If you want to control access to specific websites, you need a web filter – not a firewall. In this article I’ll compare web filtering software to firewalls so you can get the best internet filter for controlling employee internet access.
That said, a web filter is not a direct replacement for a firewall. Each tool has its own unique use-cases. For the greatest security, a multi-layered approach that includes both solutions is ideal.
A web filter is best for… | A firewall is best for… |
When you want to block internet access based on users, devices, or workgroups. | When you want to control inbound (ingress) and outbound (egress) traffic separately. |
When you want to block websites based on their URL | When you want to prevent unauthorized traffic within your network |
When you want to easily configure internet access permissions for several endpoints | When you want to block traffic that has been identified as being potentially malicious |
Fundamentally web filters and firewalls serve different purposes. A web filter blocks access to specific types of web content and a firewall prevents your network from exposing internal services and computers to external threats.
Traditional firewalls and web filters operate at different layers of the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model.
While Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) can operate at layer 7 to block specific websites, these tools are designed to protect networks and web applications from application-based security flaws such as SQL injections. If you want to block websites to enforce internet use policies, a web filter is quicker and easier to manage.
BrowseControl is an easy-to-use web filter that helps organizations enforce policies, improve productivity, reduce bandwidth consumption, and meet compliance requirements – no matter where their users are located.
With BrowseControl you can ensure a safe and productive environment by blocking high-risk, distracting, or inappropriate websites, improve network performance by blocking bandwidth hogs, and prevent users from using unsanctioned applications and software-as-a-service providers
BrowseControl’s security policies are enforced by a software agent that is installed on your user’s computers. This allows the solution to continue blocking websites and applications even when computers are taken off-site.
BrowseControl’s central console allows you to configure your security policies from the convenience of a web browser.
With BrowseControl you can Block or allow websites based on URL, category, domain, or IP address, assign custom policies for each group of computers or users, prevent users from launching specific applications, and block network ports to reduce the attack surface of your network
There are three key methods for blocking websites with BrowseControl:
The Blocked List allows you to block specific websites based on URL, domain, or IP address
Category Filtering allows you to block millions of websites across over 100 content categories including pornography, social media, and virus-infected sites.
and finally, you can use the Allowed List to allow specific websites that would otherwise be blocked based on their category, or for the greatest security and control you can block all websites except for those that are on the Allowed List.
When your users try to visit a blocked website they can either be presented with a custom warning message or directed to another site, such as a page with a reminder of your organization’s internet use policy.
With BrowseControl’s App Blocker you can prevent your users from launching specific applications.
Simply select the group you would like to restrict, enter the Original Filename of the application to the Application List, and add it to the blocked applications list.
When the user tries to launch the blocked application they can be presented with a custom warning message that alerts them of the restriction.
BrowseControl is best used in tandem with our computer monitoring software BrowseReporter. Using both solutions provides the visibility and control you need to ensure that your organization’s computers are being used appropriately.
Don’t let internet abuse run rampant in your organization. Take back control over web browsing with a free trial of BrowseControl.
Get started today by visiting CurrentWare.com/Download
If you have any technical questions during your evaluation our support team is available to help you over a phone call, live chat, or email.
Thank you!
Web filters use URL filtering and domain filtering to block websites. BrowseControl restricts internet access by comparing the websites that employees are visiting to an established blacklist (blocked list) and whitelist (allowed list). Any URLs or domains (eg. Facebook.com) that are on the blacklist are blocked from being accessed.
Unless you are using a next generation firewall (NGFW) with an integrated web filter that allows you to block specific URLs, a dedicated web filter is going to give you far more granularity for controlling access to websites.
With a web filter you can:
Firewalls with added DNS-based internet restriction capabilities can block websites as well, but they can only block the entire website – not specific URLs. When a user types in “YouTube.com”, their browser will make a DNS query to get the IP address of the website. Unfortunately, a firewall with a DNS filter cannot tell the difference between YouTube.com or https://www.youtube.com/user/Currentware/ as they both have the same IP address.
BrowseControl makes web filtering incredibly easy:
Learn More: How to Block a Website
Want to try it yourself? Click the button below to get a free trial of BrowseControl
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