Cisco Umbrella

DNSFILTER VS UMBRELLA: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

DNSFilter is the only DNS threat protection providing real-time domain analysis that results in protection from more threats. At DNSFilter, we detect zero-day threats an average of over 5 days before traditional threat feeds.

Though basic Cisco Umbrella features appear simple to configure, customers report encountering errors that sometimes take days to resolve as soon as you want to apply IP filtering or SSL decryption, they encounter errors that sometimes take days to resolve. In contrast, DNSFilter customers have expressed time and time again that configuring DNSFilter is simple, while its interface is easy to understand, and include phenomenal customer support, in the rare occasion it’s needed. (Read Reviews)

While Cisco includes a URL filtering option, it comes with limitations. You can block URLs, but you cannot allow them. Limited and inflexible URL filtering isn’t the best option for web security. Along with block and allow lists for specific domains, DNSFilter offers comprehensive DNS filtering. Combining the two capabilities provides a simpler and more effective solution that requires less administrative management.

Lastly, even though Cisco Umbrella’s protection is extended to remote users, Cisco Umbrella does not support every operating system. At DNSFilter, we support Windows, iOS, MacOS, and Android. Cisco Umbrella does not support Android devices.

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CISCO URL FILTERING VS DNSFILTER DNS FILTERING

While there is a Cisco URL filtering option, it has its limitations. You can block URLs, but you cannot allow them. So if you have use cases where you’d like to allow certain pages of a website but block the rest, that leaves you with the unwieldy task of blocking every single page (sometimes hundreds or thousands) except the ones you want to access. In addition to URL filtering, Cisco Umbrella advertises IP filtering which is really just IP allowing. There is no way to block IPs through Cisco Umbrella. Since IPs can bypass the entire domain name system, it doesn’t make sense to allow IPs. The main benefit of IP filtering would be to block IPs, which Cisco Umbrella does not do. But URL filtering isn’t necessarily the best option for web security. DNSFilter does DNS filtering, which is a much simpler solution for the end user that requires less management overall.

CISCO UMBRELLA ROAMING CLIENT VS. DNSFILTER ROAMING CLIENTS

Roaming Clients give you the ability to deploy DNS security to your endpoints, and it’s a useful tool if you’re interested in more granular reporting. Cisco Umbrella does not support every operating system when it comes to Roaming Clients, or “agents.” At DNSFilter, we support Windows, iOS, MacOS, and Android. Cisco Umbrella does not support Android devices.

DNSFILTER vs Cisco Umbrella

Features	DNSFilter	Cisco Umbrella
Stable & Global Network
LAN Proxy/Virtual Appliance
Policy Change Update	INSTANT	UP TO 15 MIN
Desktop Roaming Clients
Mobile Roaming Clients		Profile Configuration
Desktop Roaming Clients
Imagery-based Anti-phishing
Whitelabeled for Resale
Domain categorization
Bulk Block Lists
G2 Customer Satisfaction Rating	96	53

TRUSTED BY ENTERPRISE, SMBS, AND MSPS

Arclight Case Study

Keys to success: DNSFilter’s Roaming Clients and easy implementation.

READ THE CASE STUDY

Frequently Asked Questions

DNS Filtration that just works

I haven't found anything I don't like about DNSFilter. I've never had issues with it or needed to troubleshoot it. It just works and it listens to me. Customer support is extremely responsive, gives quick and concise answers with little to no time wasted.

Does what the product claims; good value for the price

We use the product for handling business URL filtering. The DNS look ups are fast and the management of allow/deny lists is pretty easy. Reporting is useful. There are some cool features for granular management at an individual machine level. The price is quite reasonable for what it does. It's pretty much set and forget.

Its raining malware but I wont reach for my Umbrella, but DNS Filter instead

The ease of use and overall ability to block applications, limit search engines, block a number of threat types and add good sites to a whitelist or block a known bad site in a blacklist. Reporting is also the BEST I have seen as it is so easy to find good and bad blocks...allowing you to easily and daily to monitor and update lists as needed.

DNSFilter - A Fast, Easy, And Reliable DNS Filtering Solution

Setup and deployment were super easy. Support has been excellent. Overall, the product is a nice addition to our security stack, blocking threats at the DNS level.

DNSFilter Is A No Brainer. It Cost Less Than Its Competitors And Easy To Setup.

DNSFilter is easy to setup and configure. I was up and running in a day. It works on all OS platforms and doesn't interfere with our end users doing their jobs.

Compliance Level DNS Filtering

Provides client level installation for DNS filtering when outside of the building. Complements EndPoint and Firewall web filtering by processing all DNS requests through an active filter to help stop malware distribution. We can distribute the product uniquely using RMM to each customer and management and controls are customer unique.

Great platform, even greater customer support

It is incredibly easy to get started. The interface is very user-friendly. If you have any issues, the customer support chat is handy. You get connected to an actual human, not just a chatbot.

Fast to deploy, protect an entire network in a minute

Good web filtering for all our locations, we also deployed the roaming client to cover our users when they are outside the company network. It is also our first level of defense if there is a threat as the domain might be blocked before our EPP / EDR detect something.

Easy-to-use DNS security solution

I love how DNSFilter is constantly being updated with new features and security updates. This gives me peace of mind knowing that my business is always protected from the latest online threats.

Finally, a DNS filter that actually works!

DNSFilter has proven to be one of the easiest solutions to implement. The intuitive interface makes on-going administration a breeze. We're happy to know our internet security stack is protected and the accurate categorization of traffic has not interfered with approved business functions.