SOTI Surf | Configuration Details (Android)
Use the SOTI Surf profile configuration to configure settings for your SOTI Surf app when:
This app closes based on the delay configured in the Delay Application Update settings and restarts once you update and assign the SOTI Surf profile configuration.
General
Branding
Select Configure to open the Brand Settings panel, where you can define SOTI Surf branding options.
Setting | Description |
---|---|
Enable Customized Branding | Turn this toggle on to display the branding options. |
Primary Color | Select the primary background color for the SOTI Surf page, which appears when the app is loading. |
Text Color | Select the text color for the SOTI Surf page, which appears when the app is loading. |
Upload Logo | Browse for an image to serve as the app logo. You can also drag the image file and drop it into the field. |
Use White Background | Turn this toggle on to display a white background on the splash screen. |
Preview | This section enables you to preview the branding options you define. You can switch from a phone to a tablet image by selecting the corresponding icon on the section toolbar. |
Home Screen
Add home screen catalog entries, a home screen website, or corporate bookmarks for the SOTI Surf app.
With website filtering enabled on the profile configuration, websites configured as the home screen or as part of the home screen catalog are automatically added to the allow list.
- If a device has more than one home screen website enabled, the profile assigned first supersedes all others.
- If a device has more than one home screen catalog enabled, SOTI Surf adds all websites from all profiles to the catalog on the device.
- If a device has a website and a catalog enabled, the home screen website supersedes the catalog.
- If a device has a profile with the home screen enabled and another disabled, the profile with the enabled home screen supersedes the disabled setting.
- Corporate bookmarks from many profiles form into a unified set.
- Catalog: Provides a set of websites as links on the SOTI Surf home page. You can group links into folders.
- Website: The home screen of the app is a chosen website.
Setting | Description |
---|---|
Websites | Add websites to appear as links on the SOTI Surf home
page. Select New in the Websites table to add a new catalog entry. To delete a website, hover over its row and select Delete Use the arrows to arrange the order in which websites appear on the SOTI Surf home screen. |
Add Folders | Group websites into different folders. If you have many websites, you can simplify
the app home screen by organizing website links into
folders. Select the new icon in the Add Folders table to create a new folder. On the Add Folders screen, enter a name for the folder and select the (new) icon to add websites to the folder. Select OK once you have finished adding websites. You can add many folders and then arrange their order of appearance on the device screen. |
Show Websites Before Folders in Catalog | Show website links before folders on the app's home screen. |
Setting | Description |
---|---|
Home Screen URL | Enter the website URL to use as the SOTI Surf home page. |
Configure Corporate Bookmarks | Add websites as bookmarks to SOTI Surf. Select (new) in the
Configured Corporate Bookmarks table to create a new row. Enter
a display name and the website's URL. Listed websites appear as
corporate bookmarks. To delete a bookmark, hover over its row and select Delete Use the arrows to arrange the order in which websites appear on the SOTI Surf bookmarks menu. |
Scripting
Send JavaScript scripts to the SOTI Surf browser to customize the behavior of certain specific web applications or URL's.
Select the Configure button to open the Scripting pane.
Setting | Description |
---|---|
Enable Customized Scripting | When enabled, configure a JavaScript script to send to
SOTI Surf. Once received, SOTI Surf uses the JavaScript script to
customize the behaviour of specified URLs. Select to add and configure a new script. When you configure a new script, you must do the following:
After selecting at least one script, enable/disable
URL-script name associations as needed. Note: When many scripts associate with a
URL, their contents merge instead of replacing them. If
the scripts contain conflicting changes, the script
listed last (with the lowest URL-script name association
row) is executed and given precedence. Select Save
to complete the script assignment. |
Setting | Description |
---|---|
Enable Certificate Authentication | Option to map the certificate to a domain for automatic authentication in the SOTI Surf application. |
Settings
Setting | Description |
---|---|
Auto Hide Top and Bottom Bar | When enabled, device users can not see or access the top and bottom bars of SOTI Surf. |
Full Screen Mode | When enabled, SOTI Surf remains in full-screen mode. |
Text Scaling | Enter a percentage value from 50 to 200 to set the text size in
the app. Tip: On Android devices,
send the following script to change the zoom level in SOTI Surf:
sendinfo net.USE A
KEYWORD INSTEAD.action.surf BROWSERZOOMLEVEL
200 where 200 is a
percentage value. |
Setting | Description |
---|---|
Restore Tabs on Startup | When enabled, tabs from an earlier session are automatically loaded the next time you launch the SOTI Surf app. |
Open Links in New Tab | When enabled, links open in a new tab instead of the current tab. |
Open Files Automatically after Downloading | When enabled, files downloaded by the device user are automatically opened by the applicable app. |
URL Suggestion | When enabled, SOTI Surf suggests websites as the device user types in the address bar. |
Download Location | The device location where SOTI Surf
saves files downloaded from the internet. This option only applies
to files downloaded from sites not routed through ERG. Downloads
from sites routed through ERG get saved in an application
sandbox. The download location must be in the device's
internal storage, for example, %sdcard% or
a defined directory path. Directory paths must not begin or end
with '/' or '\' and cannot contain the following characters:
Tip: To save downloads at the root
level, leave the download location field blank. If a device has many profiles with conflicting download location settings, settings from the profile created first take precedence. |
Setting | Description |
---|---|
Hide Reset Settings | When enabled, device users can not see or access the Reset Settings option in the SOTI Surf app. |
Open Same Link in Same Tab | Enable the device user to open the same link in the same tab if the link is already open. |
Set User Personal digital assistant | Select the User Personal digital assistant used by SOTI Surf to access web applications. Use this
feature when devices can not accurately render certain web page
applications by SOTI Surf. You can choose
from:
|
Setting | Description |
---|---|
Browsing on Cellular | When enabled, the SOTI Surf app can use cellular networks. |
Roaming | When enabled, the SOTI Surf app can use cellular networks while roaming. |
Wi-Fi | When enabled, the SOTI Surf app can use Wi-Fi networks. |
Setting | Description | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Export Browsing History | Activate this option and specify a folder location in the File
Location field on the device's internal storage to save SOTI Surf's browser history. When many profiles on a device have conflicting file location settings, the settings from the profile created first take priority. |
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Use Log In |
When enabled, select from Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) or IDP.
Specify the user's inactivity time (in minutes) before the user gets logged out. Enter zero to enable inactivity timeout for the browser. After the profile is successfully assigned to a device, the following scenarios could happen:
Note: If the access token value is equal to or
greater than the refresh token value, a validation message
appears:
Access token value should be less than refresh
token value . Similarly, if the refresh token value
is less than the access token value, a validation message
appears: Refresh token value should be higher than the
access token value .Note: If the access and refresh token values
are the same, the following error appears on the refresh token
field:
Refresh token value should be higher than the
access token value . |
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Inactivity Timeout | Select this option to activate the inactivity timeout. When enabled, SOTI Surf logs users out after a specified period of inactivity on the browser. While the timeout is inactive, users remain logged in regardless of inactivity. | ||||
Log Out User After | Specify the user inactivity time (in minutes), before the user gets logged out. Enter zero to enable inactivity timeout for the browser. | ||||
Delay Application Update | Set the duration (in minutes) between the moment a configuration change is sent to the
device and when the app must close to apply the update. During this
process, device users must log in again. After the update has
completed, the device automatically restarts the app. If a device gets assigned many SOTI Surf configurations with conflicting app shutdown times, the first configuration created applies. |
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Open New Tab in Background | When enabled, selecting a link opens a new tab in the
background. Note: If a device has many
assigned profiles but has conflicting tab opening settings, the
setting of the profile created first applies. |
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Allow Zoom Gestures | When enabled, device users can use gestures to zoom in and out in web pages. | ||||
Set Browser Zoom Level | Set the default magnification for all websites displayed in the SOTI Surf browser. Set the zoom level to be between 50 and 500 percent. The default zoom level is 100 percent. | ||||
Allow Media Auto-play | Enabling this feature lets video and audio clips start playing automatically. Muted videos still play automatically. | ||||
Hide Discuss Bar | When enabled, the discuss bar in the SOTI Surf browser becomes hidden. This prevents device users from entering or modifying website URLs, limiting access to the websites listed in the Home screen catalog. | ||||
Allow Pull to Refresh | Enabling this option lets the user refresh the web page using the pull-down gesture. | ||||
Auto-Refresh | Enabling this option refreshes the web page automatically according to the defined frequency. | ||||
Refresh Interval | Define the auto refresh interval for web pages. | ||||
Search Engine |
Select a default search engine for SOTI Surf to run searches from the discuss bar. If a device assigned to more than one profile has conflicting settings, the search engine from the first assigned profile applies. |
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Mixed Content | Select Always Allow to let both HTTP and HTTPS content load when displaying a
web page. Selecting Compatibility Mode enables Android WebView to
allow some insecure content types while possibly blocking other
types. If a device receives many profiles with different mixed content settings, SOTI Surf uses the profile with the earliest creation date. For example, profile A, created first, has a mixed content value of Never Allow. Profile B has the value configured as Compatibility Mode. The device follows Never Allow, as profile A is the earliest. |
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Allow Debugging | When enabled, users can debug web pages displayed in SOTI Surf. For more information on this process,
see Debugging Web Sites and Web Apps in SOTI Surf on Android Devices. If you assign more than one profile to a device, each having a different debugging setting, SOTI Surf uses the profile with the earliest creation date. For example, profile A, created first, has Allow Debugging enabled. Profile B has Allow Debugging disabled. The device follows Allow Debugging as profile A is the earliest. |
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ProGlove Integration | Enable to integrate ProGlove wearable scanners with SOTI Surf. See Integrating ProGlove Scanners with SOTI Surf for more information. | ||||
Disable Appending Enter on Scan | Enable this option to prevent an extra line break after each
scan, ensuring the user remains in the same field. This option comes
disabled by default. Note: Define a custom
intent and implement the
handleProGloveDoubleClick() function in
your website or web application. The SOTI Surf browser invokes this function when
the user double-clicks the scanner. |
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Surf Analytics with XSight | Enable SOTI XSight access to SOTI Surf usage data for analysis profiles. For more information on this process, see Configuring SOTI Surf for Web App Analytics. | ||||
Surf Debug logs | Enable this option to add the Send Debug Report option in SOTI Surf that sends debug logs to SOTI over File Transfer Protocol (FTP). Tip: On Android devices, you can
also run the following legacy script to enable SOTI Surf debug logs: sendinfo
net.soti.action.surf ENABLESENDDEVICEREPORT
1 . |
Privacy
The privacy settings section in the SOTI Surf profile configuration enables the browser to dictate the browsing capabilities of device users.
If more than one profile with different SOTI Surf configurations applies to the same device, the most restrictive version of the setting is used. In general, settings enabled in the Privacy section are more restrictive, with some noted exceptions.
Setting | Description |
---|---|
Allow Copy from Browser | When enabled, device users can copy content from within a
browser, both to other web pages, and to apps outside of the
browser. Note: Enabling this option also
enables Allow Screen Capture when
Browsing and Allow Sharing of
Downloaded Files. Both options can be enabled
without disabling Allow Copy from
Browser. |
Allow Screen Capture when Browsing | When enabled, device users can take screenshots of their screen while SOTI Surf is the active app. |
Allow Downloading of Files | When enabled, device users can download files from within the
SOTI Surf app. Note: Enabling this option also enables the
Allow Sharing of Downloaded Files setting. However,
this option may be deselected independently of Allow
Downloading of Files. |
Allow Sharing of Downloaded Files | When enabled, device users can share files they downloaded in SOTI Surf with another person or app. |
Restrict File Types | Specify file extensions for file types to block device users from
downloading. Separate each file extension with a comma. For
example: |
Preview Files | When enabled, device users can preview files before downloading them. |
Allow Printing | When enabled, device users can print any content from within the
browser. Note: Allow Printing does not
allow cloud printing on sites such as Gmail, where printing
options are available. |
Allow JavaScript | When enabled, JavaScript runs on web pages. Note: Device users may experience significant
limitations when navigating the internet due to the prevalence
of JavaScript. |
Allow Popups | When enabled, SOTI Surf prevents websites from opening pop-up windows. Websites can display the use of alerts or confirmation boxes, but cannot open new web pages. |
Allow Cookies | When enabled, websites can store cookies in SOTI Surf. |
Clear Cookies on Launch |
When enabled, SOTI Surf clears cookies from the previous session when the browser relaunches. Note: You can enable Clear Cookies on
Launch independently of Allow Cookies.
|
Allow third-party Cookies | When enabled, SOTI Surf allows cookies from third-party domains (domains beyond the site the user is visiting). |
Allow Website Cache | When enabled, the browser caches website data when the app closes or when the user navigates away from a web page. |
Allow Auto Fill | When enabled, web pages with forms or fillable fields retain information entered before. |
Allow Safe Search | When enabled, the Safe Search filter blocks inappropriate or explicit images and videos in search results. Device users can still access other web content unless restricted by more web filtering settings. Allow Safe Search applies only to search results. |
Allow Access to Websites with Invalid SSL Certificate | When enabled, device users can access websites with SSL security certificate errors. |
Allow Invalid SSL Certificate Warnings | When enabled, warnings about invalid SSL certificates appear to device users. Warning: This may lead to data
security issues. This option is unavailable if Allow Access to Websites with Invalid SSL Certificate is disabled. |
Clear History on Launch | When enabled, SOTI Surf clears browsing history from earlier
sessions when launched. Note: If a device has
more than one profile with conflicting Clear History on Launch
settings, the profile with the setting enabled takes
precedence. |
Allow Bookmarks | When enabled, device users can save web pages as new bookmarks or
edit existing bookmarks in the SOTI Surf
app. Note: If a device has more than one
profile with conflicting Allow Bookmarks settings, the profile
with the setting disabled takes precedence. |
Open Files in third-party Applications | When enabled, device users can open files not supported by SOTI Surf with third-party applications instead.
Open Files in third-party Applications is more restrictive when
disabled. Note: Devices with conflicting
settings use the disabled setting and block the opening of files
in third-party applications. |
Filtering
Enable Proxy Settings
Setting | Description |
---|---|
Enable Proxy Settings | Enable this option to configure how to route the intranet traffic. |
Select a type: |
Enterprise Resource Gateway (default) or Third-party Proxy. |
- If Enterprise Resource Gateway is selected, refer to the following:
Enterprise Resource Gateway
Use this dialog box to set up an Enterprise Resource Gateway (ERG) for SOTI Surf. ERG routes web traffic through a proxy server and grants device users access to your internal network. ERG requires a configured proxy server to use this feature. Once ERG is active, link the server to SOTI Surf through the SOTI Surf configuration.
See Installing the SOTI Apps Server Extension for more information.
Note: More than one profile can be assigned to the same device with different SOTI Surf configuration settings. If one profile has Use Intranet Gateway enabled, and another profile that targets the same device does not, then only the enabled profile applies. Also, if you assign more than one proxy server to the same device through many profiles, the device does not use all proxy servers. The device uses the first assigned proxy server's settings and ignores all other proxy servers. However, if the profiles share the same proxy settings (IP address/ Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) and port number), then all the domains of each matching profile are applicable.Turn on Enable Intranet Gateway Settings and enter your ERG proxy as an IP address/FQDN and its port number in the Enterprise Resource Gateway fields.
To specify which domains you want to route through the ERG, select Add in the Add a Domain table to add a new row.
Restriction: You cannot specify domains in iOS profiles.Tip: Select Import to upload a .csv or .txt file with a list of domains to SOTI MobiControl. To delete a domain, hover over its row and select Delete.
- If Third-party Proxy is selected, refer to the
following:
Third-party Proxy
Setting Description Third-party Proxy
Specify the details of the third-party proxy server you want to use (mandatory). User Proxy Port Number Specify the user proxy port number (mandatory). Select type of protocol Select the protocol for the third-party proxy to use. Choose from HTTP or SOCK5. Is TSL enabled Specify that the proxy server is using secure protocol. Is authentication required Specify that the proxy requires authentication. Enabling this causes the Username and Password to become visible and mandatory. Username Specify the username to authenticate the SOTI Surf user with the proxy server. Password Specify the password to authenticate the SOTI Surf user with the Proxy server. Exception list Specify the websites you want to exempt from routing through the proxy. Note: If one profile has Enterprise Resource Gateway enabled and another has Third-party Proxy enabled, the profile created first takes effect. However, if one profile enables third-party proxy and another disables it, assigning both profiles results in third-party proxy being enabled.
Website Restrictions
You can block users from accessing websites based on specific URLs or by website content. You can create a blocklist, an allowlist, or block websites based on content type.
When you apply a blocklist, any site on the blocklist redirects the device user to the default URL of blocked websites or a blank page, depending on your settings.
An allowlist is more restrictive than a blocklist. The device user can only access the sites specified on the allowlist. When the device user accesses sites not on the allowed list, SOTI Surf redirects them to the default URL or a blank page, depending on the settings. Redirect URLs are automatically allowlisted.
You can not apply both a blocklist and an allowlist within the same profile configuration. If a device receives a blocklist and an allowlist from two different profiles, the allowlist overrides the blocklist. If a device receives more than one blocklist or more than one allowlist from different profiles, then SOTI Surf combines all the websites (and the exceptions) from the profiles.
Turn on Enable Website Restrictions and select a type: Blocklist or Allowlist.
To specify which websites you want to filter, select Add in the Websites table to add a new row.
To delete an entry, hover over its row and select (delete).
In the Redirection URL for Blocked Websites/Categories, enter a website URL. When device users try to access an unauthorized website, they are automatically redirected to the redirect URL.
Turn on Exclude websites from the filter and select (add) in the Websites table to add a new website exception to your blocklist or allowlist.
Setting | Description |
---|---|
Disable Message on Redirection | Select this option to disable the access-restricted toast
message. Restriction: Enabling this disables the Show Pop-up while
Redirection toggle. |
Show Pop-up while Redirection | Display a pop-up message, prompting the user to stay on
the existing page when SOTI Surf
blocks a website. Restriction: Enabling this disables the Disable
Message on Redirection toggle. |
Website Categories to Block enables the restriction of websites by content category. Choose one or more categories from the pre-defined list, such as News. SOTI Surf blocks all sites related to each selected category.
Add a website to the exception list of an Allowlist web filter to create an exception for web content categories.
Devices with blocked categories in many profiles receive all blocked categories from each applied profile.
Kiosk Mode
Kiosk mode limits SOTI Surf functionality, reducing device users' access to websites and SOTI Surf app settings. This mode disables the discussion bar, and users can only navigate forward through hyperlinks and backward using the back button. The long-press context menu is also disabled.
If you assign more than one kiosk mode setting to a device, the most restrictive one applies.
Turn on Enable Kiosk Mode to start.
Setting | Description |
---|---|
Hide App Bottom Bar | When enabled, device users cannot access the bottom bar of the
SOTI Surf app. The bottom bar includes
the forward and backward navigation buttons, plus the home and the
app menu icons. Selecting this option causes the Hide App Menu and Clear Cookies with Home options to become automatically selected. |
Hide App Menu | When enabled, device users cannot access the app menu. |
Clear Cookies with Home | When enabled, whenever the device user navigates to the home
screen, SOTI Surf clears browser
cookies. Note: This option is redundant if
you select Allow Cookies in the Configure Privacy
Settings section. |
Allow Many Tabs |
When enabled, the device user can access more than one tab in kiosk mode. |
Allow Keyboard | When enabled, device users can display the keyboard. For example,
when selecting a text field. Note: Device users
can still use the keyboard to log in when
disabled. |