Cybersecurity risks have been steadily increasing over the years. As cybercriminals develop more advanced tools and techniques to infiltrate networks, the risk to your business has never been greater. Fortunately, the products and services designed to protect against these threats have also evolved.
As a business leader, you might be asking yourself if your current technology and IT safeguards are sufficient to keep your business data secure. One of the most effective and powerful tools available to stay ahead of cyber-attacks is DNS Filtering.
In this article, we'll explain what DNS filtering is and how it works. We’ll also discuss why it’s an essential and cost-effective tool to protect your business from some of the most common cyber threats.
At MapleTronics, we understand the unique challenges faced by small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) when it comes to cybersecurity. Our approach is to work closely with our clients to understand their specific needs and implement proactive, relevant solutions.
While we’re here to offer guidance and support, this article isn’t about convincing you that our services are the perfect fit. Instead, our goal is to equip you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about the technology solutions that are right for your organization.
What is Domain Name System (DNS)?
To understand DNS filtering, it's helpful to first grasp what the Domain Name System (DNS) is. No need to worry—it’s simpler than it sounds. Think of DNS as the internet's address book and translator. It takes domain names, like (www.mapletronics.com), and converts them into numerical IP addresses that computers use to communicate.
This process is crucial because computers rely on these IP addresses to interact with each other. Every time you type a web address into your browser, a DNS server is working quietly in the background to find the corresponding IP address.
Here are the two main functions of DNS you should know:
Name Resolution – DNS translates domain names (like www.mapletronics.com) into numeric IP addresses, including both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses.
Load Distribution – DNS helps distribute traffic to prevent servers from becoming overloaded.
In simple terms, DNS is a vital component of how the internet functions and how you access online content. No website will load until DNS has done its job of matching the domain name with the correct IP address.
A powerful tool your business can use to manage what content and websites your employees and users can access is DNS Filtering.
What is DNS Filtering?
DNS filtering is an access control tool that helps you block harmful websites and unwanted content. It works by filtering and restricting the websites and links your users and employees can access, ensuring they only reach safe and approved online destinations.
How Does DNS filtering work?
DNS filtering works by comparing each website your users try to access against a database of known malicious sites. If a website is identified as harmful, access is immediately blocked. Here’s a quick example of how DNS filtering can protect your business:
Imagine an employee receives a phishing email but lacks the training to recognize it as a threat. They click on a link to a harmful website. DNS filtering would step in by checking whether the website is listed in the company’s block list or flagged as malicious. If it is, the DNS filter will block the site, preventing it from loading and stopping the phishing attack before it can cause any harm.
It's crucial to remember that your employees are the first line of defense against cyber threats, so security awareness training should be a top priority for any business. However, if a malicious link does slip through, DNS filtering adds an extra layer of protection, helping to shield your business from malware, phishing attacks, and other online threats.
What Types of DNS Filtering are Available?
There are four main types of DNS filtering that your business can use:
Content Filtering – Content filtering blocks access to inappropriate or harmful websites, such as those related to gambling or other unsuitable content.
Security-Based Filtering – Security-based filtering prevents access to websites that are known to contain malware or phishing links, helping to protect your network and data from being compromised.
Application-Based Filtering – Application-based filtering restricts access to specific applications and file-sharing services, allowing you to control which tools your employees can use.
User-Based Filtering – User-based filtering lets you create custom filtering rules for different employees. For example, you can grant marketing employees access to social media sites for business promotion while restricting this access for other staff members. This approach ensures that each team member has the appropriate level of access needed for their role while maintaining overall security.
What are the Advantages of DNS filtering?
Enhanced Cybersecurity – DNS filtering adds an extra layer of protection, preventing your employees from accessing malicious websites before they can do any damage. This gives you peace of mind, knowing that there’s an additional safety net in place to block phishing attempts and malware attacks.
Compliance – In certain industries, strict data protection regulations are mandatory. DNS filtering can help your business meet these requirements by preventing cyber incidents and safeguarding sensitive information.
Cost-Effective – DNS filtering is often a cost-effective cybersecurity solution because it integrates seamlessly with your existing network infrastructure and is easy to configure. It also provides comprehensive protection across all devices on your network, regardless of type or manufacturer.
What's the Bottom Line?
After reading this article, you now have a clear understanding of what DNS filtering is, how it functions, and the benefits it can bring to your business. You've also learned that DNS filtering provides an additional layer of security, acting like a safety net in case an employee accidentally clicks on a malicious phishing link or downloads harmful malware.
In short, DNS filtering is a valuable, cost-effective cybersecurity tool that can help protect your business data.
Cybersecurity is constantly evolving, and the solutions that were effective last year—or even last month—might not be sufficient today. The reality is that "good enough" security isn't enough. When it comes to cyber-attacks, it's not a matter of if, but when. The best course of action is to prepare and invest in protection before an attack occurs, so you can minimize the impact when it does.
You may be wondering whether your internal team has the tools and resources to manage cybersecurity on top of their daily responsibilities. If so, you're not alone. Many business leaders in this situation turn to external IT support to complement their internal staff.
If you're considering partnering with an external IT provider, we encourage you to explore several options to find the one that best fits your organization.
While it might seem unusual for us to suggest looking at multiple providers, the truth is that it's important to find the right partnership. We're here to provide the information you need to make the best technology decision for your organization.
Contact us today to learn more or check out our security service offerings here.
Comentários