Web content filtering software provides several distinct versions of a solution that can help manage, track, and secure your company’s web access and usage. With cybersecurity threats like phishing attacks and malware, businesses of all sizes need to protect their data and give employees the tools needed to simplify security.
What is Web Content Filtering?
Web content filtering is a software solution that helps protect companies by blocking certain categories of content on corporate-sponsored and BYOD devices. Regulating web content in the form of filtering or blocking also keeps your business safer from phishing schemes and hacking attempts.
Not only is the majority of work occurring on mobile devices now, it’s also almost always happening online. By allowing companies to track, regulate, and prohibit certain content, web content filtering software protects your business from compliance breaches, bandwidth issues, productivity concerns, and more.
Key Types of Web Content Filtering
There are a few different methods of web content filtering – and each provides a unique solution. Depending on your business needs, these strategies can be used independently or layered to form a protective barrier that allows access to necessary online resources, but blocks security threats. Learn more about these different approaches to web content filtering.
URL Filtering
URL filtering is a method that blocks (or allows) access to websites based on URL categories such as social media, entertainment, gambling, and more. This method can also block specific URLs, prohibiting access to sites that may not fit a generalized category, but need to be blocked. URL filtering is best for businesses that need to block content for productivity purposes and keep workers on-task. The option to block entire categories can be significantly valuable in streamlining web access management.
Keyword Filtering
Keyword filtering is a content filtering technique that uses keywords to block access to certain web pages or, in some cases, entire websites. This method works by blocking web content that contains specified keywords or a string of keywords within text, alt text, or image descriptions of web pages and websites. This option is best for businesses that need to prevent access to web content with specific keywords such as sites with adult content or sensitive topics.
DNS Filtering
DNS filtering is a sophisticated approach to web content filtering that uses the domain name system to block malicious websites and filter out harmful or inappropriate content. This particular method requires a “block list” of domains that each website gets filtered through to ensure it is not a “match” for any domains on that block list. This solution is most useful for businesses that need to block malicious websites at the domain level and are most at risk for phishing attacks, such as SMBs with fewer IT and cybersecurity resources, as well as those in highly-regulated industries.
Content Category Filtering
Content category web filtering works by blocking predefined categories of content such as gambling, adult content, or social media. Using content analysis, content category filtering evaluates all data on a webpage to determine if any content fits a predetermined category and blocks any harmful or inappropriate material. Content category filtering is best for organizations that need to block entire categories of websites with minimal manual configuration, such as public libraries and schools.
Application Filtering
Application filtering is a technique that targets specific applications rather than strictly web content. Application filtering allows companies to block or allow usage based on the application’s work relevance, protecting both security and productivity. Applications such as instant messaging apps, email clients, cloud storage services, file-sharing, and streaming tend to be the focus of this type of filtering.
Why Businesses Need Web Content Filtering
The rising popularity of remote work, especially on personal devices, creates a need to ensure stronger device security and employee productivity. Web content filtering solutions keep businesses productive, secure, and compliant in a world of constantly changing technology and more sophisticated cyberthreats that emerge daily.
Security Benefits
From work to personal pursuits, so much of our daily lives happen online. This opens the door to risks of malware, ransomware, phishing attacks, and data breaches on devices that double for business and personal use. Web filtering software can significantly reduce the likelihood of your business and proprietary information falling victim to cyber criminals.
Productivity Benefits
From social media to gaming apps, there are a variety of cyber distractions that can be easily accessed from any mobile device. Utilizing a filtering solution that blocks those sites and apps lowers risks to productivity. Businesses and employees both benefit from outright blocking of web content to ensure everyone remains on-task and productive.
Bandwidth Management
Internet usage for activities not related to work can significantly compromise network bandwidth, reducing network connectivity and efficiency while increasing lag time. Bandwidth congestion is often caused by high-data-usage sites such as streaming services. Ensuring that all internet use is relevant to work tasks means the entire network – and organization – is more productive and efficient.
Challenges and Considerations for Businesses Considering Web Content Filtering
Before choosing a web content filtering solution, it’s important to consider the big-picture landscape of your organization. Striking the proper balance of security, productivity, and employee trust will help inform your choice. Here are a few factors to weigh:
- Employee Privacy: For both legal reasons and matters of employee trust, it’s important to balance monitoring web usage and respecting employee privacy. This is particularly impactful in organizations where BYOD devices are common.
- Avoid Over-Filtering: Consider any potential issues with blocking legitimate work-related content to make sure the software doesn’t end up being counterproductive in terms of what employees are able to access. For instance, blocking access to streaming content can be detrimental in the event employees need to access training videos or product demos on YouTube or a similar platform.
- Cost Considerations: Assess the ROI you can expect from budgeting for a web content filtering solution. Consider both the up-front costs and how you plan to measure it against improved productivity and protection from costly security breaches. These factors can help you explore pricing models for web content filtering tools. Depending on your needs, Miradore Premium and Premium+ mobile device management (MDM) plans include web content filtering for iOS.
Best Practices for Implementing Web Content Filtering in Your Business
When choosing to deploy a web content filtering software solution, make sure to take note of these best practices to ensure a smooth launch and have a proactive plan for maintenance.
- Define Clear Usage Policies: Craft clear acceptable use policies for employees. Make sure your employees understand these policies, as well as why you are putting them into place.
- Customize Filters for Your Industry: Tailor filters to match the specific needs of your industry. For instance, highly regulated industries may opt for more stringent controls to defend against cyberattacks that could compromise confidential information. Similarly, public organizations may consider options that block access to content not suitable for minors who are using those facilities. The more specific filters are for your business, the more effective and productive the whole system will be for you and your employee base.
- Regularly Review and Update Filters: Adjust filters to accommodate changing needs and emerging threats. IT teams should be aware of new trends and threats to data security and investigate web content filtering software solutions that can help mitigate evolving threats.
- Educate Employees: Provide both initial and ongoing training around content filtering measures, proper use, and how it benefits your organization. Make sure to provide updated training, FAQ’s, and context on your solution(s) of choice.
Implement Web Filtering for a Safer Business
Exploring the various options available to you in the realm of web filtering solutions can help you safeguard confidential information and your overall operations from simple threats to productivity to more complex cyber attacks that could compromise your organization. When considering a solution, take into account unique factors such as your industry, workforce distribution, and budget. In addition to an array of application management and data security features, Miradore’s Premium and Premium+ MDM plans include web filtering for iOS devices.