Case No. IP-2017-000169

Internet browser 22.An individual using the internet will commonly access content by means of an internet browser, such as Internet Explorer or Chrome. This consists of software loaded on to the individual’s computer. The individual types a uniform resource locator (URL), commonly known as a web address, into the browser which causes a request to be transmitted to the website. Alternatively, a word is typed into a search engine provided by the browser which generates alternative URLs and by clicking on one of them, the individual sends the request. 23.All websites consist of pages, media and other files which together make up the website stored on a web server. A web server is a large computer connected to the internet. The browser communicates with the website via an internet service provider (ISP). The website responds to the request sent by the individual by sending data back to his or her computer via the ISP. In the simplest case, the individual’s computer screen then displays the pages of the website. Cookies 24. Cookies are pieces of text transmitted by a website. They can be stored on the hard disk of a computer. The presence of a stored cookie on a computer can be used, among other things, to signal that the relevant website may be accessed by that computer. Authentication and filtering access to a website 25.There are various ways to discriminate between requests for access to a website. In a simple example the website will have a default policy of denying access upon request, sending back a ‘deny’ page to the computer which sent the request. However the page will provide for the possibility of entering a username and/or a password. If the website recognises the username and password from its database, the person sending the request is ‘authenticated’ and the website content is sent. If not, the deny page remains in place. A proxy 26.A proxy is a device, another computer, located between the user’s computer and websites. The proxy modifies, filters or logs the user’s request to access websites. It can also store copies of web pages commonly requested to speed up retrieval. 27.When performing a filtering function, a request from the proxy’s client computer can be checked against a policy stored in the proxy. If the request is contrary to the policy, it is blocked and never makes it to the website. If sanctioned by the policy, the request is allowed to proceed.