Kerio Control Web Filter Is Not Activated Categorization Is Disabled Work Instant

However, administrators occasionally encounter a frustrating problem. Despite enabling web filtering, the system refuses to filter traffic. The dashboard or logs repeatedly state:

nslookup categorization.gfi.com Alternatively, use (depending on version): HTTPS filtering (SSL inspection) is separate

Indirectly. HTTPS filtering (SSL inspection) is separate. However, if categorization is disabled, you cannot block HTTPS sites based on category, even if SSL inspection is on. Instead, it uses

Kerio Control does not rely solely on static blocklists. Instead, it uses . When a user requests a website, the Kerio appliance queries a remote categorization server (provided by Kerio’s parent company, GFI Software, or a third-party partner like McAfee). The server returns a category ID (e.g., 92 for “Gambling”). The appliance then applies your content rules. but only with static URL lists

| Preventive Measure | Why | |--------------------|-----| | Set up monitoring alerts | Receive email notification if categorization stops. | | Regularly check license expiry | Add a calendar reminder 30 days before renewal. | | Use redundant DNS servers | Prevents single-point-of-failure resolution issues. | | Document upstream proxy changes | Any proxy change requires updating Kerio. | | Test after updates | Category servers change IPs; test every quarter. | Q1: Can I use Kerio Control without cloud categorization? Yes, but only with static URL lists, IP-based rules, or by disabling web filtering entirely. Dynamic filtering will not work.

Go to or Web Filter → Upstream Proxy (version dependent).