A business web content filtering service helps to keep network systems free from malware, and the consequences of phishing attacks and drive-by downloads, by controlling access to websites and file types that are likely to contain computer viruses.
Services for business Internet filtering can also be used to prevent cyberslacking at work and bandwidth problems, with the result that potential HR issues are avoided and a better level of service is delivered to your customers.
A Business Internet Content Filter Helps Keep Network Systems Free from Malware
A business Internet content filter helps keep network systems free from malware by analyzing every request to visit a web page when a link is clicked on or a URL typed into a browser. The filter compares the request against its parameter settings to determine whether access to the web page should be allowed, or denied if the content of the web page is considered unsafe or undesirable.
The parameter settings are determined by the organization subscribing to the business web content filtering service. However, most services for business Internet filtering have blacklists preinstalled to block access to websites and file types that are likely to contain computer viruses. Blacklists are usually updated by the business web content filtering service provider.
Some services for business Internet filtering also include SSL inspection. This feature provides maximum protection against web-borne threats by decrypting “secure” web pages (those with a https:// prefix), checking the content of the page and any downloadable files for infections, and then re-encrypting the page for safe transmission.
Prevent Cyberslacking with a Business Internet Content Filter
In addition to blacklists, a business Internet content filter helps keep network systems free from malware by using category filters and keyword filters. These mechanisms can also be used to restrict access to non-work related web pages in order to prevent “cyberslacking” – an issue calculated to cost industry millions of dollars in lost productivity each year.
Although some personal use of the Internet is considered to have a positive impact on productivity at work, excessive “cyberslacking” can cause resentment among work colleagues and create HR issues if the cyberslacker is considered to be in breach of acceptable use policies. Depending on the nature of the content being viewed (i.e. pornography), the cyberslacker could also be creating a hostile environment in the workplace.
To prevent cyberslacking and avoid allegations that an employer has failed in their duty to provide a safe working environment, the parameter settings on a business web content filtering service can be configured to block access to social media sites, online shopping sites, sites providing sports coverage and others containing pornography and other objectionable material – potentially increasing productivity in the workplace.
Services for Business Internet Filtering Eliminate Bandwidth Issues
An issue often shared by visitors using a business´s WiFi service and workplace employees is limited bandwidth. Few organizations have unlimited bandwidth and, during periods of high Internet traffic, WiFi users can experience slow Internet connection speeds or a limited service that prevents employees accessing and replying to their emails – even on a wired network.
Businesses experiencing bandwidth issues have the choice of restricting individual bandwidth use or paying for more bandwidth. To avoid paying for long periods of over-capacity, it is preferable for many businesses to restrict individual bandwidth use. A simple way of achieving this is to set bandwidth limits using a business web content filtering service.
Most services for business Internet filtering have the granularity to configure settings by user, user-group or by time. Individuals or departments that require access to bandwidth heavy video streaming sites and/or web applications can be excluded from the general bandwidth restrictions, or be allowed access during specific times of the day when the business´s level of Internet use is lower.
Delivering a Better Level of Service to Your Customers
Ensuring that everybody has sufficient bandwidth to browse the web and access their emails is just one of the ways in which a business Internet content filter helps businesses deliver a better level of service to their customers. A business web content filtering service can also improve customer engagement in the retail industry.
Services for business Internet filtering automatically produce usage reports. These reports are primarily provided in order that administrators can identify threats to the security of their system networks and make adjustments to their filtering parameters – and their acceptable Internet use policies – as necessary.
However, the reports provide an insight into users´ online activities and, with this information, businesses in the retail industry can tailor marketing campaigns based on their customers´ interests. Not only will this deliver a better level of service to customers, but – as word gets around – new customers should be attracted to the business and sales should increase.
Evaluating Services for Business Internet Filtering
Services for business Internet filtering can vary significantly in the degree of protection they provide, their cost and the resources required to manage them. Typically, a hardware-based business web content filtering service has a large capital outlay and – depending on the level of granularity you require to maximize your business´s efficiency – could have a high management overhead.
Alternatively, a software-based business Internet content filter will have low implementation costs – if any – and ongoing subscription costs for the service depending on the number of users and devices you want to protect. Irrespective of the type of service you select, the best services for business Internet filtering should have SSL inspection and multi-lingual filtering, and be capable of blocking anonymizer services.
Naturally you will want your business web content filtering service to be compatible with your existing network system, so it is advisable to implement a business Internet content filter that has APIs for backend integration. It is also advisable to implement a business Internet content filter that is scalable in order that you will not have to repeat the evaluation exercise should your business expand.
Speak with WebTitan about our Business Web Content Filtering Service
WebTitan is a leading provider of web content filtering solutions, and our DNS-based business Internet content filter – WebTitan Cloud – is a versatile, cost-effective solution for many businesses looking to keep their network systems free from malware, prevent cyberslacking and bandwidth issues and deliver a better level of service to their customers.
The implementation of our business Internet content filter requires neither hardware purchases nor software installations. Businesses simply redirect their DNS to our servers to start filtering the Internet. Parameter settings can be easily configured from any location via a browser-based portal – an important time-saving feature for businesses with multiple outlets in the retail industry.
There is no limit to the number of users or devices that can be protected by our services for business Internet filtering and businesses have the option of customizing their own category filters in order to address their own specific needs. Naturally, our business web control filtering service has SSL inspection, multi-lingual filtering and prevents users from circumnavigating the parameters settings by blocking access to anonymizer services.
WebTitan Cloud Features
- No hardware purchases or software installations
- A simple and intuitive configuration portal delivers a low maintenance overhead.
- Compatible with all network systems – wired and wireless.
- A completely scalable solution with no limit on bandwidth or the number of users.
- User, user-group and time-based filtering options provide maximum granularity.
- Comprehensive reporting facilities provide an oversight of browsing activity.
- MSPs and resellers have the option of a supplying our business web content filtering service in white-label format.
Speak with us today about WebTitan Cloud and you will be invited to try our business Internet content filter free for fourteen days. Once the trial period has expired, there is no obligation for your business to continue with our business web content filtering service.
However, we believe that - once you have tried our business web content filtering service - you will be reluctant to stop protecting your network systems from malware, stop preventing your employees from cyberslacking and stop providing a better level of service to your customers.
