DNS Filtering: The Simplest Security Win for Any Business

What if you could block 88% of malware infections with a single configuration change? DNS filtering does exactly that, and it's one of the most underused security tools in the small business world.

How DNS Filtering Works

Every time you visit a website, your device asks a DNS server to translate the domain name (like "example.com") into an IP address. DNS filtering intercepts this request and checks the domain against a database of known threats. If the domain is malicious, the request is blocked before any content loads. Your browser never even connects to the dangerous server.

Why It's So Effective

Most cyberattacks require a network connection to a malicious domain at some point: phishing sites need to load, malware needs to phone home, ransomware needs to contact a command server. DNS filtering cuts off all of these at the earliest possible point. And because it works at the network level, it protects every device on your network automatically.

Beyond Security: Content Filtering

DNS filtering also lets you block categories of content: gambling, adult content, social media during work hours, or bandwidth-heavy streaming. Policies can be set per user group, so your marketing team can access social media while other departments can't.

Getting Started

The simplest deployment is changing your router's DNS settings to point to a filtering provider. For more granular control, agents can be installed on individual devices. With OneClickIT's Secure Care plans, DNS filtering is included and managed for you.