- Cloud Protection
- Compliance
- Data Leak Prevention
- Bring your own device
- Copy protection
- Data access control
- Data at rest
- Data in transit
- Data in use
- Data leakage
- Data loss prevention
- Data security
- Data security breach
- Data theft
- File security
- Incident response
- Indicators of compromise
- Insider threat
- Ransomware attack
- USB blocker
- BadUSB
- USB drop attack
- Data Risk Assessment
- File Analysis
- File Audit
Web filtering
What is web filtering?
A web filter, or internet filter, analyzes the web applications accessed by users and restricts access to blocklisted websites, content, and domains deemed malicious or inappropriate by admins. Organizations employ web filtering software to block potential cyber risks, limit user interactions on websites, and prevent unsafe or explicit content from being accessed by users.
How do web filters work?
Internet content filters are usually a part of cloud access security brokers (CASBs) or other cloud protection software deployed to prevent access to harmful applications and block security threats. Content control software can:
- Block access to lists of websites and cloud applications banned by administrators.
- Generate a risk profile or score web applications based on threat analytics or category of webpage content.
The types of internet filters employed are based on an organization's needs. This includes client-based filters installed in endpoints, network filters installed in the transport layer of the network, or a browser-based filter as a plug-in or extension that limits access only for a particular browser.
Why is web filtering important?
Internet filtering is one of the layers of network security that thwarts cyber risks and maintain productivity. Admins might use web filters to:
- Block known dangerous websites or harmful URLs that may contain, for example, malware, or spyware.
- Restrict access to potential emails containing phishing links.
- Prevent users or students from accessing explicit content, gaming websites, or video streaming sites.
- Block access to personal data storage applications like Dropbox or OneDrive.
- Allow only websites or cloud applications authorized by the organization.
Web filtering with DataSecurity Plus
ManageEngine DataSecurity Plus offers web filtering functionality in its cloud app discovery tool to detect web requests, categorize web applications as banned, and shadow apps to help admins take action as required. It can detect malicious websites on the internet with the help of built-in threat analytics that classifies web apps using a risk score.
Some of the features of the web filtering tool include:
- Cloud application discovery to monitor all web accesses to the cloud.
- Assessment of websites with risk profiling within the console to identify shadow IT and risky applications.
- Controls to allow or block risky websites by identifying malignant domains.
- Deep packet inspection to analyze HTTPS traffic passing through the internet.
- Review of file uploads to cloud applications like Dropbox or SharePoint.
- Analysis of user activity in the cloud, including tracking of e-commerce or gaming websites accessed.
Schedule a personalized demo to try all these features and more. Alternatively, you can also download our free, fully functional, 30-day trial.
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