Certified: The Security+ Prepcast

Web filtering and content security are essential for managing user behavior and blocking malicious or inappropriate content before it ever reaches the endpoint. In this episode, we explore how organizations use proxy servers, secure web gateways, DNS filtering, and URL categorization to restrict access to risky websites and enforce browsing policies. We discuss agent-based versus agentless filtering, how reputation scoring and blacklists help prevent access to known threats, and how tools can analyze page content dynamically to catch zero-day phishing or drive-by download sites. Web filters also provide visibility into usage trends, helping organizations manage bandwidth and enforce acceptable use policies. We highlight the importance of SSL decryption, exception handling, and user awareness when configuring policies. In a world where a single click can lead to compromise, controlling and monitoring web access is a foundational layer of endpoint defense.