Web Security

The Top 11 Web Content Filtering Solutions For Business

Web content filtering allows you to keep accounts safe from dangerous and explicit online content. We explore the top solutions and their key features, allowing you to find the best solution for your unique use-case.

Last updated on Jul 23, 2024

Written by Alex Zawalnyski

Technical review by Laura Iannini

The Top 11 Web Content Filtering Solutions Include:

1. Barracuda Web Security Gateway
2. Broadcom Symantec WebFilter
3. Cisco Umbrella
4. Cloudflare Gateway
5. DNSFilter
6. Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway
7. Fortinet FortiGuard URL Filtering
8. Netskope Web Content Filtering
9. Proofpoint Web Security
10. WebTitan Web Filter
11. Zscaler Internet Access

Web content filtering solutions prevent your network from harmful activity by preventing access to suspicious sites and web pages. This type of solution is capable of blocking specific content within a web page, ensuring that user access is affected as little as possible.

If clicked or downloaded harmful web content may spread harmful malware onto a user’s, leading to breaches, data loss, or ransom demands. Implementing an effective web content filtering solution can help to identify risky content and protect your users. Web content filtering prevents your network from harm by dynamically and strategically filtering out suspicious sites and web pages. The solutions can also block individual content, thereby users safe during their session.

Content filters will scan all content that you try to access, looking for any common indicators that a site is dangerous. They can also cross check with databases to understand if other users have reported any problems with particular content. If content is deemed to be suspicious, the platform can provide a warning notification explaining the dangers and asking the user if they wish to continue. Some web content filtering tools also offer sandboxing capabilities to download a risky file and understand its behaviour.

In addition to keeping your users secure as they access the web, web content filtering is critical in maintaining your brand image and credibility. Web content filtering is important in ensuring that Not Safe For Work (NSFW) websites, such as gambling, pornography, firearm sites, aren’t accessible from your company devices and network.

Barracuda Web Security Gateway

Barracuda Web Security Gateway offers a versatile web security platform with content filtering capabilities. The platform enables safe internet browsing, protects against web-borne malware and viruses, and helps manage bandwidth usage, while maintaining optimal productivity levels.

The Barracuda Web Security Gateway includes a range of features including granular policies and the ability to control access to websites, applications, and web 2.0 platforms based on user, group, bandwidth, and time of access. It also offers robust protection against spyware, malware, and viruses, combined with additional features such as social network regulation, remote filtering for off-site users, and visibility into SSL-encrypted traffic. The built-in SSL-filtering capabilities allow admins to enforce necessary policies on social media and search platforms.

Utilizing intelligence and blocklists from thousands of Barracuda data points worldwide, the platform provides rapid protection against various web-borne threats. This continuous threat intelligence feed helps block known and unknown spyware downloads, viruses, and malicious site access requests. The platform offers a centralized dashboard with integrated reporting for enhanced network visibility, enabling admins to identify threats and develop targeted policies. Barracuda Web Security Gateway can be used alongside the Barracuda Reporting Server for unified reporting and customizable report generation. This web security platform is suitable for SMBs and is also available as a virtual appliance.

Broadcom Symantec WebFilter

Broadcom>Symantec WebFilter is a cybersecurity solution specializing in blocking malware downloads and web threats. It is a vital component of the Symantec Cloud Secure Web Gateway (SWG) and combines URL filtering with anti-malware technology as a collaborative defense. The WebFilter is continuously updated by the Symantec Global Intelligence Network, providing reputation and web content analysis from over 15,000 enterprise customers.

The WebFilter efficiently blocks malware, phishing attempts, malicious software updates, botnets, and other attacks. Its powerful Dynamic Link Analysis (DLA) allows users to access popular websites without over-blocking, thus maintaining productivity. The cloud-based nature of the WebFilter eliminates the need for constant updates and patching, as these are automatically managed. The product is ideal for large organizations with the technical resources to manage it properly.

In offering advanced web filtering capabilities, Symantec WebFilter utilizes the Global Intelligence Network’s cloud awareness, thereby offering immediate protection and up-to-date ratings. The network’s DLA architecture includes several components, such as a cloud-connected user community, real-time cloud analysis, and comprehensive database. Users can extend the WebFilter’s functionality with Symantec Reporter for enhanced visibility and governance verification of web filtering policies.

Cisco Umbrella

Cisco Umbrella is a cloud-native web security and SASE solution developed by Cisco, a market leader known for its extensive range of products and technical capabilities. Cisco Umbrella provides a wide array of web and network security features, including robust web content filtering to ensure consistency in internal policies and appropriate web usage. Admins can easily manage web access through category-based web content filtering, custom “Allow” and “Block” lists, and SafeSearch browsing enforcement.

With over 80 content categories covering millions of domains and billions of web pages, Cisco Umbrella offers granular control, allowing admins to set varying risk levels and create custom content lists. Block bypass features enable specific authorized users to access filtered categories or domains for work-related purposes. Location-sensitive enforcement allows users to be assigned varying internet restrictions and login settings depending on their location and network connection.

Cisco Umbrella’s Secure Web Gateway (SWG) functionality provides a cloud-native, full proxy that efficiently logs, inspects, and controls web traffic for increased control, transparency, and protection. As part of a Security Service Edge (SSE) architecture that includes Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS), cloud access security broker (CASB), and DNS-layer security, Cisco Umbrella’s SWG is designed to deliver secure connectivity for modern hybrid workplaces and remote workers. The integrated secure web gateway offers full visibility, anti-virus and advanced malware protection, sandboxing, decryption, content control, and granular app activity controls in one user-friendly interface.

Cloudflare Gateway

Cloudflare Gateway is a cloud-native, low-latency Secure Web Gateway (SWG) service within Cloudflare One. Leveraging Cloudflare’s extensive network, which has visibility into approximately 20% of the web, it enhances security by protecting employee internet browsing and blocking potential threats.

Cloudflare Gateway offers recursive DNS filtering, allowing the management of domains and IP addresses, as well as HTTP(S) filtering and inspection for granular traffic control. The service supports unlimited TLS 1.3 inspection, Layer 4 Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS), antivirus inspection, identity and device posture checks, and integrated threat intelligence. Additionally, it provides extensive logging, shadow IT discovery, page customization, and automation capabilities through APIs and Terraform provider.

Cloudflare Gateway offers extensive protection and management features for internet security. It is well suited for organizations of all sizes that require high levels of security and control over their web traffic, including those needing to comply with strict security standards and regulatory requirements. The service’s comprehensive features and low-latency performance make it an ideal solution for enhancing an organization’s security posture.

DNSFilter

DNSFilter is a content filtering and threat protection software designed for MSPs, mid-sized businesses, and enterprises. It improves internet browsing safety by blocking malicious content at the DNS level in real-time and providing valuable visibility for IT teams. The software enables users to block 36 content categories, seven threat categories, ads, and trackers quickly and easily. It can be deployed either agentless or on individual devices for more detailed tracking, reporting, and policy creation.

DNSFilter operates using the DNS protocol, which manages domain-name requests. These requests are sent to DNSFilter servers, where they are compared against threat feeds and user policy settings. If a request is destined for a blocked or malicious domain, the user is redirected, ensuring unwanted activity is stopped at the root. As well as using threat feeds, the platform also utilizes ML-powered DNS filtering technology, Webshrinker, which analyzes DNS queries to determine how likely they are to be malicious. This enables DNSFilter to categorize and block even never-before-seen threats.

Further features of the DNSFilter platform include one-click blocking of high-risk applications, Active Directory sync, SSO from third-party identity providers, Zapier integration, and the ability to export DNSFilter data into other tools such as data stores and analytics services. The platform also offers its own in-built reporting and analytics tools, with advanced reports that provide both high-level and detailed information, and can be scheduled for consistency.

DNSFilter is used by various organizations that require protection and filtering from internet threats, ranging from small businesses to large corporations. It also offers specialized plans for MDPs and educational institutions. It aims to help businesses prevent new threats, neutralize existing issues, and block access to time-wasting and bandwidth-intensive sites. DNSFilter comes with an easy-to-use dashboard, backed by a global network of fast DNS servers.

Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway

Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway (SWG) is a cloud-based solution that enables businesses to monitor and control all interactions with any website while maintaining high-speed performance. With integration options such as Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) and Zero Trust Content Disarm & Reconstruction (CDR), Forcepoint SWG goes beyond simply categorizing web access as safe or bad, providing a more secure browsing experience.

One unique feature of Forcepoint SWG is its distributed architecture which allows for a hyper-scalable cloud infrastructure and eliminates chokepoints by enforcing security policies locally on the user’s device. The platform blocks users from downloading web-borne malware, uploading sensitive data, or accessing malicious websites based on the site’s category or risk score. Additionally, the solution allows organizations to block or allow access to nonproductive or inappropriate websites based on user group, location, URL category, and other factors. This ensures compliance with the organization’s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP).

Forcepoint SWG also offers RBI and CDR capabilities, which enable admins to safely interact with potentially unsafe content without harming the rest of the network. It respects user privacy by preventing decryption and inspection of traffic to specific website categories containing personally identifiable information (PII). It also offers a web browsing dashboard, which gives admins insight into web traffic patterns at the URL level and highlights risky activity. Its enterprise applications dashboard provides insights into which apps are at risk, what types of data is downloaded to and from apps, which domains receive sensitive data, and any indicators of shadow IT.

Forcepoint ONE is available via two different deployment architectures. The cloud-based forward proxy can protect all users at a given site, including guests – this deployment option is best suited to branch offices or locations with public/guest WiFi. The second option is an agent-based SWG, which can be installed on managed Windows or MacOS devices to protect select users regardless of location. This is best suited to remote or hybrid workers.

Fortinet FortiGuard URL Filtering

Fortinet’s FortiGuard is an AI-powered cybersecurity platform designed to protect application content, web traffic, devices, and users in various locations. Within this platform, FortiGuard’s cloud-based URL filtering service delivers extensive threat protection against a variety of web threats, such as ransomware, credential theft, and phishing attacks.

By leveraging AI-driven behavioral analysis and threat correlation, FortiGuard URL Filtering instantly blocks access to malicious URLs and provides granular blocking and filtering for web and video categories. The solution also offers DNS filtering and protection against sophisticated DNS-based threats, antispam capabilities, and an intrusion prevention system.

Additional features of FortiGuard URL Filtering include the ability to alert users if a link or website is deemed potentially malicious, protection against credential phishing, and the ability to block web pages containing specific words, phrases, patterns, wildcards, or regular expressions. Finally, admins can also block the usage of Google accounts by blocking access to certain accounts and services, with the option to set up an exception list.

FortiGuard URL filtering provides comprehensive protection against web-based threats, whilst improving the organization’s bandwidth by blocking access to sites unnecessary for the network’s operations. The solution can be purchased standalone or as a bundle with other tools within the FortiGuard platform, which include content, device, application, and NOC/SOC security.

Netskope Web Content Filtering

Netskope offers Web Content Filtering as part of the Netskope One platform. This cloud-based service helps enforce acceptable use policies (AUPs) across headquarters, remote offices, and mobile workers on company-managed devices. It covers over 120 categories and languages in more than 200 countries to ensure extensive web content control and compliance.

Netskope Web Content Filtering offers a “custom categories” feature, which allows admins to create tailored URL lists with API-enabled updates, while dynamic classifications use machine learning to rate new and unknown web content in 70+ categories across 16 languages. The platform also offers security risk categories, which provide immediate insights into risks like botnets, phishing, and malware. The service also includes silent ad blocking to enhance user experience by removing ads and trackers.

Netskope’s Web Content Filtering is a comprehensive solution for organizations needing to manage and secure web access across diverse environments. Its advanced features and wide-ranging coverage make it suitable for businesses of all sizes, especially those with a mobile workforce or multiple locations.

Proofpoint Web Security

Proofpoint is a leading cybersecurity company offering a diverse range of solutions, including the cloud-based Proofpoint Web Security platform. This platform provides advanced threat monitoring and protection, data loss prevention, and dynamic access controls for all users both inside and outside the network. Thanks to its cloud-based architecture, it’s easier to deploy and scale than legacy solutions, and it can be easily integrated with Meta ZTNA, Windows, Mac OS, SIEM, and SSO authentication tools, allowing for seamless compatibility with a variety of security stacks.

Proofpoint Web Security inspects all SSL traffic at the domain, URL, and IP levels to identify threats in real time. It also detects SaaS applications. If a user tries to access problematic or malicious web content the platform can either notify admins, automatically block that user’s access to the site, enforce read-only mode, or isolate that user’s web session. This ability to sandbox unknown or malicious sites enables the platform to provide protection without impacting the user’s browsing experience. Proofpoint Web Security also secures sensitive data through built-in DLP for all web apps and by restricting uploads and downloads by category, URL, or risk level.

Proofpoint Web Security is easy to manage from one cloud-native console. Its global distribution ensures low latency, regardless of location, and it’s easy to manage remotely or integrate with existing tools thanks to its APIs. Overall, this is a strong solution for organizations of all sizes, and particularly those with a hybrid workforce.

WebTitan Web Filter

WebTitan is a web security platform developed by TitanHQ that offers a DNS security solution with advanced filtering controls. Designed to provide extensive protection from cybersecurity threats, WebTitan uses AI and machine learning for real-time detection and blocking of malicious or risky content. The platform is API-driven, allowing for remote management and monitoring, and has access to a global threat intelligence database for real-time updates on emerging threats.

The solution offers comprehensive reporting, including interactive reports and data visualization for user behavior, block lists, trends, and overall security health. It effectively prevents phishing through AI-powered protection against known and emerging phishing URLs, helping to safeguard against business email compromise (BEC) and email account compromise. WebTitan employs DNSSEC to strengthen authentication through digital signatures and public key cryptography.

Administrators can easily compile and export DNS history lists in various file formats, thanks to the platform’s data offload capabilities. WebTitan is known for its ease of use, intuitive interface, consolidated dashboard, and responsive support, making it suitable for enterprises and managed service providers (MSPs). It’s a powerful solution capable of handling any volume of usage without latency, ensuring a secure browsing environment for users.

Zscaler Internet Access

Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) is a cloud-native zero trust platform that offers safe and fast internet access for businesses along with Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) accessibility. It aims to prevent cyberattacks and data loss and is part of the comprehensive Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange. This platform verifies user and device identities to secure connections to SaaS and the internet.

ZIA’s cyber protection capabilities use a centralized policy and reporting engine to prevent compromise from ransomware, malware, and other advanced attacks with AI-powered threat protection. It also detects and prevents phishing and employs Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) technology to guard against botnets, advanced threats, and zero days. In addition, ZIA’s AI-powered browser isolation prevents web-based attacks and data loss while ensuring user productivity.

ZIA offers comprehensive data protection across numerous channels, such as Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASB), web and email Data Loss Prevention (DLP), and endpoint protection to secure cloud apps and prevent data loss. With an integrated set of access control services, it provides fast connectivity to distributed resources and supports functionality such as URL filtering, firewall, bandwidth Quality of Service (QoS), DNS security, tenancy restrictions, and adaptive access. Overall, Zscaler Internet Access delivers security and seamless access for companies while minimizing the risk of cyberattacks and data loss.

The Top 11 Web Content Filtering Solutions For Business

Web Content Filtering: Everything You Need To Know (FAQ)

How Do Web Content Filtering Solutions Work?

Web Content Filtering solutions are designed to protect your accounts and users by identifying and blocking any harmful content from being granted access. They can block content based on a number of characteristics and identifiers, this includes content that is unsafe, inappropriate, or irrelevant to work or school-related tasks. Companies can deploy a web content filter to make sure that employees don’t visit any malicious websites, access adult or other inappropriate content, or spend time on sites that can hinder productivity such as forums and social media sites.

In practice, web content filters are delivered as hardware or software and are commonly integrated as a feature of a firewall solution. They work by scanning websites for

content that could violate any pre-configured policies. This may violate policies on the content level itself, i.e., explicit or irrelevant content. These platforms will, however, also look within images, texts, strings, downloads, and other areas where harmful code may be hidden. This ensures that a wider range of malicious or irrelevant content can be identified, thereby keeping your accounts safer. Most platforms also allow admins to set specific rules and identify specific key words, allowing them to tailor their content filtration for their organization.

When a user tries to visit a website or page that is deemed to be suspicious or dangerous, a web content filtering tool can completely block user access, or partially block access to specific parts of that site. Some tools will carry out screening, thereby giving user the ability to choose whether they want to view or interact with the content after being given a warning.

What Features Should You Look For When Selecting A Web Content Filtering Solution?

It can be difficult to understand which features are the most important when it comes to selecting an effective web content filtering solution for your organization. In this section we’ll identify some of the key features to look for, ensuring that you have the right soluiton for your needs.

Database Access – Your platform should have access to large databases of known risky sites, as well as Indicators of Compromise, allowing you to quickly identify risky sites. This database should be regularly updated with new instances and trends, ensuring that you always have the most relevant information.
Real-Time Content Analysis – In addition to databases of known risky sites, your platform should assess sites in real time. This means that a site cannot become ‘weaponized’ after it has been categorized as safe. This ensures that your users are kept safe, while minimizing the impact on productivity.
Customization – You should be able to create custom rules and policies to apply to your organization. This degree of customization helps to ensure that your users are not blocked from accessing legitimate sites that they need to complete their work.
Malware Protection – An effective platform should deliver robust antivirus and zero-day threat detection capabilities. Without this, your platform will not be able to keep your accounts and users as safe as they need to be.
Scalability – To ensure that your users are protected as your organization grows, it is important that your platform can cover all of the devices within your network, as well as all of the sites that this increased userbase uses.

What Are The Benefits Of Web Content Filtering Solutions?

Web Content Filtering solutions are important aspects of your digital security infrastructure as it delivers effective and comprehensive account protection against a range of threats. Rather than just providing static cover, web content filtering solution can react dynamically, ensuring that you are protected against new and emerging threats.

The coverage offered by web content filtering solutions is very flexible. Admins are able to customize policies, identifying keywords and areas that should be blocked or limited. This ensures that your coverage is specific to your organization and delivers the protection that you need.

Alex Zawalnyski

Journalist & Content Editor

Alex is an experienced journalist and content editor. He researches, writes, factchecks and edits articles relating to B2B cyber security and technology solutions, working alongside software experts. Alex was awarded a First Class MA (Hons) in English and Scottish Literature by the University of Edinburgh.

Laura Iannini

Cybersecurity Analyst

Laura Iannini is an Information Security Engineer. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity from the University of West Florida. Laura has experience with a variety of cybersecurity platforms and leads technical reviews of leading solutions. She conducts thorough product tests to ensure that Expert Insights’ reviews are definitive and insightful.