Using the Domain Name System to filter out dangerous or inappropriate content and prevent malicious websites is known as DNS filtering. This guarantees the safety of company information and gives employers authority over what their staff members can access on networks under company management. A DNS web filter is one of the most crucial tools that businesses can use to stop people from accessing harmful websites. We’ll examine DNS Web Filtering in detail and its operation in this guide.
What is the Domain Name System (DNS)?
The Domain Name System, or DNS, translates domain names, like businessyield.com, to IP addresses, like 192.0.2.24. Just like you store a phone number as a person’s name on your contact list instead of memorizing every single phone number, DNS is required to enable users to browse websites without having to memorize complicated lists of numbers.
The loading of content occurs only once the user’s device has determined the right IP address when they view a website or use a web application.
What is a DNS filtering system?
DNS filtering is the process of preventing access to particular websites for a predetermined goal, frequently content-based filtering. When a website, or group of websites, is considered dangerous, a DNS filter blocks its IP address and prevents it from being accessed. Websites that are known to present a serious risk of malware, porn gambling, productivity sinks, and other categories may all be blocked.
Businesses need DNS filtering because it may drastically minimize the number of risks that a network is exposed to, which helps MSPs and IT professionals put in a lot less effort when it comes to remediation.
A further advantage of DNS filtering for companies is higher worker productivity. Peer-to-peer streaming websites are a definite source of malware, but they can also waste bandwidth and divert employees. Business owners can regain control of their networks by setting DNS filtering policies to block time-wasting websites like these.
How do DNS filtering services work?
A DNS resolver receives all DNS queries. In addition to serving as filters, specially configured DNS resolvers can also prevent users from accessing specific sites by refusing to answer queries for those domains that are recorded in a blocklist.
Let’s say a worker for the company gets a phishing email and is duped into clicking on a link that takes them to a malicious website. The employee’s computer sends a query to the company’s DNS resolving service, which makes use of DNS filtering before it loads the webpage. The DNS resolver will block the request if the malicious website is on that company’s blocklist. This will stop malicious-website.com from loading and thwart the phishing attempt.
DNS filtering can block web properties either by domain name or by IP address.
- By domain: Certain domains’ IP addresses are not resolved, or looked up, by the DNS resolver in any way.
- By IP address: The DNS resolver makes an effort to resolve every domain; however, it won’t return the IP address to the querying device if it is listed as blocked.
How does DNS filtering help block malware and phishing attacks?
#1. Filtering out harmful websites
Harmful websites can try to deceive visitors into downloading harmful software, which is malicious software that happens automatically when a webpage loads. There are also several additional conceivable attacks.
DNS filtering can stop users from loading malicious URLs altogether, thwarting these types of assaults.
#2. Blocking phishing websites
A phishing website is a fraudulent website designed to get login credentials through deceptive tactics. The domain that is being used may be a fake or simply an official-looking domain that most users won’t bother to doubt. The objective is to trick the user into providing an attacker with their account credentials, regardless of the technique used. DNS filtering can be used to prevent access to these websites.
These features are reliant on the DNS filtering system’s ability to recognize rogue IP addresses or domains as undesirable. Although this fraudulent activity can be stopped by DNS filtering, attackers create new domains very quickly, making it impossible to blocklist them all.
How does DNS Filtering Software know which websites to Block?
For optimal outcomes, DNS filters need to be updated often with the most recent threat intelligence data. Users cannot be prevented from accessing a compromised website by a DNS filter if it is not included in the filtering database.
Compromised IP addresses are kept in databases by numerous threat intelligence services. A partnered cybersecurity service notifies one of these threat intelligence providers whenever it discovers malicious behavior on a newly launched website.
DNS filtering systems are only as trustworthy as the information they can access. Better filters with larger database sizes are able to identify and block harmful websites more quickly than others.
The top providers of threat intelligence look for signs of dangerous online activity in a proactive manner. Only a few providers, though, are able to provide thorough internet access. Numerous threat intelligence services provide information that is used to improve MSP DNS filtering systems.
How do I enable DNS filtering?
- Go to Integrations > Integration Management at the System or Service Organization level.
- On the DNS Filtering line on the main page on the right, click Activate.
- Following the completion of activation, DNS filtering will appear.
- To start configuring DNS filtering on your customers’ and sites’ domains, click Manage.
The Best DNS Filtering Service
#1. WebTitan Cloud
WebTitan Cloud is a powerful web filtering solution that offers sophisticated DNS filtering settings together with threat protection. The platform offers defense against hazardous web material, viruses, ransomware, and malicious and phishing websites. With its extensive policy engine and ability to screen over 500 million URLs, WebTitan gives administrators the ability to set up precise content filtering rules and categories. Strong threat prevention and ease of use are two features that WebTitan Cloud offers to users who operate remotely or in the office. WebTitan is a powerful option for SMBs, MSPs, and educational institutions seeking DNS-based online protection because it is scalable, quick, and reasonably priced.
#2. DNSFilter
DNSFilter is an online security and content-filtering program made for MSPs, corporations, and mid-sized businesses. This system increases the safety of internet browsing by instantly eliminating hazardous information and giving IT personnel vital visibility.
Through DNS-level protection, the software helps avoid over one-third of security events by preventing users from visiting dangerous websites.
Furthermore, various companies, ranging from tiny businesses to major corporations, can use DNSFilter for security and filtering against online dangers. The software is designed to assist companies in thwarting emerging threats, resolving current problems, and limiting access to bandwidth-hungry and time-wasting websites. DNSFilter gets support from a worldwide network of quick DNS servers and includes an intuitive interface.
#3. Cisco Umbrella
Cisco Umbrella is the top DNS-based web safe gateway service available. It has billions of web pages filtered. Cisco does cutting-edge research on cyber threats. Their ability to detect and protect against online threats has significantly improved as a result. Their admin controls are incredibly adaptable, offering a variety of security measures to ensure that every member of an organization has the protection they require. Cisco provides a selection of scheduled and pre-made reports.
Additionally, Cisco offers administrators three tiers of content filtering, making it simple to handle. This enables you to configure your service’s filtering to be at a low, medium, or high level.
#4. Webroot DNS Protection
Webroot provides a lightweight, quick, and simple-to-use web filtering service. Customers who presently use Webroot Endpoint Protection can easily switch to this service. Webroot uses a contextual analysis engine in conjunction with machine learning to monitor the internet for risks. This offers a high degree of network security by instantly recognizing threats.
Webroot DNS protection is an excellent service that is reasonably priced. MSPs like it because of how simple it is to set up and how little assistance it requires after that. Businesses seeking industry-leading threat protection, comprehensive reporting and logging, and adaptable admin policies should choose this solution.
#5. Mimecast Web Security
Mimecast Web Security prevents visitors from visiting dangerous or malicious websites by continuously monitoring all web traffic. In order to enforce acceptable usage regulations, administrators can also choose which categories of websites users are permitted to view. This aids in defending your company against online cyberattacks, such as phishing sites that pretend to be legitimate websites. Mimecast offers quick implementation; in less than an hour, online security may be set up throughout the entire enterprise.
Furthermore, because of their sophisticated cyber threat intelligence, Mimecast is able to provide a high level of threat protection. Their multi-tenant cloud infrastructure gives them insight into tens of thousands of clients worldwide, giving them a good understanding of new dangers. When combined with their email security solution, Mimecast’s Web Security operates seamlessly on a single, user-friendly platform.
#6. Barracuda Content Shield
Barracuda Content Shield is an online security platform that runs in the cloud and offers reporting, file-based security, policy enforcement, and content filtering. To shield consumers from harmful online content, Content Shield offers DNS filtering and URL reporting. To guarantee that remote users are completely protected even when they are not connected to the network, it employs agent-based filtering.
Barracuda’s threat intelligence network powers Content Shield, which offers real-time defense against internet threats. Users are shielded from harmful online material, downloaded files, and endpoint files by it. Additionally, Content Shield allows administrators configurable notifications when fraudulent behavior is discovered and gives organizations visibility into user actions on a per-user basis.
#7. Cloudflare Gateway
Cloudflare offers detailed insight into internet traffic. Administrators can detect unauthorized SaaS apps, compromised devices, and dangers by scanning for them. Every large organization in the world uses Cloudflare. The enterprise’s ease of use and feature diversity are highly praised by users.
#8. Avast Secure Web Gateway
The Avast Secure Web Gateway is a web security software that runs in the cloud and shields users from online threats before they can access your network. Using a single, user-friendly platform enables enterprises to safeguard their network traffic in the cloud. In order to shield users from threats in real time, the Avast threat detection network uses information from 21 distinct threat feeds. The platform can be set up in three simple steps and focuses on ease of use and deployment.
Avast places a strong emphasis on usability and deployment ease because it is intended for use by small security teams and businesses. With a single admin panel to handle a variety of security services, the gateway can be set up and operational in a matter of minutes.
What is URL filtering?
URL filtering limits the content that web users can view on the web. It achieves this by preventing the loading of specific URLs. Employers use URL filtering to help stop workers from misusing company assets, such as computers and network capacity, in ways that are detrimental to the business. By obstructing harmful websites, URL filtering also aids in the mitigation of malware and phishing attacks.
What is the difference between URL filtering and DNS filtering?
The primary distinction is that, whereas DNS filtering blocks DNS queries, URL filtering blocks URLs. To put it another way, DNS filtering blocks domains, but URL filtering blocks webpages. By banning the domain name, DNS filtering enables the censorship of a website and all of its web pages, regardless of their URLs.
Why use DNS filters?
By preventing users from visiting dubious and harmful websites, DNSFilter helps prevent almost ⅓ of security incidents. Using the Domain Name System to filter out dangerous or inappropriate content and prevent malicious websites is known as DNS filtering. This guarantees the safety of company information and gives employers authority over what their staff members can access on networks under company management.
How to prevent DNS attacks
While there isn’t a foolproof method to stop a DNS attack, taking the following precautions can lessen the likelihood:
- DNS attacks can be avoided by using DNS blocking as a security measure against spam and phishing. This approach makes it more difficult for entities to identify harmful websites or specific domains on the internet.
- Set up a DNS response rate limitation on your authoritative DNS servers.
- Throttling DNS traffic is appropriate based on the kind of DNS packet. A zone transfer reply, for instance, would have a greater threshold than a reply containing the DNS server name.
- If at all possible, collaborate with your Internet provider to restrict or prevent unwanted traffic on your network.
- Keep an eye on your network and record client IPs that use excessive amounts of bandwidth.
- Websites that are accessible to the public should be load-balanced and have reserves for extra bandwidth and CPU power in case of an attack. Google supports this approach.
How do I clean up DNS?
#1. How to clean or flush DNS on Mac:
- Open Finder.
- Click Applications.
- Scroll down to the Utilities folder and click it.
- Open Terminal.
- In the Terminal window, enter the following command string:
Ventura & Monterey: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
Lion, Mountain Lion, Mavericks, El Capitan, Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
Yosemite: sudo discoveryutil mdnsflushcache
Tiger: lookupd -flushcache
- Click enter, then input your admin password.
- Click enter again.
#2. How to Flush DNS Windows
- Click the Start button on the bottom left corner.
- Select Command Prompt from the list of apps.
- If there’s a popup asking you to allow Command Prompt to make changes to your computer, select Yes.
- If you are asked for an administrative login, then you’ll need to contact your system administrator to proceed.
- In the command prompt window, type ipconfig/flushdns.
- Press Enter.
#3. How to Clear Chrome’s DNS Cache
- Launch Google Chrome on your desktop device.
- Type the following address into your browser’s address bar: chrome://net-internals/#dns
- Click the Clear Host cache button.
- All done!
How do I check if DNS is blocked?
To check if DNS is blocked, you can try the following methods:
Use a different DNS server:
- Temporarily change your DNS server to a public DNS service like Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1).
- If you can access the internet after changing the DNS server, it’s likely that your original DNS server is blocked.
How does DNS filtering block prohibited content?
Blocking access to specific types of content involves blocking IP addresses or domain names that are known to host illegal content, preventing people from accessing them. As an alternative, all other websites can be blocked using DNS filtering, and company-approved domains added to an allowlist.
What are secure DNS servers?
A secure DNS server is a DNS resolver that blocks websites that are harmful or forbidden as part of a DNS filtering service. In order to safeguard user data, certain secure DNS servers also provide greater privacy. Cloudflare, for instance, provides a DNS resolving service called 1.1.1.1 that deletes all DNS query logs after 24 hours.
What is the difference between DNS filtering and web filtering?
The phrase “web filtering” is wide and can be applied to various techniques for managing web traffic. One kind of web filtering is DNS filtering. Content, keyword, and URL filtering are some other types of web filtering.
Conclusion: What Should You Look for in a DNS Filtering Solution?
First, when selecting a DNS filtering solution, it’s crucial to take implementation and administrative simplicity into account. While some solutions might be cloud-based and require no extra gear, others can require hardware that is located on-premises.
Cost is a crucial factor to take into account when selecting any kind of service. While certain DNS filtering options might be sold as a stand-alone product, others might be sold as a component of a broader security suite. To select the ideal option for your company, make sure to evaluate features and prices.
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