Best 10 methods for implementing URL filtering

Best 10 methods for implementing URL filtering

URL filtering is a filter that allows or prevents users from accessing a specific website. This method has become a basic method on the enterprise network. Its goal is to prevent employees from accessing content that may impair efficiency or the company's interests. Blocked websites may be websites that threaten Enterprise Security, contain malicious content, or consume a large amount of bandwidth.

URL filtering can enhance network security and enhance the company's resource usage policies. It is an essential measure for most work scenarios. The implementation of URL filtering is not difficult, but it can be easier and more efficient if enterprises follow the best method.

1. Use URL filtering as a feature in a unified security solution

Of course, enterprises can purchase URL filtering from specialized vendors as an independent service. However, if enterprises choose a security solution that includes URL filtering, they will be able to enjoy greater benefits. The next generation of high-end firewalls and unified Threat Management (UTM) systems often provide URL filtering features.

The importance of URL filtering is emphasized in security devices and solutions. This method also makes the filtering function easier to configure, control, and manage. Making URL filtering part of the overall security solution can reduce the trouble and increase security.

2. simple configuration and management

The URL filtering scheme should be concise and clear. The most effective security solution allows administrators to configure Web filtering in just a few steps. The initial steps may only ensure that the firewall and intrusion defense system (IPS) can directly obtain illegal and permitted URL lists from the security vendor. Subsequent steps include fine-tuning the URLs that enterprises need to block or allow.

It is equally easy to monitor the activities of Web Filter components. Because the enterprise's filtering feature has become part of the unified security solution, all authorized administrators can easily monitor it from the unique central console.

3. Extensive URL filtering

URL type filtering is one of the simplest and most comprehensive ways to block a large range of illegal URLs. This method can be used as the basis for all Web filtering activities. However, it is only effective for security vendors to constantly update their types. Enterprises should not submit the tasks of regular updates to the IT department, but should be done by security vendors. When the type list is updated, the security vendor should not only send a warning to the administrator, but also deploy and update the system as soon as possible. The high-end security team can use dynamic updates as a feature of the overall security package.

The most advanced Filtering Scheme also has a large number of types and URLs. For high-end filtering solutions, it is not uncommon to include 80 or more types. With the addition of a large number of URL lists, you can build a solution that can block massive URLs.

4. Manual Filtering

Pre-defined list-based Web filtering is a good start, but the most effective filtering solution can give enterprises more flexibility and more operations. The predefined list depends on the type-based filtering to prevent all types of illegal websites. Although this kind of list provides a quick and wide-range filtering method, enterprises still hope to further fine-tune the scheme to meet the specific needs of enterprises.

Enterprises may need to block other websites involved in the type-based options. Enterprises may also want to keep allowing access to specific websites even if they happen to belong to a predefined list or type. The high-end Web filtering solution allows enterprises to use type-based filtering, while allowing users to manually add their own whitelist and blacklist selection.

5. Check rules

Check rules allow you to further fine-tune the Web filter function. Therefore, you can ensure that some parts of the online application are blocked, but the access and use of the entire application are still allowed. It is a key tool to prevent certain functions on the website (such as chat, file sharing, and other functions that affect productivity.

Check rules can cause communication to be deeply checked. The most powerful Web filtering function can check Web communication at the URL level, and decrypt and re-encrypt to ensure that unnecessary or potential malicious communication fails.

6. User response

Although it seems to be a small detail to warn users about URL matching, it is an extremely important option. Letting users know that a website is blocked helps to avoid confusion and even help the IT department. A Custom User response can send a warning or notice to the user to tell the real reason why the website he is trying to access is blocked.

User response creation should also be concise and straightforward. It generally involves accessing the configuration menu, building a new user response, and giving it a meaningful and unique name. The administrator can also select from the existing response list or add other details as needed.

7. Comprehensive Strategies

Setting Web filtering policies is the responsibility of the IT team, and this should be the task to be executed as efficiently and seamlessly as possible. Enterprises must be careful to bring more work security solutions to the IT team. For example, some solutions require that they set separate policies for the HTTPS and HTTP proxy servers, which is not very good. This not only increases the IT team's time to maintain policies, but also increases the risk of human error.

Therefore, enterprises should choose a comprehensive solution that integrates URL filtering with other technologies. An efficient reinforcement solution can be built by incorporating Web filtering, application recognition, and control into individual policies.

8. Ability to combine multiple technologies

Even if the enterprise does not Merge multiple tools in a single policy, the administrator can choose to merge several security technologies. For example, suppose your company wants to block access to external Web mail servers. Administrators can use a security solution that can use application recognition and URL filtering at the same time. The former can detect private Web mail servers, while the latter can detect public Web mail servers, enterprises should ensure that these two servers are blocked in the network. The ability to merge two or more technologies can provide a fully enhanced comprehensive solution to help ensure illegal communication does not pass through the enterprise network.

9. Powerful security measures

Because some systems do not allow users to perform Web filtering and virus scanning at the same time, the administrator needs to ensure a robust anti-virus solution. Similarly, for Web filtering and Content Check server redirection problems, the Administrator also needs an external content check solution.

When Web filtering is part of the next-generation firewall or a global unified Threat Management System (including anti-virus), redirection of core infrastructure servers becomes a seamless process. This process generally involves configuring the appropriate anti-virus or redirection settings for the core infrastructure server to ensure that all communications are thoroughly checked. In addition, it is critical to ensure that enterprise anti-virus solutions are effective for different applications, different types of communication, and different protocols.

10. Avoid over-blocking

Of course, URL filtering is not more beneficial, especially when blocking policies may inadvertently cause problems to users. For example, some applications may require specific commercial spyware to correctly implement the function. Blocking all commercial spyware may cause this application to become unavailable or make it inaccessible to users who need it.

Another problem of transitional blocking is that IT may increase the burden on the IT team. IT will be asked to fix IT frequently to solve the problem of unavailability caused by transitional blocking. This situation will increase the burden on resources and waste time on users and IT teams. Regular checks on enterprise Web filtering policies, Manual updates when necessary, and frequent minor adjustments to policies help eliminate policy exceptions and ensure enterprise network security.