbaby.com
7. Cult/Occult
Sites that promote or offer methods, means of instruction, or other resources to affect or influence real events through the use of spells, curses, magic powers, satanic or supernatural beings.
Category Examples:
www. satannet.com
www. churchofsatan.com
8. Drugs/Illegal Drugs
Sites that promote, offer, sell, supply, encourage or otherwise advocate the illegal use, cultivation, manufacture, or distribution of drugs, pharmaceuticals, intoxicating plants or chemicals and their related paraphernalia.
Category Examples:
www. marijuana.org
www. hightimes.com
9. Illegal Skills/Questionable Skills
Sites that advocate or give advice on performing illegal acts such as service theft, evading law enforcement, fraud, burglary techniques and plagiarism. Also includes sites that provide or sell questionable educational materials, such as term papers.
Category Examples:
www. oppapers.com
www. antiessays.com
10. Sex Education
Sites that provide graphic information on reproduction, sexual development, safe sex practices, sexuality, birth control, and sexual development. Also includes sites that offer tips for better sex as well as products used for sexual enhancement.
Category Examples:
www. scarleteen.com
www. viagra.com
11. Gambling
Sites where a user can place a bet or participate in a betting pool (including lotteries) online. Also includes sites that provide information, assistance, recommendations, or training on placing bets or participating in games of chance. Does not include sites that sell gambling related products or machines. Also does not include sites for off-line casinos and hotels as long as those sites do not meet one of the previous requirements.
Category Examples:
www. gambling.com
www. casino.com
www. sportsbook.com
12. Alcohol/Tobacco
Sites that promote or offer alcohol/tobacco products for sale, or provide the means to create them. Also includes sites that glorify, tout, or otherwise encourage the consumption of alcohol/tobacco. Does not include sites that sell alcohol or tobacco as a subset of other products.
Category Examples:
www. budweiser.com
www. cigar.com
www. coors.com
13. Chat/Instant Messaging (IM)
Sites that provide chat and instant messaging capabilities or client downloads.
Category Examples:
www. web.icq.com/icqchat/
www. aim.com
14. Arts/Entertainment
Sites that promote and provide information about motion pictures, videos, television, music and programming guides, books, comics, movie theatres, galleries, artists or reviews on entertainment.
Category Examples:
www. imdb.com
www. eonline.com
www. moviephone.com
www. style.com
15. Business and Economy
Sites devoted to business firms, business information, economics, marketing, business management and entrepreneurship. This does not include sites that perform services that are defined in another category, such as Information Technology companies or travel services.
Category Examples:
www. ge.com
www. sunbeam.com
www. flipdog.com
16. Abortion/Advocacy Groups
Sites that provide information or arguments in favor of or against abortion, describe abortion procedures, offer help in obtaining or avoiding abortion, or provide information on the effects, or lack thereof, of abortion.
Category Examples:
www. gynpages.com
www. abortionfacts.com
17. Education
Sites that offer educational information, distance learning and trade school information or programs. Also includes sites that are sponsored by schools, educational facilities, faculty, or alumni groups.
Category Examples:
www. education-world.com
www. ed.gov
www. nyu.edu
19. Cultural Institutions
Sites sponsored by cultural institutions, or provide information about museums, galleries, theatres (not movie theatres). Includes groups such as 4H and the Boy Scouts of America.
Category Examples:
www. childmuseum.org
www. scouting.org
www. 4h.org
20. Online Banking
Sites that provide or advertise banking services (online or off-line) or other types of financial information, such as loans. Does not include sites that offer market information, brokerage or trading services.
Category Examples:
www. americafirst.com
www. paypal.com
21 Online Brokerage and Trading
Sites that provide or advertise trading of securities and management of investment assets (online or offline). Also includes insurance sites, as well as sites that offer financial investment strategies, quotes, and news.
Category Examples:
www. etrade.com
www. datek.com
22. Games
Sites that provide information and support game playing or downloading, video games, computer games, electronic games, tips, and advice on games or how to obtain cheat codes. Also includes sites dedicated to selling board games as well as journals and magazines dedicated to game playing. Includes sites that support or host online sweepstakes and giveaways.
Category Examples:
www. nintendo.com
www. gamespot.com
www. gamesdomain.com
23. Government
Sites sponsored by or which provide information on government, government agencies and government services such as taxation and emergency services. Also includes sites that discuss or explain laws of various governmental entities.
Category Examples:
www. whitehouse.gov
www. federalreserve.gov
24. Military
Sites that promote or provide information on military branches or armed services.
Category Examples:
www. army.mil
www. navy.mil
www. af.mil
25. Political/Advocacy Groups
Sites sponsored by or which provide information on political parties, special interest groups, or any organization that promotes change or reform in public policy, public opinion, social practice, or economic activities.
Category Examples:
www. whitehouse.com
www. texasgop.org
www. aclu.org
www. rnc.org
www. dnc.org
26. Health
Sites that provide advice and information on general health such as fitness and well-being, personal health or medical services, drugs, alternative and complimentary therapies, medical information about ailments, dentistry, optometry, general psychiatry, self-help, and support organizations dedicated to a disease or condition.
Category Examples:
www. cvs.com
www. webmd.com
27. Information Technology/Computers
Sites that sponsor or provide information on computers, technology, the Internet and technology-related organizations and companies.
Category Examples:
www. dell.com
www. microsoft.com
www. javaworld.com
28. Hacking/Proxy Avoidance Systems
Sites providing information on illegal or questionable access to or the use of communications equipment/ software, or provide information on how to bypass proxy server features or gain access to URLs in any way that bypasses the proxy server.
Category Examples:
www. anonymizer.com
www. happyhacker.org
www. phreak.com
29. Search Engines and Portals
Sites that support searching the Internet, indices and directories.
Category Examples:
www. google.com
www. yahoo.com
30. E-Mail
Sites offering Web-based e-mail services, such as online e-mail reading, e-cards, and mailing list services.
Category Examples:
www. email.com
www. hotmail.com
www. aim.com
31. Web Communications
Sites that allow or offer Web-based communication via e-mail, chat, instant messaging, message boards, etc.
Category Examples:
www. messenger.msn.com
32. Job Search
Sites that provide assistance in finding employment, and tools for locating prospective employers.
Category Examples:
www. hotjobs.com
www. monster.com
33. News and Media
Sites that primarily report information or comments on current events or contemporary issues of the day. Also includes radio stations and magazines. Does not include sites that can be rated in other categories.
Category Examples:
www. cnn.com
www. foxnews.com
www. msn.com
34. Personals and Dating
Sites that promote interpersonal relationships.
Category Examples:
www. singlelinks.com
www. lovesites.com
www. dating.com
35. Usenet News Groups
Sites that offer access to Usenet news groups or other messaging or bulletin board systems.
Category Examples:
www. newsville.com/news/groups
36. Reference
Sites containing personal, professional, or educational reference, including online dictionaries, maps, census, almanacs, library catalogues, genealogy-related sites and scientific information.
Category Examples:
www. dictionary.com
www. encarta.com
www. familysearch.org
37. Religion
Sites that promote and provide information on conventional or unconventional religious or quasi-religious subjects, as well as churches, synagogues, or other houses of worship. Does not include sites containing alternative religions such as Wicca or witchcraft (Cult/Occult) or atheist beliefs (Political/Advocacy Groups).
Category Examples:
www. catholic.net
www. gospel.com
www. lds.org
38. Shopping
Sites that provide or advertise the means to obtain goods or services. Does not include sites that can be classified in other categories such as vehicles or weapons.
Category Examples:
www. amazon.com
www. tigerdirect.com
39. Internet Auctions
Sites that support the offering and purchasing of goods between individuals. Does not include classified advertisements.
Category Examples:
www. bidfind.com
www. ebay.com
40. Real Estate
Sites that provide information on renting, buying, or selling real estate or properties.
Category Examples:
www. realtor.com
www. hud.org
41. Society and LifeStyle
Sites providing information on matters of daily life. This does not include sites relating to entertainment, sports, jobs, sex or sites promoting alternative lifestyles such as homosexuality. Also, personal home pages fall within this category if they cannot be classified in another category.
Category Examples:
www. danheller.com
www. sheafox.com
42. Gay and Lesbian Issues
Sites that provide information, promote, or cater to gay and lesbian lifestyles. Does not include sites that are sexually oriented.
Category Examples:
www. gay.com
www. waf.org
43. Restaurants and Dining
Sites that list, review, discuss, advertise, and promote food, catering, dining services, cooking and recipes.
Category Examples:
www. foodtv.com
www. zagats.com
44. Sports/Recreation
Sites that promote or provide information about spectator sports, recreational activities, or hobbies. Includes sites that discuss or promote camping, gardening, and collecting.
Category Examples:
www. espn.com
www. nba.com
www. snoweb.com
45. Travel
Sites that promote or provide opportunity for travel planning, including finding and making travel reservations, vehicle rentals, descriptions of travel destinations, or promotions for hotels or casinos.
Category Examples:
www. travelocity.com
www. luxor.com
www. orbitz.com
www. hertz.com
46. Vehicles
Sites that provide information on or promote vehicles, boats, or aircraft, including sites that support online purchase of vehicles or parts.
Category Examples:
www. autotrader.com
www. boattrader.com
www. progressive.com
47. Humor/Jokes
Sites that primarily focus on comedy, jokes, fun, etc. May include sites containing jokes of adult or mature nature. Sites containing humorous adult content also have an Adult/Mature Content rating.
Category Examples:
www. ahajokes.com
www. comedycentral.com
www. the-jokes.com
48. MP3/Streaming
Sites that sell, deliver, or stream music or video content in any format, including sites that provide downloads for such viewers.
Category Examples:
www. mp3.com
www. windowsmedia.com
www. musiccity.com
50. Freeware/Software Downloads
Sites that are dedicated to the electronic downloading of software, whether for payment or at no charge.
Category Examples:
www. tucows.com
www. download.com
51. Pay to Surf Sites
Sites that pay users in the form of cash or prizes for clicking on or reading specific links, e-mail or Web pages.
Category Examples:
www. bestfreemoneyonline.com
53. Kid Friendly
Sites designed specifically for children.
Category Examples:
www. yahooligans.com
www. playhousedisney.com
54. Advertisement
Sites that provide online advertisements or banners. These sites will always be allowed. Does not include advertising servers that serve adult-oriented advertisements.
Category Examples:
adserver.inetzone .com
webrootdisp .net
55. Web Hosting
Sites of organizations that provide top-level domain pages, as well as Web communities or hosting services.
Category Examples:
godaddy .com
webhostinggeeks .com
56. Other
Sites not fitting into any of the other categories.