Cisco Umbrella Custom URL Blocking Dynamically Populating Your Block List

Title:

Introduction:

This article focuses on the topic of custom URL blocking using Cisco Umbrella. It explains how to dynamically populate your block list and provides examples of how this feature can be used to enhance security.

Q1: What is custom URL blocking?

A1: Custom URL blocking is a feature provided by Cisco Umbrella that allows you to block access to specific URLs based on your organization’s policies. This feature provides an additional layer of security by preventing users from accessing potentially malicious or inappropriate websites.

Q2: How can I create a custom block list in Cisco Umbrella?

A2: To create a custom block list in Cisco Umbrella, navigate to the “Policies” section of the dashboard and select “Block/Allow” Lists. From there, you can create a new block list and add URLs to it manually or by importing a CSV file. You can also use the “Dynamic Block List” feature to automatically add URLs to your block list based on predefined rules.

Q3: What are some examples of how custom URL blocking can be used?

A3: Custom URL blocking can be used in a variety of ways to enhance security. For example, you can use it to block access to known phishing websites or websites that are known to distribute malware. You can also use it to block access to social media or other non-work-related websites to increase productivity in the workplace. Additionally, you can use custom URL blocking to comply with regulatory requirements by blocking access to websites that are not in compliance with industry standards.

Q4: How does dynamic URL blocking work?

A4: Dynamic URL blocking works by automatically adding URLs to your block list based on predefined rules. For example, you can set up a rule to block all websites that contain certain keywords or that have a certain reputation score. When Umbrella detects a website that meets these criteria, it will automatically add it to your block list, ensuring that your organization is protected from potential threats. Dynamic URL blocking can be a powerful tool for enhancing security, as it allows you to stay up-to-date with the latest threats without requiring manual intervention.

Conclusion:

Custom URL blocking is an important feature for organizations looking to enhance their security posture. By creating a custom block list and using dynamic URL blocking, you can prevent users from accessing potentially malicious or inappropriate websites, increasing your overall security.

Title:

Introduction: This article focuses on the topic of custom URL blocking using Cisco Umbrella. Specifically, it discusses how to dynamically populate your block list in order to keep up with the constantly changing threat landscape.

Q: What is custom URL blocking and why is it important?

A: Custom URL blocking is the ability to block specific websites or URLs that may be deemed inappropriate or potentially harmful to an organization. With the increasing number of cyber threats and malicious websites, custom URL blocking is an important tool in protecting against these threats. It allows organizations to prevent users from accessing websites known to contain malware, phishing scams, or other malicious content.

Q: How does Cisco Umbrella help with custom URL blocking?

A: Cisco Umbrella is a cloud-based security platform that provides a range of security services, including custom URL blocking. It allows organizations to create and manage their own block lists, as well as leverage pre-configured block lists provided by Cisco. Additionally, Umbrella uses machine learning to identify and block new threats in real-time, further enhancing its effectiveness.

Q: How can I dynamically populate my block list with Cisco Umbrella?

A: To dynamically populate your block list, you can use Umbrella’s Security Graph API. This API allows you to pull in threat intelligence data from a variety of sources, including Cisco Talos, and automatically add new malicious domains or URLs to your block list. By setting up automated workflows to pull in this data on a regular basis, you can ensure that your block list is always up-to-date and effective in protecting your organization.

Q: Can you provide an example of how dynamic URL blocking with Cisco Umbrella works?

A: Sure! Let’s say that a new phishing campaign is detected that uses a specific domain to host its phishing page. This domain is not currently on your block list, but you want to block it to prevent users from falling victim to the phishing scam. Using Umbrella’s Security Graph API, you can automatically add this domain to your block list as soon as it is detected. This ensures that any attempts to access the phishing page from within your organization are blocked, even if the phishing campaign is ongoing and the attackers are constantly changing their tactics.

In conclusion, custom URL blocking is an important tool in protecting against cyber threats, and Cisco Umbrella provides a powerful platform for implementing this protection. By dynamically populating your block list using Umbrella’s Security Graph API, you can ensure that your organization is always protected against the latest threats.