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Streaming Services Blocked

"Reopening" this thread since it is a ongoing issue. As others have already experienced, I'm running into the same streaming issues. Netflix, PluralSite, and other streaming services won't work on AppleTV, Wii, Samsung Smart TVs, Apple iPad, and Apple iPhones but does through a web browser. Also, audio streams won't stream properly (constantly restart) and PlayStation updates won't download properly (get 175% download messages before throwing an error).  Lastly, I cannot login to some banking websites and have difficulties with content downloading on other reputable sites.

So, as others have, I created a profile which filters based off of MAC address and has malware scanning and web scanning is turned off - so essentially everything that you want in a modern security appliance turned off. Most of the systems began to work, but Netflix on the Wii still does not work (streams get to 100% but never start. I also tried the Netflix filters used on the UTM but as other have experience this does not work on the XG).

Also as others have experienced, no useful log files are created as to what it getting blocked, either Malware or web filtering of any type kills any stream (even simple filters such as blocking webmail will kill a stream - seems to be a issue with the scan engine itself and nothing to do with the content.) 

Obviously this is a serious issue that needs to be addressed as I can purchase a $50 firewall from Walmart that will work better than the XG currently is. Don't get me wrong, I'm a Sophos fan, but this has been an ongoing problem for way too long. What's the plan for this to be fixed? My definition of "fixed" is the ability to have malware scanning and web filtering enabled on devices that stream content. It needs to work this way because a large number of devices stream content and disabling malware scanning and/or web filtering is not on option. 

Has anyone else had better luck with streaming content on the XG with security enabled? I'd like to move back to the UTM firewall, however streaming doesn't work that well on that platform either. 



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  • Very well said and thank you for taking the time. Sophos is a great product and I would hate to do without it because things like Netflix don't work but I am hanging in there as long as I can. Can't beat the Sophos security.

    Have a great day!

  • Thanks Quentin for sharing the service release! This is good news - definitely something I'll try out tonight. Also, I'm totally aware of the business roots of Sophos and our company makes good use of their technology - it's great stuff. However, I did want to re-emphasize that the issue is not isolated to Netflix only but all streaming content including sites such as Pluralsight and YouTube which are used in corporate settings. Also, there is a known issue with the web filtering engine which causes issues with streaming content, including services that provide patch update content. It's a real problem for businesses as well not just for home users.

  • Sorry, I disagree on some of your statements. XG is what some small business might use and they would have an ADSL server PPPoE.

    Netflix, facebook, messenger, etc are now corporate multi-meadia tools both inhouse and for customers. MS and MAC updates come in through the various internet connections not just MS WSUS/SCCM servers.

    After the MR1 update my Apple updates flow without any issues, I have automatically downloaded and installed to MAC OS 10.11.4 beta releases both over 1gb. Previously the only way to successfully download them was through the UTM.

  • Agreed. Sophos seems to have an Apple way of thinking meaning 'You don't need that', We are Sophos we know what you need.

  • Good news - I updated my Sophos firewall with the Maintenance Release MR-1.1 (https://community.sophos.com/products/xg-firewall/f/46/t/75072) and it seems to have resolved the issue. I can now stream media with both web filtering and IPS turned on. I did have to turn off stream filtering in order for it to work. Overall, it appears that this has finally been resolved.

  • Funny, as soon as I updated my firmware to MR-1.1 streaming services stopped working. Could you provide a little more detail about where you turned off 'stream filtering'? I searched through the settings but didn't find it. I still have to have HTTP scanning turned off for streaming to work.  

  • I to would like to know where he turned off 'stream filtering' I can't find that either.

  • This is what I did:

    1. Applied firmware MR-1.1
    2. Selected Protection : Web Protection : Web Content Filter from the left menu
    3. Under this page, scrolled down to the HTTP/HTTPS Configurations section
    4. Set Audio & Video File Scanning to Disable
    5. Set Scan Mode to Real-time

    I also set Scanning under the General Configuration to Single Anti-Virus

    Hope this helps. 

  • This doesn't appear to work for me on an iPad or iPhone.  It only works if I don't have HTTP or HTTPS Decrypt and Scan enabled in my LAN to WAN policy.  When either of those are enabled, it won't stream, if I turn them off, it actually works great.  I even tried to add a regex for netflix and the exact URLs with no luck (Screenshot).

  • I don't have https decode and scan enabled. HTTPS breaks all my connection, mail, web surfing the lot. Probably means I need to get my own certificate installed.