Proxy-based internet filtering solution requires you to setup a proxy server, either transparent or non-transparent, then you can setup policies to filter web access. There are a lot open source or free products. This solution has below advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:

1. Free or open source.
2. Can filter websites.

Disadvantages:

1. Most are linux-based. You need a linux pc to setup the proxy.
2. No support.
3. Less features. Only for domain filtering.
4. Add network latency.

Comparison

Proxy-based internet filtering solution is similar to the “website black list” in your router/firewall. If you only need to block some sites, it’s an option.

With WFilter ICF, you will get:

1. Enterprise-level internet monitoring and filtering features.
2. Dedicated support.
3. No influence to network performance.
4. Easier to be deployed.

With rich enterprise-level features, internet filtering appliances(UTM) are very popular in business networks. In this article, I would discuss the difference of WFilter ICF internet content filtering solution with internet filtering appliances solutions. Internet filtering appliances have below advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:

1. More features. UTM appliances integerate more features, including web filter, VPN, firewall, anti-virus…
2. Easier to be deployed.

Disadvantages:

1. Most appliances can only work for 2-3 years.
2. Bad expansion. In case you have more network clients, you need to buy new appliances.
3. Very expensive. Even upgrade is not free.

Comparison

Despite of the above disadvantages, Internet filtering appliances are ideal for business network security.  Though it is more difficult to be deployed with less features, WFilter ICF software also has below advantages:

1. Software solution without additional device, can be deployed with minimal change to network topology.
2. License is upgradable and movable.
3. Free upgrade for lifetime.
4. Most cost-effective.
5. If you prefer UTM solutions, please also check our: WFilter NG firewall.

DNS internet filtering solution provides you a configurable dns server. Dns query to a blocked domain will be redirected to a denial page. This solution has below advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:

1. Easier to be deployed. You only need to change your dns server to get filtered.
2. Can filter domains via a black list or url category.
3. Can provide usage history and reports.

Disadvantages:

1. The filtering dns server may not be as fast as public domain servers.
2. Clients can break filtering by modifying dns servers.
3. All clients can only share a same blocking policy.
4. Can not block applications.
5. Can only record dns query quest. No bandwidth reports or visited url reports.

Comparison

Compared to this internet filtering solutions, WFilter ICF is more difficult to be deployed. However, WFilter is much more powerful:

1. When pass-by deployed, WFilter has no influence to your network performance.
2. Client can not bypass filtering because WFilter inspects all network packets.
3. You can set individual blocking policy for each client.
4. More filtering features, including web filtering, web downloading blacklist, url keywords filtering, application control, ip-mac binding…
5. More monitoring features and reports. WFilter can record visited domains, url, bandwidth… You can get various reports and statistics.

So if you only need to filter some domains or categories for the whole network, dns filtering would be a good choice. If you need more detailed reports or more dedicated blocking policy, WFilter ICF can be more helpful.

Client or browser plugin internet filtering solutions require you to install a client agent or browser plugin in client pc to filter websites. This solution has below advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:

1. Easier to be deployed. You can install client agent or plugin instantly.
2. Can block domains or filter websites via cloud-based url category database.

Disadvantages:

1. Can not filter smart phones internet access.
2. Need to be installed in every client pc.
3. Clients can break filtering by changing browser, or killing the agent process.

Comparison

Compared to this internet filtering solutions, WFilter ICF is more difficult to be deployed. However, WFilter is more powerful and easier for maintaince:

1. WFilter can filter the whole network by one installation.
2. All type of clients can be filtered, including smartphone, andriod, mac, windows, linux.
3. No client installation is required.
4. More features: internet usage monitoring and reporting, application control, web filter…

So, for personal/family usage, client & browser plugin web filtering solution might be a good choice. But when you need to manage a business network, WFilter ICF provides a better solution.