How to Block URL using App Rules

To be able to block URLs, a new Match Object Type called HTTP URL. When HTTP URL is selected, Match Object Content must be a full URL with the hostname and the URI separated by a "/"(i.e. youtube.com/SonicWall)

If there is no URI part in the URL, the URL must be terminated by a "/" (e.g. youtube.com/).

Match Type can be:

• Partial
• Exact
• Suffix
• Prefix
• Regex.

This KB describes how to block URLs using the example of the following YouTube and Yahoo Groups URLs:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=btsGDHO_4lU
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlDqcmY_EV8
groups.yahoo.com/neo

NOTE: HTTP URL is only available for use in an App Rule policy with Policy Type selected as HTTP Client.
The following solution will not work if the traffic is over HTTPS unless DPI-SSL is enabled.

Resolution for SonicOS 7.X

This release includes significant user interface changes and many new features that are different from the SonicOS 6.5 and earlier firmware. The below resolution is for customers using SonicOS 7.X firmware.

Create a Match Object for URLs to be blocked

1. Click on Add in OBJECT | Match Objects | Match Objects again to open the Add/Edit Match Object window.
2. Enter a name for the match object.
3. Select HTTP URL under Match Object Type
4. Select Match Type as Partial Match
5. Set Input Representation as Alphanumeric
6. Under Content, enter the full URL of the page you want excluded. Here we have added the URLs listed above.
7. Click on Add after each entry.
8. Click on Save.
   

Create App Rules policy

1. Navigate to POLICY | Rules & Policies | | App Rules
2. Enable the check-box Enable App Rules.
3. Click on the Add Rule button to open the Edit App Control Policy window.
4. Enter the following information and click on OK.\

Resolution for SonicOS 6.5

This release includes significant user interface changes and many new features that are different from the SonicOS 6.2 and earlier firmware. The below resolution is for customers using SonicOS 6.5 firmware.

Create a Match Object for URLs to be blocked

1. Navigate to Manage | Policies | Objects| Match Objects. Then click Add to open Match Object window.
2. Enter a name for the match object.
3. Select HTTP URL under Match Object Type
4. Select Match Type as Partial
5. Set Input Representation as Alphanumeric
6. Under Content, enter the full URL of the page you want excluded. Here we have added the URLs listed above.
7. Click on Add after each entry.
8. Click on OK to save.
   

Create App Rules policy

1. Navigate to the Manage | Policies | Rules | Application Control page.
2. Enable the check-box Enable App Rules.
3. Click on the Add | App Control Policy Settings window.
4. Enter the following information and click on OK.