Proxy as a tool for filtering and auditing Internet traffic

The internet for modern business is a place for operational tasks. But at the same time, it is also a source of risk. Malicious websites, inappropriate content, data leaks, and inefficient use of bandwidth. A proxy server helps turn this risk into a manageable process. You set the rules, see what is happening on the network, and respond promptly.

What is a proxy server

A proxy server is a computer or service that acts as an intermediary between your device and the internet. You send a request not directly to a website, but through the proxy. The proxy receives the request, applies its rules (filtering, auditing, caching), forwards the request to the target resource, receives the response, and returns it to you.

How a proxy works

• The client sends a request to the proxy server instead of connecting directly to the website.
• The proxy evaluates the request according to configured rules: whether access is allowed, whether the resource should be blocked, whether caching is permitted, etc.
• If access is allowed, the proxy forwards the request to the target server on the internet.
• The target server responds to the proxy, which then forwards the response to your device.
• The proxy can store a copy of the response in cache for future requests and record the event in the audit log.
• You receive the required content, and the administrator gets data for monitoring and reporting.

Proxy as a traffic filtering tool

Filtering mechanism

The proxy sits between the user’s device and the internet. When you open a website, the request first goes to the proxy, which checks it against defined rules. If access is allowed, the proxy forwards the request to the site and returns the response to you. If the site is blocked, the proxy can show a notification or redirect users to a company policy page. During operation, the proxy can cache frequently visited pages, which speeds up repeat requests and saves network resources. All actions are recorded in logs for auditing and analysis.

Content filtering in corporate and educational networks

Filtering covers access to websites and resources that do not comply with security policy, as well as control by content categories (for example, prohibited sites, malicious resources, phishing). The proxy supports filtering by category lists, white and black lists, updated threat databases, and settings by user groups (departments, classes, roles). In a corporate environment, this makes it possible, for example, to restrict access to social networks during working hours or block risky sites. In educational institutions — to block inappropriate content and manage access during classes.

Integration with parental control systems

A parental control system can be built on a proxy as the core access control layer. This mode involves creating profiles by roles or ages, configuring access schedules and content rules, as well as centralized management and detailed reports. The result is transparency for parents or administrators, discipline in network usage, and reduced risks associated with unsafe content.

Proxy for auditing and monitoring

Collecting and storing user access logs

The proxy records data such as user identifier, device IP address, request time, requested URL, method, result (allowed or blocked), applied policy, and amount of transferred data. Logs are stored in a centralized archive with access control and are usually encrypted. The retention period depends on regulatory requirements and company policy and may range from months to several years. Log archiving and rotation help keep the system manageable and secure.

Traffic analysis: who connects where and when

Traffic auditing makes it possible to see the overall picture of network usage: which users visit which resources, at what time windows the main traffic load occurs, which domains are blocked most often. Based on this data, dashboards and reports are built by users, groups, site categories, and time of day. This helps identify trends, plan bandwidth, and respond quickly to policy deviations.

Using proxy logs for security incident investigations

Proxy logs become the foundation for investigations. They record the sequence of user and traffic actions, which makes it easier to reconstruct the event timeline and identify the source of the problem. Logs are often integrated with SIEM systems and other data sources for more effective correlation.

Technical implementation

1.1 Configuring basic filtering rules

Start with a simple core. Define which sites and categories should be accessible and which should be blocked, and who has access to them. Basic rules include allow or block by URL and by category (social networks, gambling, news, malicious resources, etc.), as well as rules for specific user groups (departments, classes, roles).

It is important to define a default policy: what happens if no rule is matched — allow or block? It is also useful to plan exceptions: white lists for critical services and special time windows for access (for example, in a training lab). Update threat databases and categories so that filtering stays current.

1.2 Configuring logging

Define what data must be collected for auditing and monitoring: user identifier, IP address, request time, requested URL/domain, method, result (allowed/blocked), applied policy, and amount of transferred data. Store logs in a centralized repository protected from unauthorized access and transmit them over a secure connection.

Rotation and archiving are important. Storage may be required from several weeks to years depending on regulatory requirements. Ensure log integrity and change control, as well as role-based restrictions on access to the logs themselves.

1.3 Issues and limitations

Proxy operation with filtering and logging faces real limitations. TLS encryption makes it impossible to see HTTPS traffic contents without special measures, so part of filtering is performed only at the domain, category, or generalized signature level rather than by page content. This may lead to some threats being missed or to false positives.

Filtering and logging require computing resources and disk space, especially in large networks. Some applications bypass proxies or use non-standard protocols, which requires additional configuration or exceptions. Rule maintenance and updates are an ongoing process. New sites, new threats, and changing business needs require regular tuning and testing.

Security and ethical aspects

Risks of excessive monitoring and privacy violations

Traffic monitoring can provide valuable information about employees and students, but without great care it creates risks to privacy and trust. Excessive or intrusive tracking can lead to situations where people change behavior not for security, but to avoid control. Legally, this may result in fines and regulatory issues, especially if sensitive data is collected or shared with third parties. In educational environments, it is especially important to respect students’ right to privacy and child data protection.

Balance between security and the right to personal information

Data should be collected only when necessary and used strictly for the purposes for which it was obtained. Data minimization principles should be applied in practice: limiting the volume of collected information, enabling anonymization or pseudonymization where appropriate, and limiting log retention periods.

Access to logs must be strictly regulated. Only authorized persons may view the data, and every access is recorded. In some cases, it is reasonable to separate data layers: logs and analytics remain in separate storages with independently controlled access.

Conclusion

Proxies remain a key tool for controlling network activity. They enable centralized resource access management, content filtering, log collection and analysis, and rapid incident response. Thanks to flexible rules and integration capabilities with security systems, proxies help reduce risks, maintain employee productivity, and ensure compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements. In a dynamic digital landscape, proxies naturally take their place in both corporate and educational environments: from simple content filtering to advanced traffic auditing.

Proxies from Belurk are well suited for these tasks. We provide easy configuration of basic filtering and logging rules, a unified management panel, reliable log storage and protection, scalability for growing requirements, and readiness for integration with analytics tools. Belurk focuses on clear policy explanation for users and effective real-world deployment. If you need an effective tool for traffic control in your network, Belurk proxies are a convenient and reliable choice.