16 Apr DNS PROTECTION IS ESSENTIAL FOR ANY BUSINESS
DNS Protection – Web Filtering
You’ll be well familiar with the concept of endpoint security; services like antivirus software, email filtering, web filtering and firewalls that help prevent your network’s endpoints (Laptops, Desktops, phones and tablets) being compromised. Endpoint security is essential for any business that uses the internet.
A concept you may be less familiar with is DNS protection, essentially a further layer of protection that sits at your network’s edge.
What Exactly is the DNS?
The Domain Name System (DNS) is essentially a phone book for websites. Internet users input text into their browsers and DNS servers translate that input into IP addresses that let the users access the sites they have in mind. The DNS is a directory of the various devices that exist on networks.
So how does DNS protection work?
DNS protection works on the concept of The DNS being the gateway between a domain name and the individual devices that your business uses to access the internet (it links domains and IP addresses). Think of it as the perimeter wall in a fortification.
Be redirecting your web traffic through a cloud-based DNS security platform your business can enforce web access policies, ensure compliance and stop the vast majority of threats from getting into your network and to your endpoint devices.
DNS Web Filtering
Web filtering is a security protocol that can be implemented to ensure that malicious sites cannot be reached so that a connection between them and your network cannot be established. When someone in your business tries to access a website, ordinarily your DNS server would request the IP address of the site and allow a connection to be made between your network and that of the site you wish to access. With Web filtering in place, the request by your DNS server will be subject to certain criteria and access may not be permitted if a site is deemed untrustworthy. A webpage or IP address may be known to be untrustworthy via blacklists or may be deemed a potential hazard by the web filter. If access to a site is blocked the user will be redirected to a ‘block page’ explaining the reasons that access wasn’t allowed.
This service can be implemented by your ISP or a web filtering service provider.
The DNS filter can also be used to block certain types of website that are inappropriate for use in a work context, such as adult or gambling sites. Malware sites are being created all the time so while a DNS filter may be able to block most, it cannot block all malicious sites due to the delay involved in adding harmful sites to blacklists. A DNS filter is, however, another useful tool to protect your network from Cyberattacks, and you should seriously consider adding it to your business’ cybersecurity arsenal.
We’re Beeso IT, how can we help?
Need help with security? Our expert team of engineers, consultants, solution architects and project managers work right alongside our client’s internal IT teams – bringing their years of technical experience & competencies to your business on a need by need basis.
Wherever you require support, for whatever technology requirement. The Beeso IT team are on-hand locally as your global technology partner. If you are unsure of how secure your endpoints are, please contact the team today.