Network classification

A method for managing network communications, the method comprising:nobtaining a classification of a type of a computer network from amongst multiple different types of computer networks, wherein obtaining the classification includes:nderiving the classification from multiple network attributes associated with the computer network, wherein:nthe multiple network attributes include a domain name, a presence of a network infrastructure element, a parameter received from a network server, a communications media type, a service provider, a nominal available communications bandwidth, a measured available communications bandwidth, and/or a physical network location;obtaining at least one network classification policy based on the obtained classification for the computer network; andimplementing a network classification policy action according to the at least one obtained network classification policy, wherein implementing the at least one network classification policy action includes:nconfiguring network security settings based on the obtained classification.

A computing device that is connectable to at least one network, the computing device comprising:na memory and at least one processor that are respectively configured to store and execute instructions that are organized into:na classification store that stores network classifications, the network classifications classifying types of networks according to network characteristics;a network classification policy enforcer that:nselects a network classification policy action to execute based on a determined network classification from the classification store; andconfigures network security settings according to definitions of the selected network classification policy action;a network attribute acquirer that receives indications of multiple network attributes associated with the network, wherein:nthe multiple network attributes include a domain name, a presence of a network infrastructure element, a parameter received from a network server, a communications media type, a service provider, a nominal available communications bandwidth, a measured available communications bandwidth, and/or a physical network location; anda network characteristic generator that determines the network classification from the stored network classifications according to the received indications of the multiple network attributes associated with the network.

A computing device that is connectable to at least one network, the computing device comprising:na network interface configured to connect the computing device to a network;at least one memory and at least one processor that are respectively configured to store and execute computer-executable components, the computer-executable components including:na classification store configured to store network classifications, the network classifications associating types of networks to network characteristics;a network classification policy enforcer configured to:nselect a network classification policy for the network connected to via the network interface based on a determined network classification for the network; andconfigure network security settings for the network according to definitions of the selected network classification policy action for the network;a network attribute acquirer configured to receive indications of multiple network attributes associated with the network from the network interface, wherein:nthe multiple network attributes comprising a domain name, a presence of a network infrastructure element, a parameter received from a network server, a communications media type, a service provider, a nominal available communications bandwidth, a measured available communications bandwidth, and/or a physical network location; anda network characteristic generator configured to determine the network classification for the network connected to via the network interface from the stored network classifications according to the received indications of the multiple network attributes associated with the network.