>Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2010 16:06:15 -0400
>From: Carl Campion <ccampion@ME.COM>
>Subject: Websense vs Baracuda web filter
>Our Websense license needs to renew by the middle of this month. I have
>been advised to switch to a Baracuda web filter solution. The rationale
>is that it is both a hardware and software solution that will enhance our
>network performance. Other advice suggests moving the Websense to it's
>own server so it can function more efficiently. It currently shares an
>server with both the antivirus server and secondary DNS server.
>
>The Baracuda solution is 3x the cost of the Websense renewal.
>
>I would appreciate any insights, experiences, etc.
>Thanks. Happy 4th !
>
>Carl Campion
>Archmere Academy
Carl,
Though I have never used Websense, Brookwood has been using Barracuda for
many years. Though the initial price is expensive we have gotten many
years use out of our Barracuda Spam and virus filter. We do not use it
for filtering web content though for our students.
Having said that, I am exceptionally happy with our Barracuda 200 and will
be replacing it next year with an updated model. For whatever reason, our
school has come to the attention of one or more group of spammers and
malware writers. We have literally been under attack at times and
primarily through email attachments and tricks to get our users to click
links to malware sites. Our Barracuda has blocked nearly all of this spam
and nearly 100% of the malware attachments over the years. We have
received anywhere from 4000 - 8000 spam email a day and have been targeted
with spam campaigns. I *do* tweak the Barracuda myself with many modified
rules and additions and manage it every morning. But that is a plus
because I can. Enough said.....
We're thrilled with it and I couldn't imagine the problems I would be
dealing with if I didn't have it.
Doug
Co-Director, ChildrenOnline.org
================================
Douglas Fodeman
Director of Technology
Brookwood School
Manchester, MA 01944
http://www.Brookwood.edu
(978) 526-4500 X6233
================================
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