The Internet has seeped into all parts of our lives. And with all its benefits, fraudulent and inappropriate content came. If you wish to keep your business and its data safe, you should pay special attention to these criminal attempts.
Luckily, there is a myriad of ways to grow your business while avoiding the bulk of risks lurking online. DNS filtering for businesses is a cost-effective method to control internet usage. Think of it as the regulatory gateway for your network.
Here is a little bit about DNS and the top benefits of implementing DNS-based web filtering for your organization.
What is a DNS?
DNS stands for Domain Name System. It acts as a phonebook that gives you what you want in mere seconds. It lets users connect to websites using domain names instead of IP addresses (Internet Protocol addresses).
Thanks to DNS, we don’t have to type in a bunch of unique numbers and characters that make up an IP address and can identify a device in a network. Instead, we just have to memorize the domain name of a website. DNS takes it from there, corresponding a web domain name with its IP address.
Here’s how it works:
- You type in a domain name in your web browser’s web address bar
- Your device creates a DNS query
- The query is sent to a DNS resolver which acts as a unique kind of web server
- The resolver matches the domain name you typed in with an IP address
- It does this by checking other DNS servers or checking the cache.
- The DNS server sends information back to you in the form of “domain resolving”, along with the right IP address
- Voila – you accessed the website you want!
These seven steps just took you longer to read than the process takes in reality – it lasts just a few microseconds, given a good Internet connection!
What Exactly is DNS Filtering?
DNS filtering happens when DNS blocks and restricts fraudulent and harmful websites and code. This filtering takes place in the phase before a connection is made to the server that hosts the requested web content.
DNS filtering thus secures your business data, your user’s data, and other network assets. That means that you have more control over your information and its flow. Moreover, it gives you a chance for more transparency in the organization and a way of tracking accessibility.
DNS filtering is popular because this web filtering is the simplest way of restricting inappropriate websites in a network. No additional hardware and software are needed for that since the client system doesn’t need to run any extra programs.
All you need is a file with DNS queries and hostnames that point to hosts at a different IP address. And if you run into snags concerning DNS filtering, your managed service providers (MSP) should have proper helpdesk services in place to help you out.
Top Benefits of DNS Filtering
DNS filtering for organizations is a must to protect against online threats such as phishing and malware. In the post-Covid era, it’s especially smart for any business to look into the matter if they employ remote workers.
Companies can add an extra layer of security by using DNS filtering to stop employees from clicking on links that are used maliciously.
Additionally, DNS filters enable companies to implement acceptable Internet usage guidelines and prevent access to websites with illegal content, material inappropriate for the office, and groups of websites that significantly reduce productivity (we’re looking at you, Instagram).
A DNS filter is not bound to a single physical location, but it is simple to set up for internal networks of businesses, impose content controls, and block online risks. Companies can use DNS filtering on wired networks, internal WiFi networks, and public WiFi hotspots.
Here are the key benefits of DNS filtering for your business:
- Restricts access to dangerous websites
- Restricts access to sites that drain productivity
- Lowers the chance of phishing attacks
- Protect workers from zero-day malware threats
- Stops malware downloads and copyright infringing file downloads
- Helps implement smart and acceptable Internet usage guidelines
- Asssits to secure devices even when staff is working off-site
- Manages bandwidth usage
- Brings up the level of employee productivity
If you are confused about terms such as “zero-day” and “phishing”, read on about the dangers DNS filtering keeps you safe from.
Malware: This category encompasses things you’ve probably heard about – trojans, viruses, spyware, ransomware, etc. Malware takes advantage of a vulnerability to get past a security barrier, like clicking on a dangerous link or downloading an e-mail attachment.
Phishing attack: That happens a lot when attackers pose as trustworthy sources and send many harmful e-mails to users. It can be a way to get to the core of a business or just a random attack to obtain user data.
Man-in-the-middle attacks: These happen when a transaction between sender and receiver is intercepted by an attacker who then manipulates or steals the information.
Denial-of-Service assaults: It happens when web traffic is overloaded on purpose through bandwidth and resources. Networks, systems, and servers fall prey to this attack. Also, it opens the door for additional cyberattacks.
SQL injections: These occur when malicious code is introduced into a server or system using the SQL language to persuade the server to divulge protected data.
Zero-Day attacks: These involve taking advantage of a vulnerability in a network or system that has just been made public and for which there are no security updates yet.
Final Word
Other kinds of threats include IoT cyberattacks, rootkits, cross-site scripting, and password theft.
Thus, you must constantly be ready with powerful security measures to fend against them if you wish to protect yourself from these devastating cyber attacks. And an excellent method to do it is through DNS filtering.
