Best DNS Web Filtering Platforms For Business
Discover the top DNS web filtering platforms for business. Compare key features including web content filtering, policy controls, flexible deployment, security controls, and reporting.
Written by
Joel Witts
Technical Review by
Craig MacAlpine
Quick Summary
For organizations wanting phishing protection without DNS error pages, ThreatLocker Web Control delivers application-layer filtering that gives users a cleaner blocking experience, though it requires existing ThreatLocker platform as a foundation.
If you need SSL/TLS inspection for encrypted threat detection without appliance costs, Avast Secure Internet Gateway provides full SSL/TLS inspection and cloud-native architecture that eliminates rack space and hardware investment, though Based on customer feedback, DNS-layer filtering lacks deep packet inspection.
For hybrid and remote workforces, Barracuda Content Shield extends DNS filtering without VPN dependencies through its agent and provides 90+ content categories backed by Barracuda’s global threat intelligence, though customers report recurring technical issues.
DNS filtering works at the earliest possible interception point, before threats reach devices, before users click malicious links, before ransomware phones home. The advantage is simple: stop connections before they happen instead of detecting compromise after the fact. The problem: DNS filtering platforms vary wildly on what they actually stop and how much control you get over policy enforcement.
You need visibility into what’s being blocked without alert fatigue. You need policies that adapt per user, per group, or per device instead of blanket rules. You need to protect remote workers without forcing them through VPN or buying separate agents. Get it wrong, and you’re blocking legitimate business traffic or watching malware slide through because your policies are too permissive.
We evaluated 11 DNS web filtering platforms across threat detection accuracy, policy granularity, remote worker support, and integration depth. We evaluated both cloud-native architectures and on-premises options. What we found: DNS filtering platforms divide between simple category-based blocking and sophisticated threat intelligence integration. Your choice depends on whether you need basic content filtering or advanced threat hunting integration.
Our Recommendations
Your ideal platform depends on whether you prioritize application-layer filtering without error pages, SSL/TLS inspection capabilities, or remote worker coverage without VPN.
- Best For Application-Layer Filtering: ThreatLocker Web Control eliminates DNS error pages, giving users a cleaner blocking experience.
- Best For SSL/TLS Inspection Without Appliances: Avast Secure Internet Gateway detects threats hiding in encrypted traffic through full SSL/TLS inspection.
- Best For Remote Worker Coverage: Barracuda Content Shield extends DNS filtering to remote users through its agent without VPN dependencies. 90+ content categories backed by Barracuda’s global threat intelligence provide comprehensive coverage.
- Best For Enterprise Scale With Cisco Talos: Cisco Umbrella stops malware and phishing through preemptive DNS blocking before any connection or data exchange occurs.
- Best For Fast Deployment: NordLayer DNS Filtering deploys in under 30 seconds, getting filtering active without extended implementation timelines.
ThreatLocker Web Control is a web filtering add-on to the ThreatLocker Zero Trust platform. It’s built for organizations that need phishing protection and content filtering without the DNS-based error pages that frustrate users. Zero Trust platform. It’s built for organizations that need phishing protection and content filtering without the DNS-based error pages that frustrate users.
Filtering That Skips the DNS Headaches
The differentiator here is how it filters web traffic. We found that ThreatLocker uses application-layer filtering instead of DNS interception. Users don’t hit generic DNS error pages when blocked. They see a customized company page instead. The filtering library updates dynamically across multiple categories. You can block phishing sites, malicious domains, and unwanted content using millions of data points. The browser extension lets users request access to blocked sites, routing to administrators for approval. We think that’s practical when legitimate sites get flagged.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers praise ThreatLocker’s support team across the platform. Multiple reviewers mention same-day response times and hands-on help with configuration. The unified audit logs get positive feedback for tracking blocked requests and simplifying compliance reporting. Some customers flag a learning curve with ThreatLocker’s broader platform. Configuration can require support engagement, especially when setting up nuanced policies. A few users mention that frequent feature updates, while valuable, require ongoing training to stay current.
Who Should Consider It
We think this fits best if you’re already using ThreatLocker’s endpoint platform and want integrated web filtering. The agentless option works well for mixed environments with unmanaged devices on your network.
Strengths
- Application-layer filtering eliminates DNS error pages, giving users a cleaner blocking experience.
- Agentless deployment option extends web filtering protection to unmanaged devices on your network.
- Browser extension allows users to request access to blocked sites for admin approval.
- Unified audit logs simplify compliance reporting across GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS requirements.
Cautions
- Some users report that the platform requires the existing ThreatLocker stack, making it less practical as a standalone web filtering solution.
Avast Secure Internet Gateway
Avast Secure Internet Gateway is a cloud-based DNS filtering platform with modern firewall capabilities. It’s built for small security teams at SMBs and MSPs who need web threat protection without managing appliances.
SSL Inspection That Actually Works
The standout capability here is full SSL/TLS inspection across encrypted traffic. We think this matters because most web threats now hide in encrypted sessions. Traditional DNS filters miss these. Avast inspects them. The platform filters across 60+ URL categories with dynamic content classification. Cloud sandboxing catches malware and phishing before they reach endpoints. Daily virus database updates pull in 125,000+ new signatures, keeping detection current. The infrastructure runs on 127 data centers with 99.999% uptime. We found the Active Directory integration useful for visibility into user access patterns. The cloud delivery means no appliances to rack, patch, or replace.
What Customers Are Saying
We think this fits if you’re running a lean IT operation or managing multiple client networks as an MSP. The cloud-native architecture eliminates hardware costs and maintenance overhead. SSL inspection catches threats that basic DNS filters miss.
Strengths
- Full SSL/TLS inspection detects threats hiding in encrypted traffic that basic DNS filters miss.
- Cloud-native architecture eliminates appliance costs, rack space, and hardware maintenance overhead.
- 127 data centers with 99.999% uptime minimize service disruptions across global operations.
- Active Directory integration provides visibility into user access patterns for security investigations.
Cautions
- According to customer feedback, DNS-layer filtering lacks deep packet inspection capabilities found in fuller SASE platforms.
Barracuda Content Shield
Barracuda Content Shield is a cloud-based DNS filtering platform built for organizations protecting remote and hybrid workforces. It combines content filtering with real-time threat defense across 90+ categories.
DNS Filtering With Remote Worker Coverage
The platform filters web traffic through DNS-layer blocking backed by Barracuda’s global threat intelligence network. We found the 90+ content categories cover standard filtering needs from malware to inappropriate content. The Content Shield agent extends protection to remote users outside your network perimeter. Policy management ties to LDAP and Azure AD for user and group-based controls. You can set granular rules per person or team. Real-time protection scans files at download and on endpoints, with customizable alerts when threats are detected.
The centralized dashboard provides visibility into blocked requests and threat activity. We think the per-person reporting helps track remote worker activity without VPN dependencies. Compliance reporting supports GDPR and HIPAA requirements.
Mixed Customer Experience
Customers highlight easy initial setup and effective basic filtering. The dashboard gets positive feedback for usability. Barracuda’s support receives inconsistent reviews across their product line. Some customers praise fast response times and technical expertise.
Others flag recurring issues that take extended time to resolve. A few mention support quality drops after initial deployment. One Content Shield customer noted “basic features are good but have experienced a few recurring issues that takes time to get resolved.”
Where It Works Best
We think this fits if you need straightforward DNS filtering for a distributed workforce without complex VPN requirements. The Azure AD integration and remote agent deployment suit hybrid environments.
Strengths
- Content Shield agent extends DNS filtering to remote users without VPN dependencies.
- 90+ content categories backed by Barracuda's global threat intelligence network block emerging threats.
- LDAP and Azure AD integration enables granular user and group-based policy management.
- Per-person reporting provides visibility into remote worker web activity for compliance tracking.
Cautions
- Some customer reviews note that recurring technical issues require extended time to resolve with support.
Cisco Umbrella
Cisco Umbrella is a cloud-based Secure Web Gateway using DNS filtering to block threats before they reach your network. It’s built for enterprises that need scalable web security backed by Cisco Talos threat intelligence.
DNS Security That Stops Threats Early
Umbrella filters at the DNS layer across 80+ content categories, blocking malware, ransomware, and phishing before connections establish. We found the preemptive blocking model effective because threats get stopped before any data exchange happens. Cisco Talos processes billions of web requests daily, feeding real-time intelligence into the filtering engine. Policy controls let you set granular rules with allow/block lists and SafeSearch enforcement. API integration extends threat data to other security tools in your stack. The platform runs across 30+ global data centers with 99.999% uptime. We think the reporting simplifies monitoring with pre-made and scheduled reports that don’t require heavy customization.
What Customers Experience
Customers consistently praise the strong DNS security and easy configuration. The dashboards and reporting get positive feedback for clarity. Multiple reviewers mention effective threat blocking and straightforward policy management. Several customers highlight solid audit logs and good troubleshooting capabilities. Some customers flag expensive package upgrades for advanced DNS features not included in base tiers. A few report reliability issues during deployment, including policies not applying consistently and settings losing configuration. SSL inspection can cause compatibility problems with certain applications.
Enterprise Fit With Budget Considerations
We think this fits best for enterprises wanting proven DNS security with Cisco Talos intelligence backing detection. The easy deployment and clear reporting suit teams that need quick visibility without complex configuration.
Strengths
- Preemptive DNS blocking stops malware and phishing before any connection or data exchange occurs.
- Cisco Talos threat intelligence processes billions of requests daily for real-time threat detection.
- 99.999% uptime across 30+ global data centers minimizes service disruption for distributed enterprises.
- API integration extends threat intelligence to other security tools for coordinated defense.
- Pre-made reporting simplifies monitoring without requiring heavy dashboard customization work.
Cautions
- Based on customer reviews, advanced DNS features require expensive package upgrades beyond base tier pricing.
Cloudflare Gateway
Cloudflare Gateway is a cloud-native Secure Web Gateway using DNS and HTTP filtering to protect users from web threats. It’s built for organizations that need fast, global web security without centralized traffic bottlenecks.
Filtering Powered by Global Internet Visibility
Gateway filters across 270+ content categories using threat intelligence from Cloudflare’s visibility into 20% of global internet traffic. We found this scale matters because threat detection improves when you’re seeing actual attack patterns across the internet. Real-time blocking stops ransomware, phishing, and malicious destinations before users connect.
Traffic routes through 330+ global data centers instead of backhauling to central scrubbing centers. This keeps latency low for distributed workforces. Policy controls work for both remote and office users without separate configurations. The platform adds inline DLP and remote browser isolation for high-risk sites. Admins get visibility into user activity, compromised devices, and unsanctioned SaaS applications. We think the SaaS app detection helps spot shadow IT without separate CASB tools.
Best for Global Performance Requirements
We think this fits if you have distributed users across multiple regions and latency matters to your operations. The 330+ data center footprint keeps filtering fast wherever your users work. Visibility into 20% of global traffic provides threat intelligence most vendors can’t match.
Strengths
- 330+ global data centers route traffic locally instead of backhauling, minimizing latency for distributed users.
- Threat intelligence from 20% of global internet traffic provides detection coverage most vendors can\'t match.
- 270+ content categories with unified policies for remote and office users simplify management.
- Inline DLP and remote browser isolation add protection layers for high-risk sites and data.
- Unsanctioned SaaS app detection spots shadow IT without requiring separate CASB tools.
Cautions
- According to customer feedback, integration with existing Cisco or Palo Alto security infrastructure may require additional evaluation.
DNSFilter
DNSFilter is a cloud-based DNS web filtering platform built for mid-sized businesses, enterprises, and MSPs. It blocks threats at the DNS layer while providing straightforward policy management across distributed environments.
Simple Deployment, Effective Blocking
The platform filters across 36 content categories and eight threat categories using intelligence from community feeds, government data, and exchange partnerships. We found the deployment options flexible. You can run agentless for network-level enforcement or deploy device-level agents for detailed user tracking. DNSFilter blocks nearly one-third of security incidents at the DNS level before threats reach endpoints. The new domain blocking category catches phishing attempts using fresh domains without established reputations. Policy creation happens in a few clicks through an intuitive dashboard. We think the multi-tenant management works well for MSPs handling multiple customer environments.
What Customers Say
Customers consistently praise the clean interface and simple deployment. Multiple MSPs mention completing setup in under an hour. The responsive support team gets positive feedback, and customers highlight that DNSFilter actively incorporates feature requests into development. Some customers flag initial tuning requirements to whitelist business-specific domains. Roaming agent failures occasionally break name resolution, creating support headaches when users lack admin rights. A few mention that log forwarding to SIEM platforms requires additional fees and can be challenging to configure.
Best Fit for MSPs and Mid-Market
We think this fits if you’re an MSP managing multiple customer environments or a mid-market team wanting straightforward DNS filtering without complexity. The policy management scales well across tenants, and the new domain blocking adds real phishing protection.
Strengths
- Blocks nearly one-third of security incidents at DNS layer before threats reach endpoints.
- New domain blocking catches phishing attempts using fresh domains without established reputations.
- Deployment completes in under an hour with intuitive policy creation requiring just a few clicks.
- Multi-tenant management scales well for MSPs handling multiple customer environments efficiently.
- Support team actively incorporates customer feature requests into product development roadmap.
Cautions
- Some users have reported that initial tuning requires whitelisting business-specific domains, especially in specialized environments.
NordLayer DNS Filtering
NordLayer DNS Filtering is a cloud-based content filtering platform that blocks threats and manages web access for remote workforces. It deploys in under 30 seconds with minimal configuration overhead.
Fast Deployment
The platform filters across 50+ content categories including adult content, weapons, terrorism, and social media. We found the category selection covers standard productivity and security filtering needs. ThreatBlock uses public and internal threat data to filter malicious domains, protecting against phishing, malware, and ransomware. AES 256-bit encryption and Deep Packet Inspection add security layers. beyond basic DNS blocking. The DPI capability detects unwanted communications that might slip through category filters. We think the sub-30-second deployment matters for teams that need filtering active quickly without extended implementation projects.
The platform supports remote workers with policies that follow users regardless of location. GDPR and HIPAA compliance support meets basic regulatory requirements for healthcare and EU operations.
What Customers Are Saying
We think this fits if you need straightforward DNS filtering operational fast, especially for protecting distributed teams. The simple deployment and category-based filtering suit organizations wanting basic web security without complex policy engineering.
Strengths
- Deployment completes in under 30 seconds, getting filtering active without extended implementation timelines.
- ThreatBlock combines public and internal threat data to block malicious domains and phishing.
- Deep Packet Inspection detects unwanted communications beyond standard DNS category filtering.
- Remote worker support ensures policies follow users regardless of location or network.
Cautions
- Some users mention that the 50 content categories lag behind platforms offering 80-plus categories for granular filtering control.
Palo Alto Networks DNS Security
Palo Alto Networks DNS Security is a cloud-based DNS protection platform integrated into Palo Alto’s modern Firewall ecosystem. It’s built for enterprises running Palo Alto firewalls who need advanced DNS threat detection without adding separate appliances.
AI-Driven Detection Built Into Your Firewall
The platform uses inline deep learning algorithms to identify and block DNS threats in real time. We found the AI-driven approach effective at catching new threats that signature-based filters miss. It blocks millions of malicious domains across 40+ categories, defending against malware, phishing, command and control traffic, DNS tunneling, and newly registered domains.
Automated responses let you configure different actions per threat type: block, alert, or divert traffic. The system can isolate infected users automatically. DNS analytics provide visibility into traffic patterns for investigation and compliance reporting. Because it’s cloud-based, detection updates happen without device performance impact or manual signature management.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers praise the full protection against external attacks and malware. Multiple reviewers highlight easy management compared to other firewalls and strong reporting capabilities. The AI and machine learning features get positive feedback for threat detection accuracy. Customers value quick identification of insider threats and compromised devices. Pricing consistently gets flagged as very high. Several customers mention frequent bugs in new releases requiring multiple hotfixes. Some experience legitimate traffic getting blocked for custom applications, requiring manual intervention to resolve.
Enterprise Palo Alto Shops Only
We think this makes sense only if you’re already running Palo Alto firewalls and want integrated DNS security without separate tools. The AI detection and automated response suit enterprises dealing with sophisticated threats.
Strengths
- Inline deep learning detects new DNS threats that signature-based filters miss automatically.
- Cloud-based updates eliminate manual signature management and avoid device performance degradation.
- Automated threat response can block, alert, or isolate infected users based on threat type.
- DNS analytics provide visibility into traffic patterns for investigations and compliance reporting.
- Integrated deployment into Palo Alto NGFW avoids adding separate appliances to your stack.
Cautions
- Some customer reviews flag that frequent bugs in new releases require multiple hotfixes, indicating quality control issues.
TitanHQ DNS Filtering
TitanHQ DNS Filtering (branded as WebTitan) is a cloud-based DNS filtering platform built for SMBs, MSPs, and schools. It filters across 53 content categories covering over 500 million URLs with AI-driven threat detection.
Active Directory Integration That Actually Works
The standout feature customers mention is Active Directory integration that works reliably for single sign-on authentication. We found the granular policy engine lets you set controls per user, per group, per IP, or per agent. The multi-tenant architecture suits MSPs managing multiple client networks from one console. AI-powered engines block zero-day phishing, malware, and ransomware without signature updates. The URL classification database serves 650 million users, providing broad coverage. API-driven management and interactive reporting provide visibility into threats and user activity. We think the set-and-forget approach matters for lean IT teams that can’t babysit filtering systems.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers consistently praise TitanHQ’s responsive support team and quick response times. The web interface gets positive feedback for clarity. Multiple reviewers highlight the AD integration as reliable compared to major firewall vendors. The OTG client protects remote workers effectively.
Some customers flag occasional false positives blocking legitimate sites. A few mention storage issues requiring manual appliance restarts if not maintained. The OTG client doesn’t support smartphones or Linux devices yet. Documentation could be clearer on specific system requirements during initial setup.
Best Fit for AD Environments
We think this fits well if you run Active Directory and need DNS filtering that integrates cleanly without fighting your identity infrastructure. The MSP multi-tenant support and CIPA compliance suit service providers and schools.
Strengths
- Active Directory integration works reliably for single sign-on authentication and granular user policies.
- AI-powered detection blocks zero-day phishing and malware without requiring signature updates.
- Multi-tenant architecture lets MSPs manage multiple client networks from one console efficiently.
- Customer support responds quickly with knowledgeable technical assistance according to multiple reviewers.
- Set-and-forget operation minimizes ongoing maintenance overhead for lean IT teams.
Cautions
- Based on customer feedback, the OTG client lacks support for smartphones and Linux devices, limiting remote worker coverage.
Webroot DNS Protection
Webroot DNS Protection is a cloud-based DNS filtering platform with full DNS over HTTPS visibility. It’s built for organizations managing encrypted DNS traffic alongside traditional filtering needs.
DoH Visibility That Most Platforms Miss
The differentiator here is complete visibility into DNS over HTTPS traffic. Most DNS filters lose sight when requests go encrypted. Webroot scans every request for malicious actors before threats reach your servers. We found the granular filtering across 80+ categories covers standard needs from malware to command and control servers. Policy controls let you set rules per device, IP address, or group. On-demand reporting with drill-down capabilities provides insights into applications in use, session metrics, and event logs. The platform integrates with Webroot Endpoint Protection for unified management. VPN support extends filtering to remote workers.
Mixed Stability Experience
Customers praise the easy-to-use console and feature-rich interface. The customer service team gets consistent positive feedback for responsiveness and helpfulness. Integration with other systems works well for MSPs managing multiple tools. However, customers report random instability causing endpoints to lose internet access. Management can be frustrating with uninstall commands failing. Some flag control panel bugs including billing issues when products are turned off. Configuration complexity during initial setup requires technical expertise. Conflicts occur with products that already control DNS routing.
Best for DoH-Heavy Environments
We think this fits if you need DoH visibility and run Webroot endpoint protection already. The unified management simplifies operations when you’re invested in their ecosystem.
Strengths
- Full DNS over HTTPS visibility scans encrypted requests that most DNS filters miss.
- Console interface is easy to use and feature-rich according to customer feedback.
- Customer service is responsive, friendly, and easy to reach when issues arise.
- Integration with Webroot Endpoint Protection provides unified security management across tools.
- On-demand reporting with drill-down capabilities shows applications, sessions, and event logs.
Cautions
- Some users have noted that random instability causes endpoints to lose internet access, requiring troubleshooting and intervention.
Zscaler DNS Security
Zscaler DNS Security is part of Zscaler’s cloud-native Security Service Edge platform. It’s built for enterprises running Zero Trust architectures who need DNS filtering integrated with broader security controls.
Zero Trust DNS Without VPN Dependency
The platform provides full DNS traffic visibility with context-rich logging for investigating every transaction. We found the Zero Trust Network Access integration means strict user authentication before any DNS resolution happens. Adaptive real-time policy enforcement blocks malicious connections, phishing, and DNS tunneling. Trusted Resolvers at edge servers process requests locally for rapid DNS resolution.
URL filtering and cloud app control policies let you set granular rules per application. The centralized console manages all policies from one interface. Filtering covers 80+ content categories. Automatic updates deliver new threat intelligence without patching or hardware maintenance.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers praise the zero-trust approach and VPN-free remote access. The cloud-native architecture gets positive feedback for consistent protection across locations. Centralized management simplifies policy enforcement. Constant updates keep threat intelligence current automatically.
However, customers report latency during peak times and across regions. Global implementations take one to two months to complete. Initial policy configuration is complex for new users. The policy engine can create overlapping rules requiring careful management. Troubleshooting is challenging with limited visibility into traffic flows. Some legacy applications need additional configuration work. Pricing runs expensive for smaller organizations.
Enterprise-Only Territory
We think this makes sense only if you’re implementing Zero Trust enterprise-wide and want DNS security integrated into that architecture. The scale and feature depth suit large global organizations with technical resources.
Strengths
- Zero Trust Network Access integration requires strict authentication before DNS resolution occurs.
- Edge-based Trusted Resolvers process requests locally for rapid, low-latency DNS resolution.
- Centralized console manages all policies from one interface without juggling multiple tools.
- Automatic threat intelligence updates eliminate patching and hardware maintenance overhead.
- Full DNS traffic visibility with context-rich logging enables investigation of all transactions.
Cautions
- According to some user reviews, latency issues during peak times and across global regions affect user experience.
What To Look For in DNS Web Filtering
When evaluating DNS web filtering platforms, we’ve identified six essential criteria:
- Threat Detection range and Accuracy: Does it detect malware, ransomware, phishing, and exploit kits? How many content categories does it cover? Does it use machine learning for zero-day threats or just signature-based blocking? Can you customize threat definitions?
- Policy Granularity and User-Based Controls: Can you set rules per user, group, department, or location instead of blanket policies? Does it support Active Directory or other identity integration? Can you create exceptions for specific users or roles?
- Remote Worker and Encrypted Traffic Support: Can it protect users outside your network without forcing VPN? Does it see DNS over HTTPS (DoH) or DNS over TLS (DoT) traffic? Can it work with mobile devices and endpoint agents? Does it support agentless deployment?
- Integration With Security Stack: Can it send alerts to your SIEM or SOC tools? Does it integrate with threat intelligence feeds? Can it coordinate with endpoint protection or incident response platforms? Does it support API-based integration?
- Performance and Latency: Does it route traffic through global data centers or centralized scrubbing? What’s the reported latency for queries? How many data centers does it operate? What uptime SLA does it guarantee?
- Reporting, Visibility, and Alert Tuning: Can you see what’s being blocked without drowning in noise? Does it support custom dashboards per stakeholder? Can you tune alerts per department or user? How much effort does it take to eliminate false positives?
Weight these criteria based on your environment. Enterprises prioritize threat intelligence depth and policy granularity. Distributed teams need low-latency global coverage. MSPs require multi-tenant architecture. Organizations with strict access controls should evaluate Zero Trust integration.
How We Compared The Best DNS Web Filtering Platforms For Business
Expert Insights is an independent editorial team that researches, tests, and reviews cybersecurity and IT solutions. No vendor can pay to influence our review of their products. Our Editor’s Scores are based solely on product quality. Before testing, we map the full vendor market for each category, identifying all active vendors from market leaders to emerging challengers.
We evaluated 11 DNS web filtering platforms across threat detection accuracy, policy flexibility, remote worker support, and integration capabilities. Each platform was tested on filtering effectiveness, alongside latency performance and reporting usability. We assessed both cloud-native and on-premises options, evaluating how well they handle high-volume environments and granular policy enforcement.
Beyond hands-on testing, we reviewed customer feedback and conducted interviews to understand real-world deployment challenges, support responsiveness, and total cost of ownership. We assessed false positive rates and alert fatigue characteristics, plus vendor roadmap alignment with emerging threats. Our editorial and commercial teams operate independently. No vendor can pay to influence our review of their products.
This guide is updated quarterly.
The Bottom Line
DNS web filtering platform selection depends on scale, geographic distribution, integration requirements, and policy sophistication. No single platform excels across all dimensions.
For proven enterprise DNS security with Cisco Talos intelligence, Cisco Umbrella delivers at 99.999 percent uptime.
For global performance with low latency across 330 data centers, Cloudflare Gateway offers unmatched threat intelligence range. Factor in integration work with existing Cisco or Palo Alto infrastructure.
For Active Directory environments, TitanHQ DNS Filtering integrates cleanly with strong MSP support. For DNS over HTTPS visibility, Webroot stands out. For Zero Trust implementations, Zscaler integrates authentication with DNS filtering.
Read the individual reviews above to understand threat coverage, policy flexibility, remote worker support, and implementation requirements for your specific environment.
FAQs
Everything You Need To Know About DNS Web Filtering (FAQs)
DNS filtering is the process of filtering web content at the DNS level. With a DNS filter in place, when an end user loads a website, the DNS query is sent to a DNS resolver, using the filtering service. If the web domain is on a blocklist, or contains malicious content, the DNS filtering service will tell the resolver to block the request, preventing a malicious webpage from loading and protecting the user from unsafe content.
DNS filtering can be used to protect employees from harmful and inappropriate web content by enabling admins to enforce policies around which categories of web content is acceptable and not. DNS security tools can also be used to enforce broader network security policies protecting against DNS-based malware attacks.
Phishing is an important use case for DNS filtering. Phishing emails often use links to malicious web pages, such as a fake landing page, in order to steal credentials. With a DNS filter in place, when an end user clicks a harmful link, the phishing website domain is blocked and the user protected against phishing threats.
DNS filtering uses the DNS lookup process to filter access to web content for users connected to the DNS Filtering system. DNS filtering services can either filter web content by domain name or by IP address. When filtering by domain name, the DNS process doesn’t take place at all for certain domains. When filtering by IP address, the DNS system resolves the IP address and domain name, but access to the resolved domain is blocked for the user requesting the lookup.
In practice for a user, both methods have the same result. When you look up a blocked domain name, instead of being taken to the webpage, you are taken to a page hosted by the DNS filter. This page should explain that the webpage you have requested has been blocked for being unsafe or inappropriate.
DNS filtering services build block lists of harmful domains or IP addresses, known as blocklists or denylists. These can be shared across providers or built as proprietary lists based on threat intelligence and threat research. The bigger the database of threat research, the more comprehensive the blocklist is likely to be. These blocklists are primarily used to classify malicious domains – sometimes in real time- but they are also used to classify safe web content into categories, such as “Social Media”. Using the DNS filtering service, admins can block access to certain types of safe content in order to enforce company safe usage policies, for example, blocking access to adult material, gambling sites, etc.
If you’re considering investing in a DNS filtering solution, there are a number of important features to look for:
- Real-time filtering: It’s important to look for a solution that filters malicious domains in real time, to ensure the best protection against phishing and malware.
- Web security capabilities: The best enterprise DNS filtering solutions provide other security features including secure web gateways, cloud access security brokers and remote browser isolation capabilities.
- Instant categorization of web content: We recommend solutions that instantly categorize web domains, which provides more comprehensive domain filtering.
- Flexible admin policies: Look for a solution that offers flexible admin controls around filtering, including team-based access controls.
- Comprehensive reporting: Reporting is an important benefit of DNS web filtering, so we recommend looking for a solution with advanced analytics in a centrally accessible, easy-to-navigate reporting dashboard.
- No latency issues: We highly recommend conducting a trial to ensure whichever solution you choose does not slow down web browsing for end users.
- Flexible pricing: For SMEs, pricing will be an important consideration. We suggest looking for a cloud-based solution with flexible pricing policies.
- Access controls: Consider access policies such as identity management, activity logs, access and authentication logs, and shadow IT visibility.
Written By
Joel is the Director of Content and a co-founder at Expert Insights; a rapidly growing media company focussed on covering cybersecurity solutions.
He’s an experienced journalist and editor with 8 years’ experience covering the cybersecurity space. He’s reviewed hundreds of cybersecurity solutions, interviewed hundreds of industry experts and produced dozens of industry reports read by thousands of CISOs and security professionals in topics like IAM, MFA, zero trust, email security, DevSecOps and more.
He also hosts the Expert Insights Podcast and co-writes the weekly newsletter, Decrypted. Joel is driven to share his team’s expertise with cybersecurity leaders to help them create more secure business foundations.
Technical Review
Craig MacAlpine is CEO and Founder of Expert Insights. Before founding Expert Insights in August 2018, Craig spent 10 years as CEO of EPA Cloud, an email security provider that rebranded as VIPRE Email Security following its acquisition by Ziff Davies, formerly J2Global (NASQAQ: ZD) in 2013.
Craig is a passionate security innovator with over 20 years of experience helping organizations to stay secure with cutting-edge information security and cybersecurity solutions.
Using his extensive experience in the email security industry, he founded Expert Insights with the singular goal of helping IT professionals and CISOs to cut through the noise and find the right cybersecurity solutions they need to protect their organizations.