Global Exclusions

You can exclude files, websites and applications from scanning for threats.

Introduction

You use exclusions to tune the detection behavior of Sophos Central.

Exclusions

Global exclusions apply to all your users (and their devices) and servers.

If you want exclusions to apply only to certain users or servers, use policy exclusions instead.

You can set up the following types of exclusion:

  • Exclude files or folders from scanning.

    If you exclude files from scanning, we'll still check the excluded items for exploits.

  • Exclude from checking any process that runs from an application.
  • Exclude websites from checking.
  • Exclude applications from protection against security exploits.
  • Exclude applications that are normally detected as spyware and previously detected exploits from scanning and detection.
  • Exclude previously detected malicious behavior exploits. This is only available if you are signed up to the Early Access Program.

You can also use exclusions to allow isolated devices to communicate with other devices under restrictions. This feature is available if you have Intercept X Advanced with EDR.

Warning Think carefully before you add global exclusions because doing so may reduce your protection.

Can’t edit the exclusions?

If an option is locked global settings have been applied by your partner or Enterprise administrator. You can still stop detecting applications, exploits and ransomware from events.

Exploit exclusions

If you exclude files from scanning, we'll still check the excluded items for exploits. If you want exclusions from exploit checking, do as follows:

  • To stop checking for an exploit that has been detected, use a Detected Exploits exclusion.
  • To exclude certain applications from checking, use Exploit Mitigation Exclusions.
  • To stop checking for a malicious behavior exploit that has been detected, use a Behavioral Protection exclusion.

Set up exclusions

You can exclude files, websites and applications from scanning for threats.

To set exclusions:

  1. Go to Global Exclusions.
  2. Click Add Exclusion.
    The Add Exclusion dialog is displayed.
  3. In the Exclusion Type drop-down list select what you want to exclude.
  4. Specify the item or items you want to exclude.
    OptionDescription

    File or folder (Windows)

    You can exclude a drive, folder or file by full path. You can use the wildcard * for file name or extension but *.* is not valid.

    File or folder (Mac/Linux)

    You can exclude a folder or file. You can use the wildcards ? and *.

    File or folder (Sophos Security VM)

    On Windows guest VMs protected by a Sophos security VM, you can exclude a drive, folder or file by full path. You can use the wildcards * and ? but only for file names.

    Process (Windows)

    You can exclude any process running from an application. This also excludes files that the process uses (but only when they are accessed by that process). If possible, enter the full path from the application.

    Website (Windows/Mac)

    You can specify websites for exclusion using IP address, IP address range (in CIDR notation), or domain.

    Potentially Unwanted Application (Windows/Mac)

    You can exclude applications that are normally detected as spyware.

    Specify the exclusion using the same name under which it was detected by the system.

    Find more information about PUAs in the Sophos Threat Center.

    Detected Exploits (Windows/Mac)

    You can exclude any exploit that has already been detected. We'll no longer detect it for the affected application and no longer block the application.

    Device isolation (Windows)

    You can allow isolated devices to have limited communications with other devices.

    Choose whether isolated devices will use outbound or inbound communications, or both. You can then restrict communications.

    Malicious Network Traffic Prevention (IPS) (Windows)

    You can exclude specific network traffic from inspection.

    Choose whether to exclude outbound or inbound traffic. Then specify the address or ports the traffic uses.

    Exploit Mitigation (Windows)

    You can exclude applications from protection against security exploits.

    For example, you might want to exclude an application that is incorrectly detected as a threat until the problem has been resolved.

    AMSI Protection (Windows)

    You can exclude a drive, folder or file by full path. Code in this location is not scanned. You can use the wildcard * for file name or extension.

    Behavioral Protection (Windows)

    You can exclude applications from protection against behavioral exploits.

    For example, you might want to exclude an application that has been incorrectly detected as behaving maliciously.

    You can't edit these exclusions after you create them.

    This option is only available if you are signed up to the Early Access Program.
  5. For File or folder exclusions, in the Active for drop-down list, specify if the exclusion should be valid for real-time scanning, for scheduled scanning, or for both.
  6. Click Add or Add Another. The exclusion is added to the scanning exclusions list.

To edit an exclusion later, click its name in the exclusions list, enter new settings and click Update.