How whitelisting works

« to Overview: Configure firewall to connect to Riverside

What is whitelisting?

Firewalls block tools or websites that aren’t explicitly approved. Whitelisting is the process of approving specific websites, tools, or services, allowing them to pass through the firewall without being blocked.

If your firewall is blocking Riverside, whitelisting ensures seamless access and prevents disruptions. Once whitelisted, Riverside will no longer be restricted by the firewall.

The process of whitelisting varies depending on whether you are using a personal firewall or an organizational firewall:

  • Personal Firewall
    • The device owner manually adds a website, domain, or application to the "approved" or "allowed" list on their laptop’s firewall settings.
    • The device owner opens specific “ports” (communication pathways) needed for Riverside to work.
  • Organizational Firewall
    • The organization’s IT team or system administrator adds a domain or service to the organization’s list of allowed resources and opens specific “ports”.
    • If a guest is on an institutional or corporate network or has other security protocols on your network, provide them with this note to share with their IT team:
      "Please whitelist riverside.fm and open TCP ports 443, 80 and UDP ports 443, 3478."
    • For detailed instructions, you can also share this guide: Configure firewall to connect to Riverside: Guide for IT team

How to whitelist Riverside

To whitelist Riverside when using a personal firewall, follow the steps below.

  • Whitelisting on Windows

    Windows Firewall does not allow direct domain whitelisting. You can only whitelist an app.

    Add an app from the list of allowed apps

    1. Select the Start menu.
    2. Type Allow an app through Windows Firewall, and select it from the list of results.
    3. Select Change settings. You might be asked for an administrator password or to confirm your choice.
    4. Select the check box next to the app, or select Allow another app and enter the path for the app.

    Open a port

    1. Select the Start  menu.
    2. Type Windows Defender Firewall, and select it from the list of results.
    3. Select Advanced settings on the side navigation menu. You might be asked for an administrator password or to confirm your choice.
    4. Select Inbound Rules.
    5. Under Actions, select New Rule.
    6. Select Port and click Next.
    7. Choose TCP or UDP depending on the required protocol.
    8. Enter the specific port numbers needed: TCP Ports: 443, 80 UDP Ports: 443, 3478
    9. Click Next.
    10. Select Allow the connection and click Next.
  • Whitelisting on Mac

    Add an app or service to allow incoming connections
    1. Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall.
    2. Click the lock at the bottom-left corner and enter your admin password to make changes.
    3. Click Firewall Options… (or Advanced in older macOS versions).
    4. Click the + plus button.
    5. Browse for the.Riverside domain.
    6. Click Add.
    7. Ensure Riverside is set to Allow incoming connections.
    8. Click OK and re-lock the settings.

     

Learn more

Did this answer your question?