A DNS server filter allows you to carefully control the web content that can be accessed by your employees, guests, and customers that connect to your wired or Wi-Fi networks.
A DNS server filter works at the DNS lookup stage of internet access. When a user attempts to visit a website or webpage, the URL must first be converted into a unique IP address. That is achieved by performing a DNS lookup. A request is sent to a DNS server to find the IP address associated with a URL. The DNS server searchers for the IP address, and if it is found, it is sent to the browser. The browser then makes a connection to the URL and content is downloaded and displayed.
A DNS server filter performs a series of checks to determine whether the IP address should be supplied. If the resource violates pre-defined policies, rather than providing the IP address, the user is redirected to a local block page and is informed that they are not permitted to access that web resource.
A DNS Server Filter is an Essential Security Tool
The key to developing a good security posture is layered defenses. You should have overlapping layers of security to ensure that if one measure fails to block a threat, other controls are in place to provide protection. Firewalls allow you to control who can access your network and internal resources. Spam filtering software will block spam, phishing emails, and malware delivered via email, and antivirus software serves as another layer to prevent the execution of any malware that somehow sneaks past those defenses. If you do not have some form of internet control in place, you will be exposed to a wide range of web-based attacks.
A DNS server filter provides that protection and blocks attempts to visit malicious websites, such as those used for malware and ransomware delivery and phishing. If a phishing email is not blocked by your spam filter, a web filter serves as an extra layer of protection to block the attack. If you have failed to apply a patch, a web filter provides protection from malicious websites that host exploits for the vulnerability. DNS filters also allow you to block access to unsuitable web content such as pornography, hate speech, and productivity draining content such as gaming, gambling, and dating sites.
Advantages of a DNS Server Filter Over Other Forms of Internet Control
There are several ways that controls can be applied to restrict access to certain types of website, but DNS filtering is the most practical choice for most businesses. Being DNS based, all filtering takes place in the cloud so there are no hardware requirements. Clients do not need to be downloaded to users’ devices and controls can be applied for wired and Wi-Fi networks. DNS filtering also allows employers to protect corporate devices on public Wi-Fi networks.
A DNS filter is quick and easy to set up. You just need to choose a service provider, pay for the solution, and direct your DNS to the service provider’s DNS. You can be filtering the internet in under five minutes. Further, with DNS filtering, there is no latency, so internet speed is unaffected.
WebTitan Cloud: DNS-Based Internet Filtering for SMBs, ISPs, and MSPs
WebTitan Cloud is a 100% cloud-based DNS filtering solution that will protect your monitor, control, and protect your users, no matter where they connect to the internet. Once you have purchased WebTitan Cloud you can be protecting your users in under five minutes.
If you want to improve malware and phishing protection, protect telecommuting workers from web-based threats, and exercise control over the types of content that can be accessed by your employees or customers, why not try a 14 day free trial?