How to Allow Specific Website (like http://xxx.xxxxxxxx.xxx ) in Sophos Firewall

Sophos Firewall provides powerful web filtering and security features, but sometimes it may block legitimate websites due to category filtering or SSL inspection. If you are unable to open a trusted website like http://enter domainname, you can easily create an exception rule or allow policy in Sophos Firewall to whitelist it.

Step-by-Step Guide to Allow a Website in Sophos Firewall

Step 1: Login to Sophos Firewall

1. Open your browser and go to:
   https://<firewall-ip>:4444

2. Log in with admin credentials.

Step 2: Identify Web Policy Used

1. Navigate to Web → Policies.

2. Check which Web Policy is applied to your LAN users (like “Default Policy”).

3. Click Edit on that policy.

Step 3: Add Website to Allow List

1. Inside the Web Policy, click Add → Add Exception Rule or Add Custom Category.

2. Enter the domain:

   enter_domainname
   *.enter_domainname
   

3. Set the Action → Allow.

4. Click Save and Apply.

Step 4: Attach Policy to Firewall Rule

1. Go to Rules and Policies → Firewall Rules.

2. Edit your LAN → WAN rule.

3. Under Security Features, select the Web Policy you modified.

4. Save changes.

Step 5: Clear Cache and Test

From any system on your LAN, open the browser and try visiting:

http://enter_domainname

If it loads successfully, the rule is working.

Step 6: Troubleshooting

If still blocked:

• Go to Log Viewer → Web Filter and check the category.

• Disable SSL/TLS inspection temporarily.

• Add *.enter_domainname to the global exception list under Web → Exceptions.

Security Tips

• Allow only trusted websites.

• Use category filters to prevent misuse.

• Regularly monitor logs for suspicious access.

Conclusion

By adding a domain exception in the Sophos Web Policy and linking it to your firewall rule, you can easily allow access to a specific website like enter_domainname while keeping full web protection active.