Website Content Filtering Solution - Everything You Need To Know!
Susan Morrow
Website Content Filtering Solutions
Content filtering is a process that monitors, screens and restricts access to online content, including websites, emails, files, and applications that may pose a security risk, be inappropriate, offensive, or harmful. Organizations, schools, and businesses often utilize web filtering software to enforce acceptable use policies, protect users from security threats, and maintain compliance with internal or legal requirements.
Content filters can block access to:
- Social networking sites
- Spam sites containing malware or viruses
- Hate sites and violent content
- Pornographic websites
- Virus laden websites
Content filtering is crucial for preventing viruses and malware from infiltrating your network. Malware can be installed simply by visiting a compromised website, through emails, or by downloading executable files. While junk mail folders help reduce spam risk, fraudulent emails can still bypass these defenses and reach your inbox. Clicking a link, downloading a file, or even replying to such emails can result in malware installation. This is why content filters are vital, they help block access to malicious content and protect your network.
How Web Content Filtering Works
Web content filtering works by screening and controlling the websites, URLs, and online content that users can access. When a user attempts to visit a webpage, open an email, or load online content, the traffic is routed through a filtering system. The filter analyzes the request and decides whether to allow or block it based on security rules, content policies, and threat intelligence.
At its core, content filtering protects users from malicious websites and prevents access to content that violates organizational policies. It plays a key role in defending against many types of cyberattacks—such as malware, phishing, spoofing, social engineering, and other web-borne threats, by blocking harmful pages before they load.
Web content filters use several mechanisms to determine whether a site should be accessible:
Allow lists and block lists
Blocklists block specific URLs or domains known to be malicious or inappropriate. These lists can be updated manually or automatically through third-party threat intelligence feeds. Allow lists access only to approved sites, ensuring users stay within safe online boundaries.
Category-Based Filtering
Websites are organized into categories, such as adult content, gambling, gaming, social media, or news. Administrators choose which categories to block or allow based on company policy. This approach is efficient because it filters large groups of websites without requiring individual URL management.
Dynamic Content Analysis
Advanced filters use machine learning and real-time analysis to detect new threats. These systems scan website content and behavior to identify malicious activity as it emerges, which is essential as cyber threats rapidly evolve.
Did You Know?
businesses experienced a DNS attack
malware & spyware domains categorised a day
predefined categories by default
of websites tested by Google for malware were infected
On-Premise Web Filters
On-premise web filters are deployed on a company’s own servers or hardware and managed internally by the IT team. They give organizations complete control over configuration, policy management, and data handling. Common types of on-premise web filters include:
Proxy Servers
Acting as intermediaries between users and the Internet, proxies inspect and filter all web traffic in accordance with predefined policies before granting access.
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
VPNs create secure connections for remote workers and can enforce the same web-filtering rules used on the corporate network.
Firewalls
Often positioned at the network perimeter, firewalls block unauthorized traffic and can filter web requests in accordance with security policies.
Host-Based Filters
Installed directly on individual endpoints, these filters control and restrict web traffic at the device level.
Gateway Filters
Deployed at the network gateway or router, they filter Internet traffic before it enters the organization’s internal network.
While cloud-based versions of firewalls, VPNs, and proxies exist, they are more specialized security tools rather than standalone web filters. Web filtering is one component of their broader security functions.
Who Uses Content Filters?
Content filters are used by a wide range of organizations that need to control, secure, or manage how people access the Internet. Businesses commonly rely on content filtering to keep employees away from distracting, inappropriate, or unsafe websites, which helps maintain productivity and reduce the risk of malware infections caused by accidental downloads.
Schools and educational institutions also use content filters to comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which requires them to block access to obscene or harmful online content and ensure a safe browsing environment for students.
In addition to businesses and schools, libraries, government agencies, healthcare providers, and service providers use content filtering to enforce acceptable-use policies, protect sensitive data, and prevent users from accessing dangerous or non-compliant websites. Any organization that needs to manage online safety, security, productivity, or compliance uses content filters as part of its Internet access strategy.
Why You Need a DNS Filter to Protect Your System?
WebTitan adds a crucial layer of cyber protection, especially when enterprises need it most. The advanced security offered by DNS filtering enables a granular web filter that scales alongside a business as its technology needs evolve. In today's cybersecurity landscape, policymaking alone isn't sufficient.
Businesses must actively manage their technology by leveraging the data it generates. DNS Filtering empowers businesses by providing easy-to-use datasets, putting control directly in the hands of those who need it most.
Enterprise Web Filtering ServiceAn enterprise web filtering service works to protect an organizations network from web-borne threats by blocking access to dangerous websites and file types likely to be infected with malicious software or “malware”. Enterprise web filtering solutions can also enhance workplace productivity, prevent potential HR concerns, address bandwidth issues, and improve the service an organization delivers to its customers. An enterprise web filtering service analyzing every request to visit a website. The request is then compared against blacklists and filtering settings. Access to the website is denied if it is deemed unsafe or violates filtering policies. To provide the maximum level of protection, the best enterprise web filtering services also provide SSL inspection – a feature in which the content of an encrypted https:// website is decrypted and compared against an organization´s filter settings. Enterprise web filtering services are an essential element of an organizations cybersecurity defenses. An enterprise web filtering solution can prevent users from visiting websites likely to contain threats and prevent files from being downloaded that typically contain malware. Enterprise web filtering solutions, therefore, mitigate the risk from phishing attacks and drive-by downloads. |
The Importance of Web Filtering Software for SchoolsWeb filtering for K12 schools is a requirement of the Children´s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) for publicly-funded schools and libraries if they wish to benefit from E-rate discounts on their Internet access. It is also a legal requirement for all schools in twenty-four US states where similar legislation has been enacted. Filtering the Internet for K-12 schoolchildren is not tricky. Organizations can take advantage of cloud-hosted filtering services that are easy to configure and manage, and “cloud keys” now exist that can quickly override parameter settings when adults request unfiltered access to the Internet. WebTitan Cloud is an effective web filtering solution that protects networks from web-borne threats. It fully complies with CIPA and state legislation for filtering the Internet for K12 school children and has mechanisms in place to prevent children from bypassing filtering controls. With WebTitan all devices, including Chromebooks can be locked down to avoid circumvention. With Chromebooks' web filtering in place, schools can comply with federal and state laws and empower students to explore the internet safely. |
"Content filters are similar to parental controls, but they take things a step further."
How Web Filtering Eliminates Bandwidth Issues
A further benefit of web filtering services is that they can be used to eliminate bandwidth issues. Few organizations have unlimited bandwidth, bandwidth abuse causes severe latency and network crashes. Organizations experiencing bandwidth issues can pay for more bandwidth or reduce their bandwidth usage.
One way of reducing bandwidth use is to restrict access to websites such as Netflix and YouTube using an enterprise web filtering service. By restricting access to bandwidth-heavy applications organizations can ensure adequate bandwidth is available to employees.
Evaluating DNS Filters
There are many content filtering solutions available these days, which is why it's important to know how to evaluate them to find the best one for you. Let’s take a look at some of the important criteria to consider.
Minimal Latency
When someone requests to visit a website, the content filter quickly checks your blocklist, categories, and keywords against the filters you have designed, and then allows access to the site. You need a DNS filter that performs these checks in an imperceptible amount of time.
Content Filtering Solutions in Multiple Languages
Internet threats do not limit themselves to a single language, and even if your employees do not speak multiple languages, Google will translate many websites from the language they originated in to your default language. It is a good idea to find a content filtering solution that filters sites across multiple languages, giving you an extra layer of protection against threats.
Integration with Your Directory
Many businesses use directory services like NetIQ and Active Directory. If your company uses these types of services, choose a content filtering solution that integrates with the directory and allows you to apply filters by department or user group.
Updates Automatically
An automatically updating content filter can save your IT crew a lot of time and ensure your system stays protected from the latest threats.
Reliable Customer Support
No matter how good the DNS filter you choose is, there will inevitably come a time when you need to call technical or customer support to get help. You need a filter that offers support at all times so you can get help right when you need it. It is important to note that some DNS filters will charge extra for support.
White Labeling
If you offer services to other businesses and want to offer website filtering to your clients, look for a DNS filter with white-label options. White labeling means that you can use your logo with the service and use it to help strengthen your brand’s image.
"74 percent of organizations had malware spread between employees."
DNS Filter Architecture
There are four major types of architecture for a website content filter, each with its own pros and cons. The way that each of these is set up is slightly different and will greatly determine what type of content filtering solution you select.
Client-Based DNS Filters
The client-based DNS filters are installed on every individual device. This often has a lower price, which makes it great for a small business with only a few employees or for a home network. The filtering needs to be managed and updated separately on each individual device, and the controls can be easier to get around if someone really wants to.
Server-Based Content Filtering Solutions
For a larger organization or school, server-based content filtering solutions are ideal. This is because the software is operated through the server so that you do not need to try to install everything on every individual device. The one drawback with the server-based filter is that it often requires you to purchase hardware and install everything on-site.
Gateway-Based Website Filtering Solutions
The gateway-based filters are a step up from the server-based solution and are ideal for an enterprise. The gateway-based content filters can be installed on your existing hardware, so long as the software is compatible. If you do not want to purchase additional hardware to install your filters, this is a great choice, and it can often provide some of the best content filtering.
Cloud-Based Website Content Filtering Solutions
Cloud-based DNS filters are a good alternative to gateway-based filters. They do not require you to buy hardware or integrate software into your existing system; instead, everything is based in the cloud, and you simply point the DNS at your existing servers. It does everything through the cloud.
WebTitan Content Filtering Solutions
WebTitan’s DNS Filter is the top of the line option for homes, businesses, or schools in need of content filtering solutions. Some of the key features include:
- Malware Blocking
- Content Filtering
- URL Classification
- Corporate Usage Policies
- Flexible Filtering Policies
- URL, Domain & Path Coverage
- Advanced Reporting
- Customer Support
- Real-Time Updates
- Phishing Prevention
- Business Email Compromise Protection
Content filtering safeguards your systems and blocks access to any website you need to restrict. Blocking access to websites that host malware, phishing scams, or other cyber threats helps protect the organization's network and data from potential attacks. Regarding productivity, restricting access to non-work-related sites, such as social media or streaming services, can help employees stay focused and improve productivity during work hours. Content filtering can also help prevent legal issues; if a user or minor accesses illegal or unauthorized content, it can expose an organization to legal risks. Blocking such sites helps avoid potential legal problems.
Our team is ready to answer any content and web filtering questions and help you get started today!
Susan Morrow
- DNS FILTERING
- WEB FILTERING
- CONTENT FILTERING
Web Content Filtering FAQs
Malware prevention and web filtering software block users from opening malicious websites in their browsers. It’s useful for organizations to use web content filtering software to stop web-based attacks including malware downloads and ransomware. It also stops users from accessing phishing web pages that steal employee credentials and private information.
Instead of solely using antivirus and antimalware programs for data protection, malware filtering blocks users from downloading from specific domains. When users attempt to access downloads from a specific domain in their browsers, the malware filtering software blocks access immediately during the DNS lookup process, so users receive a warning message in their browser rather than the download.
Whether it’s a phishing email or a malicious online link, users are an organization’s weakest link. Web filters block users from accessing malicious downloads and domains hosting phishing content so that they are not tempted into installing malware on their local workstations or divulging sensitive information, such as network credentials to attackers.
A web filter combined with email filtering software greatly reduces the risks of phishing. Employees cannot access a malicious domain if email filtering software presents a false negative, so a web filter acts as a failsafe to protect users from opening an attacker-controlled web page after clicking on an embedded phishing link in an email.
When a user tries to retrieve a web page in their browser, a web filter works by blocking the domain during the lookup query on the domain’s name server. By blocking the DNS lookup, users cannot retrieve any malicious content or download malware to their local workstations, saving an organization from malware or ransomware attacks.
Web filtering software blocks anyone on the network from retrieving phishing or malware downloads using their browsers. It’s an added layer of cybersecurity for any organization where users have open access to the internet. Blocking content during the DNS query also stops malware from reaching a workstation and forces users to rely on antivirus software.
Using a phishing email, attackers trick users into retrieving malicious content. Organizations can use web filtering software to block users from loading known phishing domains and domains known for distributing malware. A web filter blocks domains during a DNS query so administrators can configure the environment to block categories of inappropriate content and malicious domains.
To add a layer of cyber security on a network, administrators integrate web filtering software to block known malicious domains. Web filtering software blocks a malicious domain during DNS queries when users type a malicious domain into their browsers. By blocking a domain, users receive a warning message and can’t access the domain, so an organization essentially lowers the risks of a data breach from web-based threats.
Web filters block malicious websites from being loaded in user browsers. Employees tricked into clicking a malicious link in a phishing email or opening a domain known for hosting malicious content will be blocked from accessing it and will receive a warning. Web filters also provide reports so that administrators can review any suspicious domain requests.
Talk to our Team today
