News Highlights

Symantec Acquires Blue Coat

Effective August 1, 2016, Blue Coat Systems, Inc. was acquired by Symantec Corporation. The combined company is in a strong leadership position to define the future of cybersecurity and set the pace for innovation industrywide.

What this means for you:

Americas:

For existing K9 users in the Americas, your K9 Personal Use License Agreement or K9 Commercial Use License Agreement with Blue Coat Systems, Inc. was assigned to Symantec Corporation effective September 1, 2016. All references to Blue Coat Systems, Inc. as a contracting entity are deemed references to Symantec Corporation and your ongoing contractual relationship is with Symantec Corporation. Symantec Corporation has assumed all of the rights and responsibilities of Blue Coat under your agreement and will continue to offer the K9 products and support on which you rely. Your continued use of K9 products or services under the terms acts as confirmation of your agreement to the assignment.

Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia & Pacific:

For existing K9 users outside the Americas, your K9 Commercial Use License Agreement or (as applicable) your K9 Personal Use License Agreement with Blue Coat Systems International SARL will be assigned to the Symantec entity identified below effective May 21, 2017. All references to Blue Coat Systems International SARL as a contracting entity shall be deemed references to the Symantec entity and your ongoing contractual relationship will be with the applicable Symantec entity identified below. Symantec will assume all of the rights and responsibilities of Blue Coat under your agreement and will continue to offer the K9 products and support on which you rely. Your continued use of K9 products or services under the terms will act as confirmation of your agreement to the assignment.

The applicable Symantec entity shall be as follows: (a) Symantec Limited, if you are located in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) region; (b) Symantec Limited, if you are located in China; (c) Symantec Japan, Inc. if you are located in Japan; (d) Symantec Corporation if you are located in Thailand; or (e) Symantec Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. if you are located in the APAC (Asia, Pacific) region other than in Japan, China, or Thailand.

FAQs:

I’m an existing K9 user. Do I need to take any action in light of this change?

No, you may continue to use K9 as you always have.

Will there be any changes to how K9 functions on my computer or mobile device?

No, all K9 functionality will remain the same. We will continue to offer you product updates as we always have.

I’m an existing K9 commercial user. Will this change my commercial license fees or how I make payment?

No, you will continue to receive payment notices from Paypal. You may, however, notice changes in the description in your Paypal notice, such as referencing Symantec Corporation.

Do I now need to call Symantec Corporation if I am having a product support problem?

There will be no immediate changes to your support resources. Please see the K9 website at https://k9.symantec.com/support/overview for all your support needs.

K9 for iOS Updated

March 7, 2013 - We have just released a new version of the K9 Browser for iOS. This release adds support for the 4-inch iPhone 5 and iPod Touch screens and improves performance.

In addition, this release includes search field autocomplete.

Download this latest browser release from the App Store at http://tinyurl.com/k9browser

New K9 Beta for Desktop

March 5, 2013 - We have released a new beta version of K9 for both Windows and OS X operating systems today. This release adds full support for Windows 8, including Windows 8 "Metro" apps.

The beta version also includes additional configuration options, improved filtering, compatibility with more Antivirus and Firewall vendors, and fixes a few bugs

Another new feature that may be of particular interest to YouTube users is a new experimental Advanced YouTube Filtering option, which allows for filtering on a video-by-video basis rather than the previous site-wide YouTube filter. For more details on this feature, read this article

Download the latest release today:
Windows: http://download.k9webprotection.com/k9-webprotection-beta.exe
Mac: http://download.k9webprotection.com/k9-webprotection-beta.dmg

For additional details about this release please go to http://www1.k9webprotection.com/getk9/release-notes

K9 for Android Updated

March 4, 2013 - We just released another update to K9 for Android today - which improves performance, extends device support, and fixes many bugs.

K9 Browser for Android version 1.1.92 is now supported on the Kindle Fire HD, as well as the Samsung Galaxy S3 devices.

We have also worked hard to close some of the loopholes which previously allowed users to bypass K9 on their mobile device.

Update today to the latest version from Google Play - http://tinyurl.com/k9android.

If you are using K9 on a Kindle Fire, you must manually update by following the instructions at http://tinyurl.com/k9kindle.

Huffington Post CA Recommends K9

"Somewhere along the line Blue Coat decided to put their enterprise-level content filtering technology to work to protect our children. Bravo, Blue Coat."

"K9 is as good as it gets in providing a simple to install tool that restricts access to the bad stuff out there -- pornography, hate sites, gambling, you get it."

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/larry-keating/protecting-kids-online-canada_b_2516785.html

K9 for Android named 'Best Mobile Security App'

PC Mag has recently included K9 Web Protection Browser on it's list of "Best Mobile Security Apps", commenting:

The veteran in desktop Internet filtering just released its first Android app, a free Firefox-based browser that blocks malware and offensive content...if you don't want to pay a dime this is one way to go.

K9 Web Protection Browser for Android is available from the Google Play store.

More information about K9 Web Protection Browser for Android:

The #1 free parental controls and internet filter desktop software is now available for Android as a safe browser for your family.

Backed by Blue Coat Systems' leading web filtering and content control technology, your children will receive the same protection trusted by Fortune 500 companies around the world.

Firefox-based Browser

• Screen Rotation
• Pinch and Zoom
• URL History
• Multiple Tabs
• Print
• Safe Search
• Bookmarks

Blocks Adult and Potentially Offensive Sites

• Pornography
• Open Image/Media Search
• Extreme
• Adult/Mature Content
• Nudity
• Intimate Apparel/Swimsuit
• Violence/Hate/Racism

Filters Potentially Malicious Sites

• Phishing
• Proxy Avoidance
• Spyware/Malware Sources
• Spyware Effects
• Suspicious

Stops Potentially Illegal Sites

• Hacking
• Illegal/Questionable
• Illegal Drugs
• Peer-to-Peer
• Gambling

Prevents Access to Parent-Child Discussion Topics

• Abortion
• Sex Education
• Alternative Sexuality/Lifestyles
• Personals/Dating

For descriptions of the categories, visit http://sitereview.bluecoat.com

More information about K9 Web Protection for Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android is available at http://www.k9webprotection.com

K9 Browser for iOS Featured in New York Times

K9 Web Protection Browser for iOS was featured in a New York Times article today entitled “Safeguarding a Child’s Mobile Device From Pornography”. In addition to the prominent mention in the text of the article, a large graphic of the K9 Browser was included in their online and printed version of the paper. Here’s the online link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/12/technology/personaltech/guarding-a-chi...

Blue Coat is excited to provide safe browsing technology to home users for free. Millions of users worldwide have protected themselves and their families with K9 Web Protection for Windows, Mac and iOS.

K9 for iPhone, iPad, iPod Now Available!

SUNNYVALE, Calif., January 12, 2011 – Blue Coat Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: BCSI), a leading provider of Web security and WAN optimization solutions, today introduced the K9™ Web Protection Browser for iOS, a free, downloadable, family-safe Web browser for Apple iPads, iPhones and Web-enabled iPod Touch devices. The browser provides immediate and highly accurate protection from content that is not appropriate for young children, including pornography, hate/violence, illegal drugs and gambling. In addition, the browser protects against phishing and malware. It is simple to install and use.

“With the popularity of iPad, iPod Touch and iPhone mobile devices as gifts for children this holiday season, the door is wide open for them to fall victim to the dangers of the Internet,” said Steve Daheb, chief marketing officer and senior vice president, Blue Coat Systems. “The K9 Web Protection Browser leverages the power and intelligence of Blue Coat’s leading Web security technology to keep children and families safe online wherever they access the Internet.”

As with Blue Coat’s K9 Web Protection software for PC and Mac computers, the K9 Web Protection Browser uses the company’s cloud-based WebPulse™ service that provides users with up-to-the-moment protection from objectionable content and threats, including phishing, malware and malicious content. The WebPulse service also continually categorizes new and evolving Web content, giving parents the ability to immediately block objectionable material. The WebPulse service is driven by the real-time Web experience of over 70 million users around the world so that it can quickly find and identify new content and block the latest sources of objectionable content, phishing and malware sites. For example, on a typical day the WebPulse service identifies over 110,000 pages of new or previously uncategorized pornography and adult content.

The K9 Web Protection Browser runs in the place of Safari or other browsers that lack content controls necessary to keep children and families safe online. As with K9 Web Protection for PC and Mac computers, Blue Coat provides the K9 Web Protection Browser free of charge to families and individuals as a community service.

The K9 Web Protection Browser is available as a free download from the Apple iTunes App Store here: http://itunes.apple.com/app/k9-web-protection-browser/id407657840

Teens online: Easy prey for cyberstalkers

San Francisco Examiner

By Randi Rosen
September 3, 2009

Where adults generally are more aware and fearful of identity theft crimes and online safety issues, unsuspecting teens are less inhibited about revealing personal information.

Read full article »

Blue Coat K9 Web Protection Exceeds One Million Installs

Blue Coat Leverages Enterprise Security Expertise to Provide Parents with Peace of Mind

SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 6, 2009– Blue Coat Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: BCSI), the technology leader in Application Delivery Networking, today announced that its free K9® Web Protection software has surpassed one million downloads by parents and other consumers seeking protection from Web-based malware and offensive content.

Read full article »

BYU-Idaho Suggesting Web Filters For Students

By Aman Chabra, Local News 8 Reporter

Brigham Young University-Idaho is known for encouraging its students to strive for a higher moral standard.

The school continues to live up to its reputation. The administration recently encouraged students to download a piece of internet filtering software to their personal computers.

Read full article »

K9 Web Protection: How to keep the kids safe online.

by Jason Whittaker, PC Advisor

Of the various perils that face the intrepid contemporary web explorer, one of the greatest is the one faced by parents: what are their children looking at and who are they communicating with online?

Read full article »

Beyond Parental Controls: Tips for helping kids of all ages and Macs mix safely.

by Christopher Breen, Macworld.com

Configured correctly, Parental Controls are remarkably effective. But you may want to do more. Your next steps depend on how strict you want to be and how much you trust your children. Beyond talking to them, there are several ways to allow them access to the online world while retaining some control.

Read full article »

Blue Coat Joins Family Online Safety Institute to Protect Kids in the Web 2.0 World

SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 27, 2008 - Blue Coat Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: BCSI), the leader in WAN Application Delivery and Secure Web Gateway, today announced it has joined The Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI), an international non-profit organization dedicated to identifying and promoting best practices, tools and methods for online safety as a corporate member.

Read full article »

Expo Notes: Another Web site-filtering option

by Scholle Sawyer McFarland, Macworld, 1/18/08

Mac parents worried about the more nefarious side of Web haven’t had many options for controlling what their kids see online. But as of this week, they have a new—and free—tool to check out. Security company Blue Coat released a public beta of its full-featured Internet filtering software, K9 Web Protection at Macworld Expo.

Read full article »

Why are Windows products moving to Apple's Mac OS?

By Jacqueline Emigh, BetaNews, 1/17/08

Although you can run Windows applications on Apple's Leopard anyway, many vendors at Macworld are debuting Mac OS editions of products originally designed for Windows.

Read full article »

Blue Coat Announces Free Web Filtering Software to Safeguard Families with Macintosh Computers

Blue Coat K9 Web Protection to Support Mac OS and Provide Enhanced User Interface and Expanded Options for Safe Web Search

MACWORLD, SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., January 15, 2008 - Blue Coat Systems (Nasdaq: BCSI), the leader in WAN Application Delivery and Secure Web Gateway, today announced the beta release of the next version of its award-winning K9 Web Protection Internet filtering software that will, for the first time, run on Macintosh computers. The new release also introduces key features, including expanded safe search engine support and a redesigned user interface for improved administrative management and feedback capabilities. K9 Web Protection is offered through the Blue Coat Community Outreach Program (www.k9webprotection.com) which provides materials and resources to educate Internet parents about the impact of the Internet on children and on parenting strategies.

Read full article »

SECURITY STARTER KIT

By Seth Rosenblatt, CNET, 12/24/07

With a new year comes new computers, and that means new security problems. Viruses, spyware, rootkits, hackers--a fresh machine can be susceptible to the most insidious of plots. Lucky for you, here in the CNET Download.com defense bunker, we've devised a list of essential and free top-rated security programs to protect the honor of your computer and ensure that your sanity will last longer than your resolutions.

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Blue Coat Adds Anti-Phishing Technology to K9 Web Protection

Just in Time for the Holidays, Award-Winning Internet Filtering Software Now Helps Protect Children and Families from Online Fraud, Thievery, and Identity Theft

SUNNYVALE, Calif., December 4, 2007 -Blue Coat Systems (Nasdaq: BCSI), a leader in WAN Application Delivery and Secure Web Gateway, today announced that its award-winning K9 Web Protection Internet filtering software now offers real-time phishing protection against online fraud, thievery and identity theft. K9 Web Protection now incorporates the same Blue Coat Real-Time Anti-Phishing protection technology recently introduced in Blue Coat's enterprise-class WebFilterTM product, making it the first consumer Internet filtering software that can warn users about brand new or previously undiscovered phishing Websites by using a real-time rating capability.

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Blue Coat’s John Carosella to Speak at Family Online Safety Institute Annual Conference

Conference theme Rights and Responsibility: Child Protection in a Web 2.0 World provides platform for Carosella to discuss Internet parenting in the 21st Century

SUNNYVALE, Calif., November 26, 2007 -Blue Coat Systems (Nasdaq: BCSI), a leader in WAN Application Delivery and Secure Web Gateway, today announced John Carosella, vice president of content control, will participate in a discussion roundtable titled "What methods and messages do we need to effectively reach parents, teachers and children?" at the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) Annual Conference in Washington, DC. The conference will be held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on Thursday, December 6, 2007.

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Blue Coat and New York State PTA to Raise Awareness on Child Internet Safety

Joint initiative launched to educate members, parents and community on the impact of Internet dangers

SUNNYVALE, Calif., November 5, 2007 -Blue Coat Systems (Nasdaq: BCSI), a leader in WAN Application Delivery and Secure Web Gateway, today announced a joint Internet Parenting initiative with the New York State Parent Teachers Association (PTA) to inform and educate its members, parents and communities state-wide on how to create a safe, family-friendly Internet environment both inside and outside of the home. Through Blue Coat's Community Outreach Program, the New York State PTA will distribute the necessary materials and resources to the designated audiences, including the Blue Coat® K9 Web Protection filter. The National Cyber Security Alliance and the Department of Homeland Security have designated October as Cyber Security Awareness Month, encouraging the public to practice safe online behaviors.

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Blue Coat Teams with Austin Habitat for Humanity to Train Families in Online Safety & Internet Parenting

Blue Coat Systems Provides K9 Web Protection, Training and Resources to Low-Income Families Receiving Computers with Their New Homes

SUNNYVALE, Calif., July 5, 2007 – Blue Coat Systems (Nasdaq: BCSI), the leader in secure content and application delivery, today announced it is working with the Austin, Texas affiliate of Habitat for Humanity to educate and train new home recipient families that have also been given computers with Internet access. The mandatory Internet training program about online safety measures and effective Internet parenting strategies meets the requirements of the AT&T AccessAll Computer Partnership, the nation's largest program designed to provide in-home Internet and technology access to low-income families across America. Under its Community Outreach Program, Blue Coat will provide Austin Habitat for Humanity with the necessary tools, materials and resources, including the Blue Coat® K9 Web Protection filter, to provide to its families.

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BLUE COAT AND INDIANA PTA TO EDUCATE MEMBERS ON INTERNET SAFETY, INCREASE COMMUNITY ACTION

In recognition of Internet Safety Month, joint initiative dedicates efforts to raise awareness on the impact the Internet has on children, community, and parenting strategies

SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 26, 2007 – Blue Coat Systems (Nasdaq: BCSI), the leader in secure content and application delivery, today announced a joint initiative with the Indiana Parent Teachers Association (PTA) that will encourage and educate its member organizations on how to create a safe, family-friendly Internet environment within their homes and communities. Through Blue Coat's Community Outreach Program, the Indiana PTA will distribute the necessary tools, materials and resources to its member organizations, including the Blue Coat® K9 Web Protection filter. The U.S. Senate has officially designated June as Internet Safety Month.

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ELECTRONIC TALKING IN TONGUES

Tip of the Week – By David Einstein, San Francisco Chronicle , 6/11/07

Are you looking for software to control where your children go on the Internet, and when they can use it?

Read full article »

Web Surfing Watchdog

By David Shamah, The Jerusalem Post, 4/26/07

Today I would like to salute a creature without whom life would be much less secure. Of course, I'm talking about the canine, who works endless hours patrolling the Internet, making sure that all who surf on your PC's browser stay safe. He will loyally prevent your kids - or you - from getting themselves into cyber-trouble, bark when danger approaches and even chase down and scare off Net intruders who get too close to your cyber-fence.

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BLUE COAT K9 WEB PROTECTION EARNS AUSTRALIAN IIA FAMILY FRIENDLY FILTER ACCREDITATION

Award-winning Internet filtering software now recommended by Australian ISPs

SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 14, 2007 – Blue Coat Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: BCSI), the leader in secure content and application delivery, today announced that Australia's Internet Industry Association (IIA) has accredited Blue Coat® K9 Web Protection as an IIA Family Friendly Filter, effective for all age ranges. The IIA is a national, non-profit, industry organization in Australia that develops best practice solutions for businesses so that people of all ages can enjoy greater confidence in being online. Accreditation by the IIA enables K9 Web Protection to be listed as one of the recommended filtering solutions available through Australian ISPs. K9 Web Protection enables parents to block and manage unwanted Web content such as pornography, violence, and hate speech. K9 is offered through the Blue Coat Community Outreach Program (www.k9webprotection.com), which provides materials and resources to educate this first generation of Internet parents about the impact of the Internet on children and on parenting strategies.

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BLUE COAT’S JOHN CAROSELLA TO SPEAK AT 95TH ANNUAL INDIANA PTA CONVENTION

VP of content control will discuss the impact of the Internet on parenting in the 21st century; how to ensure children have safe Internet environment

SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 4, 2007 – Blue Coat® Systems (Nasdaq: BCSI), the leader in secure content and application delivery, today announced that John Carosella, vice president of content control, will speak at the 95th Annual Indiana PTA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Conference will take place at the Indianapolis Marriott East, April 20-22, 2007.

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NO SAFETY LOCKS FOR THE WIRED GENERATION

By Stephanie Olsen, CNET, 3/30/07

The fast-growing mobile Internet, meanwhile, may pose even tougher challenges for parents because it adds portability, as well as richness and risk, to social networking, and makes rules such as "keep the home PC centrally located" seem quaintly archaic. Not only can kids get online at their friend's house, they can access the Web via browser-enabled cell phones and game devices.

Even gadgets such as the Sony PSP portable game player include chat capabilities via Bluetooth technology, which gives kids the ability to connect wirelessly to other players within a 300-foot radius. Nintendo's new game console, the Wii, includes a Web browser too.

Read full article »

USER-GENERATED VIDEOS CHALLENGE PARENTAL CONTROLS

By Dawn Kawamoto, CNET, 3/30/07

A mother of three from Austin, Texas, Zindler got a jolt several years ago when clearing out the "sent" folder of an e-mail account she shared with her teenage daughter. One of the e-mails in the folder contained a pornographic image.

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BLUE COAT ANNOUNCES UPGRADE TO AWARD-WINNING K9 WEB PROTECTION SOFTWARE

New version of free Internet filtering software supports Windows Vista; features enhanced protection for social networking, email/password management and Web category protection capabilities

SUNNYVALE, Calif., February 26, 2007 – Blue Coat® Systems (Nasdaq: BCSI), the leader in secure content and application delivery, today released an update to its free, award-winning K9 Web Protection Internet filtering software. New features include Windows Vista support, additional safeguards for “social networking” sites and new Web category and email/password management capabilities, giving parents more protection and control over their family’s use of the Internet. K9 Web Protection is automatically upgraded for current users, and is available free for home users at www.getk9.com.

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WI-FI A NEW CHALLENGE FOR PARENTS

By Will Oremus, Palo Alto Daily News, 12/23/06

It's at Starbucks, Happy Donuts and Best Western. It's at 26 Peninsula libraries. In Mountain View and Foster City, it's everywhere - and it could soon cover all of Silicon Valley and San Mateo County as well.

Free wireless Internet access is booming in the Bay Area, bringing with it a host of benefits such as better communication for public employees in the field and expanded access for people who can't afford to buy their own service.

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BLUE COAT K9 WEB PROTECTION EARNS THE NATIONAL PARENTING CENTER'S SEAL OF APPROVAL


Free Internet filtering software/community outreach resource wins over parents, children and educator

SUNNYVALE, Calif., November 28, 2006 – Blue Coat® Systems (Nasdaq: BCSI), the leader in secure content and application delivery, today announced that the National Parenting Center has awarded its 2006 Seal of Approval to Blue Coat Systems' K9 Web Protection, a free Internet filter that enables parents to block and manage unsolicited Web content such as pornography, violence and hate speech. K9 Web Protection is offered through the Blue Coat Community Outreach Program (www.k9webprotection.com) which provides materials and resources to educate this first generation of Internet parents about the impact of the Internet on children and on parenting strategies.

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KEEPING KIDS SAFE ONLINE

Expert Recomends Setting Boundaries on Internet Usage – By Cheré Coen, Acadiana Parent, 10/06


Ask a mother if she provides a safe environment for her children and protects them from harm, and undoubtedly she will say yes.

Ask that same parent if she curbs her child's Internet usage and installs filters to block potentially harmful Web sites, and the answer may be different.

But the dangers are the same, says Internet parenting expert John Carosella, who has produced software to filter Internet usage.

Read full article »

WHY MOM ENLISTED AN ONLINE SLEUTH TO KEEP TABS ON CHILD

By Daniel B. Wood, The Christian Science Monitor, 06/21/06

LOS ANGELES – Author Vicki Courtney in Texas keeps close tabs on her 13-year-old son, Hayden, by monitoring his instant messages (IMs) from a computer in the next room. Sometimes Hayden knows. Sometimes he doesn't.

Carolina Aitken, a mom in Santa Rosa, Calif., took her two teenage sons on the Dr. Phil show after she exposed their Internet misuse. She had contacted them via e-mail as "Candy Sweetness," a fictitious 16-year-old girl, to see if she could get them to give up their home phone number. One did.

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K9 WEB PROTECTION WINS IPARENTING MEDIA AWARD

The Only Web Filtering Product to be Recognized, K9 Receives Award for its Ability to Block Offensive or Potentially Dangerous Sites, Including the Popular Website MySpace

SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 24, 2006 – Blue Coat® Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: BCSI), the leader in secure content and application delivery, today announced that K9 Web Protection has won an iParenting Media Award. K9 Web Protection is a free Web filter that gives parents control over their family's use of the Internet. K9 won the award because it enables parents to monitor and control what sites their children access, and provides them with the ability to block offensive or potentially dangerous sites, including the popular website MySpace.com. K9 is the only Web filtering product to receive this honor.

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