Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which implement network data traffic identification and analysis at a low level in the network to thereby filter and/or prevent undesired data communication sourced therein. Preferred embodiments utilize a network interface of the present invention, having intelligent control logic thereon, to provide tagging of data packets for identification and/or analysis, such as to provide filtering of further transmission of appropriate data packets by a server deployed at the edge of an external network. Additionally or alternatively, a network interface of the present invention may be utilized to prevent communication of data packets, such as by recognizing that a transmission bandwidth threshold is being exceeded and, therefore, disabling transmission of data packets.