A network web filter is an Internet filter that protects entire networks from malware and ransomware. By protecting networks as a whole, a network web filter eliminates the need to install software on individual devices or update each device independently as new threats are identified.
This ease of management extends to applying acceptable use policies to network users. Different acceptable use policies can be applied from a central management portal to individual users or user groups depending on their roles, with no need to update individual devices.
Network Internet Filters from SpamTitan
Spam Titan´s range of network Internet filters – WebTitan – protect both fixed and wireless networks, even when one network supports a service in multiple locations. Our robust filtering mechanisms are updated in real time to offer maximum protection against web-borne threats, and not only protect networks against malware and ransomware, but also against spambots and phishing attacks.
Each network web filter uses a combination of blacklists, URIBL filters and SURBL filters to block user access to websites known to harbor malware, websites that use whois privacy features to hide their identities, or websites that share their IP addresses with known sources of spam. Our network Internet filters also use SSL inspection and antivirus software to detect threats in encrypted websites.
Network administrators can monitor real-time Internet activity via the central management portal, from where it is also possible to pull historic reports by user, user group or network-wide. The data in these reports can help identify gaps in network security – such as Internet traffic travelling through non-standard ports – in order the gaps are closed and network security maximized.
Controlling Network User Internet Access
In order to control network user Internet access, network administrators can integrate SpamTitan´s network Internet filters with existing directory tools, or create acceptable use policies manually. The manual process is simple and consists of selecting which categories of online content (online gambling, P2P file sharing, pornography, etc.) to block access to, and then blocking them with the click of a mouse.
As mentioned above, different acceptable use policies can be applied to individual users or user groups depending on their roles, and the filtering parameters can be fine-tuned using keyword filters and the whitelisting facility. The filtering parameters can also be applied by bandwidth and by time, and cloud keys exist to override all the network web filter´s parameters if required.
Network administrators wishing to measure the effectiveness of the network web filter have a choice of fifty-five preconfigured reports to choose from, or can create their own customizable reports by individual user or user group. SpamTitan´s network Internet filters also have a policy violation alert system to warn network administrators of potential breaches in user policies.
Try a Network Web Filter for Free
The WebTitan range of network Internet filters provides ease of management to ensure network administrators have no difficulty implementing the most effective Internet access controls. The filters are simple to deploy, auto-update, and have an auto back-up and restore facility in order to keep them as low maintenance as possible. The range consist of two network filtering options:
WebTitan Cloud
WebTitan Cloud is a DNS-based network web filter that delivers a filtered Internet service with imperceptible latency. Suitable for organizations of all sizes, WebTitan Cloud can be set up within five minutes via a simple redirection of the DNS server settings to protect networks from malware, ransomware and phishing attacks.
WebTitan Cloud for WiFi
WebTitan Cloud for WiFi protects wireless networks – and the devices that connect to them – with the same effectiveness as the other products in the WebTitan range. Capable of protecting individual WiFi access points or nationwide networks of WiFi hotspots, WebTitan Cloud for WiFi is particularly suitable for businesses that operate BYOD policies.
To learn more about the WebTitan range, or to request a free trial of the network web filter most appropriate for your network, do not hesitate to contact us. Our team of Sales Technicians will be happy to answer any questions you have and guide you through the registration process for your free trial so you can start protecting your network and controlling network user Internet access today.
Network Spam Filter: FAQ
What are the benefits of a network web filter?
Rather than installing spam filters on individual devices, network spam filters can be used across entire networks. This eases the administration of the filter, as updates can be installed across all devices connected to the network at once. It also gives the central administrator greater oversight into how the network is being used, and whether the business’s internal policy on acceptable internet use is being followed.
Can web filters be used to guard against “cyberslacking”?
Web filters are not only useful for guarding against malware attacks, or for preventing employees from accessing dangerous websites. They can also be used to block websites that distract employees from work-related tasks, such as Netflix or Facebook. Unknown numbers of work hours are wasted each year when employees “cyberslack”, and using a network filter to block particular websites is one way of preventing it.
How flexible are network web filters?
Though network filters will come with in-built configurations, administrators will be able to manually change the blacklists and whitelists (i.e. altering which websites are automatically blocked/allowed). Additionally, even though network filters are applied across entire networks, they can also be configured to allow different users access to different websites.
What are blacklists?
Blacklists are collections of IP addresses that are known to be associated with phishing attacks, malware, or other nefarious uses. Network spam filters will have such blacklists and prevent uses from accessing them. Their complement, “whitelists”, are lists of websites that are allowed to be visited by the user.
What are URIBL and SURBL filters?
URIBL and SURBL are both blacklists. URIBL stands for Uniform Resource Identifier BlackList, and it is essentially an up-to-date list of IP addresses that are often used to send spam emails. Similarly, SURBL is a list of URI hosts that usually appear in spam emails.
