The business world has seemingly divided views on content filtering. Some say that the tactic is too restrictive, while others opine that it can help in a lot of ways. Building on the latter perspective, in an age when the Internet has become a breeding ground for almost anything—from innocent science projects to scary malware variations—content filtering is indeed a necessary course of action for many companies.

A study shows that 89% of organizations employ content filtering tactics to block one or more websites. And the larger the company is, the more likely it is to filter or restrict employee access to specific websites. Around 96% of organizations with more than 1,000 employees filter content, while only 81% of small businesses or those that employ 1-99 employees do so.

While these organizations may have varying reasons for restricting employee Internet access, they do reap several benefits, two of which are explored in the following sections.

1. Content Filtering Can Help Deter Malware Attacks

Malware can come in the form of enticing email offers, seemingly innocent messages from social media contacts, or convincing search results. Whatever the case may be, the fact is that malware can also destroy a business. Ransomware, in particular, can encrypt files on infected computers or worse render systems useless. Data stealers, meanwhile, can result in costly data breaches. Even scarier is the fact that 60% of small companies succumbing to cyber-attacks often go out of business within six months.

One solution to avoid becoming a malware victim is to restrict employee access to nonwork-related websites. This process involves determining what types of sites need to be blocked on the corporate network.

As part of this, one way to make content filtering more effective is to use Website Contacts and Categorization Database. The resource contains millions of websites that are already classified into different categories, including the ones that most companies block:

• Arts and Entertainment
• Gambling
• Recreation and Hobbies
• Shopping
• Adult

That’s a good thing considering that peer-to-peer (P2P) sharing sites, which often fall in the Arts and Entertainment category, are a malware haven. And so are illegal video-streaming apps. What’s more, some hackers have recently been reported targeting online gambling and betting sites.

Once you have made your selection for blocking, you can then use Website Contacts and Categorization Data Feed to identify websites that fall under your blacklisted categories for immediate follow-up action.

2. Content Filtering Improves Employee Productivity

Content filtering is also an effective way to enhance employee productivity. According to studies, a majority of office workers spend at least four hours per week browsing through nonwork-related websites. That’s equivalent to 26 paid working days per year that could be spent checking personal emails, browsing through social media sites, or even looking for another job.

As noted earlier, large enterprises are more likely to restrict employee Internet access through content filtering than their smaller counterparts, and a website contacts and categorization database can help keep employees’ activities in check.

* * *

Restricting access to nonwork-related websites and applications can be an effective countermeasure against some spammers’ tools, tactics, and procedures (TTPs). When employees can’t visit potentially dangerous websites, a company’s network has a better chance to remain safe.

Furthermore, content filtering has the effect to effectively boost employee productivity, as they would have more time to work on essential tasks. In short, with the help of a Website Contacts and Categorization Database, businesses can make their content filtering strategies more targeted.