Configuring a DNS Filtering Solution

A DNS Filtering solution occupies the space between you making a request to view a website and the website itself being loaded to your browser. When you make the request to view a site it runs a check for prohibited content to ensure that everything is safe, compliant and in line with the Internet Code of Conduct for your organization. If there are any question marks in relation to the content then access to the page is denied.

It is possible for you to create your own list of content that is forbidden to be viewed within your organization. A directory of web pages, malicious content, questionable categories and specific file extensions can be added to or edited to and linked to your DNS filter. The main aim for most companies is to address the threat posed by cyber attacks. However, there are other advantages to be gained including increased productivity and less of a drain on your network speeds.

DNS Filtering Mechanisms

There are three main mechanisms to a DNS filtering solution. They work as follows:

Blacklists: There are directories available for reference on the Internet that include millions of websites that have been marked as “unsafe”. By implementing these websites that are known to host malware or viruses used in hacking attacks will be blocked.
Category filters: In the same way that blacklists of websites have been established there are also categories that have been assigned to certain websites. You can choose which of these categories that you would like to restrict access to such as pornography, Internet shopping, social media platforms, etc. There is also an option to set up customized categories.
Keyword filters: using this you can block websites that contain a specific density of certain words.

An added bonus to be gained from putting in a place a DNS web filter an increased level of productivity from your staff. AS you will be able to eliminate access to webpages traditionally associated with cyberslacking then you will have a much more focused set of employees. Also, it may be the case that you need to allow one set of employees access to social media platforms, human resources or marketing for example, and this is possible thanks to the granular nature of a DNS web filter.

Bandwidth is an important consideration as well. Certain websites can be quite full of large files and represent a significant drain on the connectivity speeds of your network. You can block sites that are guilty of this and allow everyone to work unhindered by poor Internet speeds.

These filters can be implemented on every available web filter and Internet browser. Once an account is created by a network manager the IP address of your organization can be submitted and the DNS filter will begin to work in tandem with your servers. There is no limit to the amount of users that it will monitor.

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