Filtering solutions to control Internet access are available in many different formats. There are hardware, software and cloud-based filtering solutions. Some have clients to install onto each device. Others have a central administration portals that control Internet access throughout a whole network.
There are filtering services with capital costs attached to them, filtering services that have a monthly subscription, and filtering services you can download for free from the Internet – although the latter lack versatility, may not work on different platforms across the same network and are easy to disable.
Being able to control Internet access undoubtedly has its benefits. Businesses can mitigate threats from malware, ransomware and phishing attacks, and improve workplace productivity by blocking access to non-work related websites such as Amazon, Netflix and Facebook.
However, finding the best filtering solution to control Internet access can be difficult. There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution because of the different requirements of different businesses. Furthermore, if you select a solution that lacks the versatility you need, you could leave gaps in your network defenses for hackers to exploit and hinder – rather than improve – workplace productivity.
Filtering Solutions from SpamTitan
SpamTitan´s filtering solutions overcome the issue of versatility by offering network administrators a wide choice of how they want to control Internet access. Access to the Internet can be controlled by category, keyword, time, and bandwidth; and different user policies can be applied to different network users depending on their roles.
Despite the versatility of our filtering solutions, they are incredibly simple to use. For example, network administrators can select which of the fifty-three categories of Internet content they wish to block (abortion, adult entertainment, alternative beliefs, etc.), and apply the settings with a click of a mouse via the centralized administration portal. There are no individual clients to install or update.
To further reduce the maintenance overhead, all software updates and the categorization of new websites are done automatically. Our filtering solutions have automatic configuration and automatic back-up and restore features, and can be integrate with directory tools such as Active Directory in order to accelerate the application of user policies.
Network Internet activity can be viewed in real time, or network administrators have the option of reviewing historic Internet activity via a suite of customizable reports. These reports can help identify trends and threats to the integrity of the network, while a policy violation alert systems warns system administrators of attempts to bypass the filtering parameters.
Protecting Networks against Malware
In addition to having incredible versatility and ease of use, SpamTitan´s filtering solutions control Internet access to websites known to be harboring malware and those likely to be constructed for the purpose of executing a phishing attack. It achieves this via a series of mechanisms that includes blacklists, SURBL filters and URIBL filters.
Our filtering solutions also support HTTPS filtering - an essential tool in the fight against malware infections, as so many websites are now encrypted for security and privacy reasons. HTTPS filters decrypt encrypted websites so that antivirus software can scan their content. During this process, the filters also check the content of the websites for adherence with user policies.
Other mechanisms to protect networks from malware include file type controls. This can be applied to prevent network users downloading files from the Internet most commonly associated with malware (.exe, .scr., .rar, etc.). It is also possible to prevent drive-by downloads and botnets, and all blocked attempts to infiltrate a network are recorded and included in the system reports.
The combination of SpamTitan´s versatile policy engine and robust security mechanisms against malware ensure there are no gaps in network defenses for hackers to exploit. Furthermore, with additional features such as whitelisting and cloud keys available, the filtering parameters can be easily adjusted to prevent the inadvertent blocking of business-critical websites and applications.
Control Internet Access with SpamTitan
SpamTitan is part of a group of companies that has been developing online security solutions since 1999. Our filtering solutions are used by thousands of businesses across the world to control Internet access, enhance productivity, and protect networks from web-borne threats such as malware, ransomware and phishing. Our solutions are available in a choice of deployment options:
- WebTitan Cloud has a simple set up procedure that requires the redirection of the DNS server settings. Our cloud-based filtering solution to control Internet access can be set up in minutes and offers the simplest and most cost-effective option for protecting your network from hidden security risks.
- WebTitan Cloud for WiFi is a highly scalable Internet filter that can control Internet access on wireless networks with imperceptible latency. WebTitan Cloud for WiFi can protect a nationwide network of WiFi hotspots from its centralized administration portal, and is an ideal solution for businesses operating a BYOD policy.
To find out more about our filtering solutions to control Internet access, do not hesitate to get in touch. Our team of Sales Technicians will be happy to answer your questions, explain how our solutions can help control Internet access in your specific environment and offer you a free trial of the WebTitan solution most appropriate for your requirements.
