Editing masks for web resource addresses

Using a web resource address mask (also referred to as "address mask") may be useful if you need to enter numerous similar web resource addresses when creating a web resource access rule. If crafted well, one address mask can replace a large number of web resource addresses.

When creating an address mask, follow these rules:

1. The * character replaces any sequence that contains zero or more characters.

   For example, if you enter the *abc* address mask, the access rule is applied to all web resources that contain the sequence abc. Example: http://www.example.com/page_0-9abcdef.html.

2. A sequence of *. characters (known as a domain mask) lets you select all domains of an address. The *. domain mask represents any domain name, subdomain name, or a blank line.

   Example: the *.example.com mask represents the following addresses:

   • http://pictures.example.com. The domain mask *. represents pictures.
   • http://user.pictures.example.com. The domain mask *. represents pictures. and user.
   • http://example.com. The domain mask *. is interpreted as a blank line.
3. The www. character sequence at the start of the address mask is interpreted as a *. sequence.

   Example: the address mask www.example.com is interpreted as *.example.com. This mask covers the addresses www2.example.com and www.pictures.example.com.

4. If an address mask does not start with the * character, the content of the address mask is equivalent to the same content with the *. prefix.
5. If an address mask ends with a character other than / or *, the content of the address mask is equivalent to the same content with the /* postfix.

   Example: the address mask http://www.example.com covers such addresses as http://www.example.com/abc, where a, b, and c are any characters.

6. If an address mask ends with the / character, the content of the address mask is equivalent to the same content with the /* postfix.
7. The character sequence /* at the end of an address mask is interpreted as /* or an empty string.
8. Web resource addresses are verified against an address mask, taking into account the protocol (http or https):
   • If the address mask contains no network protocol, this address mask covers addresses with any network protocol.

     Example: the address mask example.com covers the addresses http://example.com and https://example.com.

   • If the address mask contains a network protocol, this address mask only covers addresses with the same network protocol as that of the address mask.

     Example: the address mask http://*.example.com covers the address http://www.example.com but does not cover https://www.example.com.

9. An address mask that is in double quotes is treated without considering any additional replacements, except the * character if it has been initially included in the address mask. Rules 5 and 7 do not apply to address masks enclosed in double quotation marks (see examples 14 – 18 in the table below).
10. The user name and password, connection port, and character case are not taken into account during comparison with the address mask of a web resource.

     

    Examples of how to use rules for creating address masks

     

    No.	Address mask	Address of web resource to verify	Is the address covered by the address mask	Comment
    1	*.example.com	http://www.123example.com	No	See rule 1.
    2	*.example.com	http://www.123.example.com	Yes	See rule 2.
    3	*example.com	http://www.123example.com	Yes	See rule 1.
    4	*example.com	http://www.123.example.com	Yes	See rule 1.
    5	http://www.*.example.com	http://www.123example.com	No	See rule 1.
    6	www.example.com	http://www.example.com	Yes	See rules 3, 2, 1.
    7	www.example.com	https://www.example.com	Yes	See rules 3, 2, 1.
    8	http://www.*.example.com	http://123.example.com	Yes	See rules 3, 4, 1.
    9	www.example.com	http://www.example.com/abc	Yes	See rules 3, 5, 1.
    10	example.com	http://www.example.com	Yes	See rules 3, 1.
    11	http://example.com/	http://example.com/abc	Yes	See rule 6.
    12	http://example.com/*	http://example.com	Yes	See rule 7.
    13	http://example.com	https://example.com	No	See rule 8.
    14	"example.com"	http://www.example.com	No	See rule 9.
    15	"http://www.example.com"	http://www.example.com/abc	No	See rule 9.
    16	"*.example.com"	http://www.example.com	Yes	See rules 1, 9.
    17	"http://www.example.com/*"	http://www.example.com/abc	Yes	See rules 1, 9.
    18	"www.example.com"	http://www.example.com; https://www.example.com	Yes	See rules 9, 8.
    19	www.example.com/abc/123	http://www.example.com/abc	No	An address mask contains more information than the address of a web resource.

     

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