Did you know there are many benefits to using the Secure Web Gateway in Umbrella? This blog post will highlight some of the top benefits of using the Secure Web Gateway. Keep reading to learn more!
Benefits of the Secure Web Gateway in Umbrella
Secure Web Gateway is a free feature of the Umbrella service. It is a WAF (Web Application Firewall) that protects against common web application attacks. SWG also provides a URL filtering feature that helps you filter out unwanted web content before it reaches your network.
SWG is available as a stand-alone virtual appliance, or as part of an Umbrella subscription. As a service, SWG enhances your existing firewall with Real Time protection against threats that target insecure web applications and inappropriate content. The following are the benefits of using the Secure Web Gateway.
Key Features and Benefits
1. URL Filtering
URL filtering is an important security feature that allows you to block specific websites or categories of websites. For example, you can block social media sites, online gambling sites, or any other website category. So, you do not want your employees to visit while at work.
2. Malware Blocking
Malware is software designed to damage or disable computers and computer systems. You can block malware from entering your network by using the Malware Protection feature on SWG. It blocks access to known malicious websites and uses Umbrella Reputation Services to block malware downloads before they reach your network.
3. Botnet Protection
Botnets are groups of computers infected with malicious software and controlled as a group without the owner’s knowledge or consent. Botnet protection blocks access to known malicious botnet command and control servers. It helps keep your organization safe from becoming part of a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack or participating in other types of botnet activities.
4. Application Control (URL Filtering Advanced)
Application Control is an advanced URL filtering feature that allows you to apply granular rules for blocking specific websites or categories of websites. This is based on the application protocol used for communication between the client and server (i.e., HTTPS, HTTP). For example, you can block all HTTP traffic from accessing Google Docs but allow specific applications.
5. Malicious Traffic Blocking
Malicious Traffic Blocking allows you to block user access to websites that have been reported by Umbrella Threat Intelligence researchers. This feature also blocks website traffic that matches the threat indicators for botnets and other malicious software. Malicious Traffic Blocking is an add-on feature for SWG in an Umbrella subscription plan.
Why the Secure Web Gateway?
Secure Web Gateway is a free feature of the Umbrella service that provides essential protection. This is against threats that target insecure web applications and inappropriate content. So, the Secure Web Gateway is an easy way to mitigate risks associated with unsafe web browsing through proxy filtering.
Also, blocking malicious websites before they reach your network. The Secure Web Gateway works with the Umbrella cloud service. That is to enhance your existing firewall with real-time protection. This is against threats that target insecure web applications and inappropriate content.
You can use the Secure Web Gateway as part of an Umbrella subscription plan for full cloud security coverage. Also, as a stand-alone virtual appliance for on-premises filtering and blocking of inappropriate content before it reaches your network.