Creating a List of Custom URLs to Block with Umbrella

Introduction

The Importance of Blocking Custom URLs

– Understanding Umbrella’s Custom URL Blocking Feature

– Identifying URLs to Block

– Adding URLs to the Block List

– Testing the Block List

– Updating the Block List

Conclusion

The Importance of Regularly Updating the Block List

Introduction

With the increasing amount of malicious websites and online threats, it is crucial for organizations to implement effective web security measures. One of these measures is the ability to block access to specific URLs. This can be accomplished using Cisco Umbrella, a cloud-based security platform that provides protection against a wide range of online threats.

The Importance of Blocking Custom URLs

While Umbrella provides pre-configured categories of URLs to block, there may be specific URLs that are not included in these categories but still pose a threat to your organization’s security. Therefore, it is important to create a list of custom URLs to block in addition to the pre-configured categories.

Understanding Umbrella’s Custom URL Blocking Feature

Umbrella’s custom URL blocking feature allows administrators to create a list of specific URLs to block. This list can be created based on the organization’s specific needs and can be updated as needed.

Identifying URLs to Block

The first step in creating a list of custom URLs to block is to identify the URLs that pose a threat to your organization. This can be done by monitoring web traffic and analyzing the URLs that are being accessed. Additionally, you can use threat intelligence feeds to identify URLs that have been associated with malicious activity.

Adding URLs to the Block List

Once the URLs to block have been identified, they can be added to the block list in Umbrella. This can be done by navigating to the “Policies” tab in the Umbrella dashboard and selecting “Block” under the “Custom URL Categories” section. From there, the URLs can be added to the block list by entering them into the “Add URL” field.

Testing the Block List

After the URLs have been added to the block list, it is important to test the list to ensure that it is blocking the desired URLs. This can be done by attempting to access the blocked URLs from a device on the network. If the block list is working properly, the user should receive a message indicating that the website is blocked.

Updating the Block List

It is important to regularly update the block list to ensure that new threats are being blocked. This can be done by monitoring web traffic and analyzing new URLs that are being accessed. Additionally, threat intelligence feeds can be used to identify new URLs that have been associated with malicious activity.

Conclusion

Creating a list of custom URLs to block with Umbrella is an important step in ensuring your organization’s web security. By understanding Umbrella’s custom URL blocking feature, identifying URLs to block, adding URLs to the block list, testing the block list, and updating the block list, you can effectively protect your organization from online threats.

The Importance of Regularly Updating the Block List

Regularly updating the block list is crucial in maintaining the effectiveness of your organization’s web security. As new threats emerge, it is important to add them to the block list to ensure that they are being blocked. Additionally, URLs that were previously blocked may no longer pose a threat and can be removed from the block list. By regularly updating the block list, you can ensure that your organization’s web security remains effective.

Umbrella is a cloud-based security platform that provides protection against threats like malware, phishing, and ransomware. One of the key features of Umbrella is the ability to block access to specific URLs. This can be useful for organizations that want to prevent their users from accessing certain websites that are known to be malicious or inappropriate.

To create a list of custom URLs to block with Umbrella, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Umbrella dashboard.

2. Click on the “Policies” tab.

3. Select the policy that you want to add the URL block to.

4. Click on the “Settings” tab.

5. Scroll down to the “Content Filtering” section and click on “Add a URL”.

6. Enter the URL that you want to block and click “Add”.

7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for each URL that you want to block.

Once you have created your list of custom URLs to block, you can apply the policy to your users or groups. This will prevent them from accessing the blocked websites, providing an additional layer of security for your organization.

In addition to blocking specific URLs, Umbrella also provides protection against other types of threats. It uses DNS and IP layer enforcement to block malware, phishing, and botnets. It also provides visibility into internet activity across all devices and locations, making it easier to identify and respond to potential security incidents.

Overall, creating a list of custom URLs to block with Umbrella is a simple and effective way to enhance your organization’s security posture. By taking advantage of Umbrella’s powerful features, you can protect your users and data from a wide range of threats.