BrightCloud missing the Plot!

[u7285]

Hi Guys and Gals

I see there is already multiple threads about mis-classification on URL categories! I am now pleading with Palo Alto to address this issue with BrightCloud!

To reduce the none business related websites we started blocking the "society" category.....  Now we are being flooded with incidents where busines related sites are being blocked.....  Sites like BMW.co.za is classified as society but bmw.com is correctly classified!!! Same goes for all other motor vehicle related sites!!! How can they mis this? It seems that if Brightcloud uses the society category as default??

We have been getting arount the problem by adding sites to the allow list and creating custom categories, but this is becoming an administrative hell. We have also reported each URL with Brightcloud, but with amount of url's that we sending we are at the point where Brightcloud will need to put us on their payroll!! - hehehe

Please advise if someone has the same problem and if Brightcloud will address the problem?

[dyang]

Hello,

Thanks for your patience and feedback regarding mis-categorized URLs.  In terms of submitting bulk requests to BrightCloud for re-classification, you can always use the email alias dbchange@brightcloud.com for submission.  Alternatively, you can also open a support case with Palo Alto Networks, and we can push BrightCloud to re-evaluate the URLs in question.  I definitely agree that bmw.com should have the same categorization as bmw.co.za!

Again, thanks for your patience and your assistance in maintaining the quality of the URL filtering database!

Cheers,

Doris

[scanlab.rgr]

Hello,

we have the same problem.

Our users need many Laser related sites. Most of them are mis-categorized.

I agree with you Brightcloud uses the “society” category as default.

In the past we used McAfee Web Gateway formerly Webwasher. The Webwasher URL filter database was much better.

Maybe PaloAlto should think about to change the database vendor…

Regards,

Rainer

[Laforgepaul]

This is a big issue for us as well. Their url categories are very unreliable and we have had many issues. When we talked with Brightcloud they indicated that the categorisation  is automated and sites do get miss categorized. (even double  categorized) Often when we request to recategorise a url, it's often changed back by the automated system.

Also we've had issues where users are going to their site and changing URL categories to bypass our restrictions and gain access.   This has been possible with Brightcloud because of the self serve public Portal to re-categorize URLs. 

[dyang]

Hi everyone,

BrightCloud uses both automated and manual processes to categorize URLs, and is always making improvements in their process to reduce the number of mis-categorized URLs.  Though BrightCloud allows anyone to request a re-categorization via their website, there are checks in place to prevent abuse of this service, such as intentionally submitting an incorrect category.  If you have any examples of this happening, please open a ticket with Palo Alto Networks Support so that we can address this with BrightCloud.

As always, we welcome any feedback regarding our products!

Thanks,

Doris