How Schools Can Stay Ahead of Evolving Online Threats and Proxies with GoGuardian Admin Smart Alerts

Today's students have grown up as digital natives and have made smartphones, tablets, and computers an integral part of their lives. For this generation, technology isn’t just a tool — it’s a fundamental way of learning, communicating, and exploring. As young people gain increased access to the vast world of information and social connections at their fingertips, the number of new challenges, especially in online safety within schools, also grows.

The need for smarter, proactive solutions is more urgent than ever. Traditional content filters struggle to keep up with new digital threats, and students are increasingly using methods like proxies to bypass filtering rules. As a result, administrators are left scrambling to stay ahead. That’s where GoGuardian Admin comes in.

GoGuardian Admin is the most preferred K-12 web filtering solution that enables schools to comprehensively manage filtering policies across users, devices, operating systems, and browsers from a single dashboard. This comprehensive approach ensures students can access the tools they need for learning while protecting them from harmful content and distractions.

We’re committed to constantly innovating, with a focus on helping administrators stay one step ahead of these emerging challenges. By prioritizing cutting-edge solutions, we ensure GoGuardian Admin evolves alongside the rapidly changing digital landscape.

Feature focus: Smart Alerts for proxies

To help educators stay one step ahead, GoGuardian recently launched Smart Alerts for Proxies, which is designed to proactively identify and block proxy sites that are used to bypass filtering. Using advanced AI and machine learning, GoGuardian Admin can quickly detect and block dangerous content, preventing students from accessing harmful websites or tools. This adaptive filtering approach allows schools to create safer, more focused learning environments where students are protected from distractions, enabling them to stay productive and engaged.

Dr. Amy Troutt, Director of EdTech & Online Learning for Washington Elementary School District, shared her district's experience with how GoGuardian Admin protects against proxies, stating, “Overall, our experience with monitoring proxies has been really positive thanks to GoGuardian Admin. Most of the time when I open something it’s blocked, I think, ‘Yep, that’s total garbage. Students don’t need to be going there.’”

Why traditional filtering techniques aren’t enough

Traditional online filtering systems were designed to block access to harmful content, but students have since developed sophisticated methods to bypass these, leaving administrators struggling to keep up. The limitations of older systems are becoming more apparent, as the tools students use to outsmart them evolve daily.

Some common methods students employ include:

• Proxy servers: These allow students to bypass content filters by connecting to websites through an intermediary server. These proxies are easily created, shared, and customized, making it difficult for outdated systems to keep up.
  
  
• Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): VPNs mask a student’s internet traffic, rerouting it through external servers, effectively evading school network filters. Many VPNs offer encrypted traffic, which prevents traditional monitoring tools from detecting or categorizing the activity.
  
  
• Mobile hotspots & data tethering: With mobile hotspots or data tethering from smartphones, students can bypass school networks entirely and access the internet without any filters in place.
  
  
• Browser extensions: Students also leverage browser extensions or VPN add-ons, which can be easily hidden and allow them to circumvent school network restrictions.

These tactics have become increasingly sophisticated, with new proxies created daily, making it nearly impossible for IT administrators to stay ahead. Students have even set up social media communities and online forums dedicated to sharing tips on how to bypass filtering systems. Proxies are constantly evolving, with some rotating IP addresses or requiring passwords to access, making detection even more difficult. This highlights the need for schools to adopt intelligent, adaptive solutions to keep up with the dynamic nature of these threats.

GoGuardian Admin’s approach: Staying ahead of the curve

In response to the ever-growing sophistication of online threats, GoGuardian Admin offers a more proactive, intelligent approach to online safety. Unlike legacy systems that only react to threats after they’ve been identified, GoGuardian Admin anticipates and addresses issues before they impact students.

Mike Cannon, Synergy Systems Manager for the district, praised GoGuardian's role in managing proxies, noting, “The proxy blocker has helped a lot. It’s been a big improvement, and I wouldn't want to lose it. It’s most effective at the few district sites where admins are very active in checking their alerts. We’ve got one admin who’s been extremely diligent in checking Smart Alerts and tracking down the students who are trying to get around things."

Dr. Troutt further emphasized the effectiveness of Smart Alerts, explaining, “They’ve been a great addition. They help keep kids focused on learning. There’s a lot of sharing of proxy and game sites among students. Often, we’ll see the same random game site being blocked for a lot of students, so it’s been really positive overall.”

Proactive vs. reactive threat management

While legacy systems are slow to respond — often requiring manual review to identify and block proxy sites — GoGuardian Admin uses AI and machine learning to detect emerging threats automatically. By leveraging a vast database of proxy-related keywords, GoGuardian Admin can identify and block harmful sites before they become widespread problems. This proactive approach ensures schools aren’t left vulnerable to harmful content.

Cannon reflected on the impact of traditional systems and how GoGuardian Admin improved their response, saying, “For a while, I had every single .io URL blocked. I had to back off a bit because some educational sites use that domain. The proxy blocker has really helped because we were always walking a fine line — blocking too much versus blocking not enough. It’s a battle, as you know, but the proxy blocker has made a big difference.”

Constant evolution and improvements

The fight against online threats is ongoing, and GoGuardian Admin is continuously improving its system to stay ahead of evolving student tactics. With constant updates to AI-driven filters, the platform can detect even newly created proxies quickly, preventing them from causing harm. The system’s ability to adapt based on feedback ensures districts always have access to the latest defense measures.

Keeping students safer in a dynamic digital world

GoGuardian Admin’s vision extends beyond simply blocking websites. It’s about creating a comprehensive platform that supports student safety, learning, and productivity. The solution is not just about reacting to today’s threats but also about staying ahead of tomorrow’s challenges. By continuously refining its filtering algorithms based on customer feedback, market analysis, and emerging threats, GoGuardian Admin ensures schools can adapt to the rapidly changing digital landscape.

“Whether it’s GoGuardian, AI, or any edtech tool — there’s always a human piece we need to focus on and support. But the Smart Alerts for proxies have definitely had an indirect impact on helping students stay on task,” Dr. Troutt explained.

GoGuardian empowers IT administrators to focus on their primary responsibility: Supporting educational outcomes. With automated systems that handle filtering and threat detection, IT teams can reduce the time spent on manual oversight and focus more on helping students succeed. Additionally, by blocking proxies and other distractions, GoGuardian helps reduce off-task behavior, keeping students focused on their academic work.

Looking forward

As students become more adept at using technology, the challenge of maintaining a safe and productive online learning environment will continue to grow. Traditional filtering methods are no longer enough to keep up with students' rapidly evolving tactics to bypass them. That’s why GoGuardian Admin’s proactive, AI-driven solutions — such as the enhanced Smart Alerts for proxies — are so critical in the fight for online safety in schools.

Schools must stay informed and adaptable, constantly evolving their strategies to address new threats. By leveraging GoGuardian Admin’s advanced features, educators and IT administrators can ensure a safe, productive, and dynamic digital learning environment for students today — and in the years to come.

Ready to learn more about how GoGuardian Admin can help your school stay ahead of online threats? Stay informed, stay protected, and let us help you build a safer digital world for your students by requesting a demo today.