What is a Firewall?

A firewall is a security system designed to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predefined security rules. Firewalls can be implemented at different levels of the network, including the hardware level, operating system level, and application level. Firewalls can block unwanted traffic, detect and prevent unauthorized access, and protect against malware and other security threats.

What is Content Filtering?

Content filtering refers to the process of blocking or allowing access to certain types of content based on predefined criteria. Content filtering can be done at the network level or at the endpoint level, and can be based on a variety of factors, including keywords, categories, file types, and more. Content filtering is often used to block access to inappropriate or harmful websites, or to prevent employees from accessing non-work-related content during work hours.

What is DNS Filtering?

DNS filtering is a type of content filtering that is based on domain name system (DNS) queries. DNS filtering works by intercepting DNS queries and determining whether to allow or block the requested domain based on predefined criteria. DNS filtering can be used to block access to known malicious domains, prevent access to specific categories of content, and enforce company policies related to internet usage.

Why do DNS filters and DNS Firewalls get mixed up?

One reason for the confusion between DNS filtering and DNS firewall is that both technologies operate at the DNS level. However, while DNS filtering is a type of content filtering that focuses on blocking or allowing access to specific domains, DNS firewalling is a more comprehensive approach that involves blocking or allowing traffic based on a wide range of criteria, including IP addresses, ports, protocols, and more. In essence, DNS filtering is a subset of DNS firewalling, but the two terms are often used interchangeably, which can lead to confusion.

Are they the same or different, then?

While DNS filtering is often referred to as a DNS firewall, this is not entirely accurate. A DNS firewall is a security system that is designed to prevent attacks that exploit DNS vulnerabilities, such as DNS cache poisoning or DNS amplification attacks. DNS filtering, on the other hand, is a content filtering technology that is designed to block or allow access to specific domains based on predefined criteria. While both technologies operate at the DNS level, they have different purposes and should be referred to using the appropriate terminology.

It’s crucial for cybersecurity companies to have a clear understanding of what “DNS Firewall” really means and to ensure that they can deliver exactly what their clients expect from them, without any confusion or uncertainty. While this term is used in many definitions and contexts, it can sometimes be difficult to know exactly what you’re getting. That’s why it’s important to choose a cybersecurity provider that you can trust to provide the services they promise. At SafeDNS, we started out as a content filter, and we have built our reputation on being transparent and delivering exactly what we say we will. When you work with us, you can have confidence that you are getting the protection and security you need, without any guesswork or uncertainty. Choose SafeDNS and let us help you stay safe and secure online.

If you’re interested in protecting your network and employees from harmful content and malicious domains, sign up for a free trial of SafeDNS today.

SafeDNS AppBlocker is a web filtering tool that enables precise control over your filtering settings, making it an excellent option to consider. SafeDNS AppBlocker has a list of 100+ apps divided into 14 groups for easier management, making it easier to block specific apps or ecosystems.

With SafeDNS AppBlocker, you can block individual apps or entire ecosystems or groups of apps/ecosystems. This gives you complete control over what apps are accessible, ensuring that you and your users are protected from harmful content and potential security threats.

AppBlocker VS. Categories

AppBlocker settings have a higher priority than Category settings in SafeDNS, which means that if an app is blocked by AppBlocker, that setting will override any Category settings that apply to the same app.

For instance, let’s say you have allowed access to social media apps by Categories settings, but you have also blocked access to Instagram by AppBlocker. In this scenario, Instagram will be blocked, even though it belongs to a category that is allowed.

It’s crucial to note that AppBlocker works one way only. If an app is blocked by Category settings, AppBlocker won’t allow access to that app. In such cases, it’s better to use the Allowlists to explicitly allow access to specific apps, regardless of their category.

AppBlocker VS. Allow/Denylists

AppBlocker functionality works alongside the Allow/Denylists to provide granular control over app and website access. While AppBlocker offers a more flexible approach to web filtering by allowing you to block individual apps or entire ecosystems/groups of apps, the Allow/Denylists enable you to explicitly allow or block specific websites or apps, irrespective of their category.

One crucial thing to note is that the Allow/Denylists have a higher priority than AppBlocker settings. This means that if a group of apps is blocked by AppBlocker, but an app from this group is in the Allowlist, the user will have access to the app because the Allowlist settings take precedence.

Whether you want to block social media apps during work hours, prevent access to gambling or adult content, or simply manage app usage, SafeDNS AppBlocker is the perfect solution. Its easy-to-use interface and customizable features make web filtering a breeze, helping you stay safe and secure online.

So, how exactly do SafeDNS Categories work? Basically, when you try to access a website, SafeDNS checks its URL against its database of categorized websites. If the website falls into a blocked category, access is denied. If it’s in an allowed category, access is granted. Simple, right? SafeDNS Categories are super handy, especially when it comes to controlling internet access in a safe and secure way.

SafeDNS Categories and the Allow/Denylist:

Another great feature of SafeDNS is the Allow/Denylist. This is a list of websites that are either explicitly allowed or blocked, regardless of their category. SafeDNS Categories and the  Allow/Denylist work together to provide granular control over website access. SafeDNS Categories do not override the Allow/Denylist.

How the Allowlist Only Feature Works:

The Allowlist only feature is a setting in SafeDNS that allows you to block all websites except for those that are explicitly listed on the Allowlist. This is perfect for organizations that want to restrict website access to only a select few sites. You can be sure that your employees or students are only accessing the websites that you’ve deemed appropriate.

How Force Safe Search and Force Restricted Mode for Youtube Work:

SafeDNS offers a Safe Search feature that filters out any explicit content from search results on popular search engines such as Google, Bing, and Yandex. This ensures that your employees or students are not exposed to inappropriate content while browsing the web. In addition, SafeDNS offers a Restricted Mode feature for YouTube, which filters out any age-inappropriate videos on the platform. With these powerful features, you can ensure a safe and secure browsing experience for your users, and have peace of mind knowing that your organization’s web filtering policies are being enforced.

SafeDNS Categories are a powerful tool for controlling internet access and enforcing company policies. With SafeDNS Categories, the  Allow/Denylist, Allowlist only setting, Safe Search, and Restricted Mode for Youtube, you can customize your web filtering settings to meet your organization’s specific needs. SafeDNS is a great way to ensure a safe and secure internet environment for your employees or students.

SafeDNS schedule allows organizations to set time-based access policies for their users. With SafeDNS schedule, administrators can easily specify the times during which users are allowed or blocked from accessing certain websites or website categories, improving productivity and compliance.

For example, you can set a schedule that allows access to social media websites during lunch hours only. If an employee tries to access social media outside of the allowed time, they will be redirected to a blocked page.

The benefits of SafeDNS schedule are numerous. Firstly, it helps managers improve employee productivity by ensuring that employees are not wasting time on non-work-related websites during working hours. Additionally, it helps organizations comply with policies and regulations regarding internet usage, ensuring that employees are not accessing inappropriate or illegal content during work hours.

SafeDNS schedule also provides managers with a high degree of flexibility in setting policies for different groups of employees based on their roles, schedules, or other criteria. It can be easily managed and configured through a web-based interface, making it easy for managers to set policies and monitor employee activity.

Overall, SafeDNS schedule is a powerful tool that can help organizations improve employee productivity, maintain compliance, and enhance security.

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SafeDNS Policy feature is a powerful tool for network management that enables businesses to enhance security and productivity. With SafeDNS, you can customize access and filtering settings per IP and Agent, ensuring that your network is secure and efficient.

The Policy per IP feature allows businesses to create different policies for different IP addresses, ensuring that only authorized users can access specific websites and content. Similarly, the Policy per Agent feature enables businesses to establish policies based on the type of device accessing the network, further strengthening network security.

Moreover, SafeDNS Block page per IP and Agent feature allows businesses to customize the block page that users see when they try to access blocked content. This feature enables businesses to ensure that their employees are aware of network security policies and helps prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Furthermore, SafeDNS also provides filtering settings per IP and Agent, which enables businesses to set up varying levels of filtering based on the device accessing the network. For example, businesses can implement less strict filtering on devices used by employees with specific roles or responsibilities.

Finally, SafeDNS Auto-generation policy feature saves time by automatically generating policies based on the type of device accessing the network. This feature ensures that all devices joining the network have the appropriate policies in place, minimizing the risk of network breaches.

In conclusion, SafeDNS Policy feature is a must-have for businesses for managing network access and content filtering. By customizing policies per IP and Agent, businesses can ensure that their network is secure and efficient, and the use of customized block pages and automatic policy generation saves time and minimizes the risk of network breaches.  With SafeDNS, businesses can optimize their network security and productivity and focus on their core operations with peace of mind.

Start using SafeDNS for free

Take advantage of the SafeDNS trial period and try all the best features