Name: Sophos Web Content Filtering
Rating: 8.9 (17 reviews)
Author: Sophos

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### Email Security
Users find that Sophos Web Content Filtering's email security features effectively reduce the number of scam emails received, allowing them to focus on legitimate correspondence. The ability to quarantine suspicious emails and review them before taking action is seen as a valuable tool in preventing potential security threats. While some users note minor inconveniences with the platform's handling of specific email addresses and domains, overall, the consensus leans towards a positive experience with Sophos' email security functionalities. (Source Reviews: [1](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/sophos-web-content-filtering-2023-01-13-13-55-16))

### Web Filtering
Reviewers consistently praise Sophos Web Content Filtering for its robust web filtering capabilities, highlighting its effectiveness in blocking access to malicious and potentially harmful websites. Users find the system easy to configure and appreciate its flexibility in tightening or loosening restrictions based on specific requirements. Additionally, the integration with XG Firewall and HTTPS scanning features further enhance the overall security posture of organizations utilizing Sophos Web Content Filtering. (Source Reviews: [1](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/sophos-web-content-filtering-2023-01-13-13-55-16), [2](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/sophos-web-content-filtering-2023-01-17-03-58-53), [3](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/sophos-web-content-filtering-2023-01-13-10-07-23), [4](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/sophos-web-content-filtering-2023-01-14-10-06-32), [5](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/sophos-web-content-filtering-2023-01-12-14-15-36), [6](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/sophos-web-content-filtering-2023-01-13-08-38-20))

### Access Control
Users generally praise the access control capabilities of Sophos Web Content Filtering for its effectiveness in restricting access to websites with malicious, illegal, or inappropriate content. They appreciate the flexibility of the system, allowing them to define exceptions by departments or individuals. The ability to block access to specific websites based on predefined terms is highlighted as a valuable feature by reviewers. Additionally, the ease of setting up and managing access control policies is commended, with users noting that it plays a key role in enhancing cybersecurity measures within their organizations. (Source Reviews: [1](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/sophos-web-content-filtering-2023-01-17-03-58-53), [2](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/sophos-web-content-filtering-2023-01-14-10-06-32), [3](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/sophos-web-content-filtering-2023-01-13-10-07-23), [4](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/sophos-web-content-filtering-2023-01-13-13-55-16), [5](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/sophos-web-content-filtering-2023-01-13-08-38-20), [6](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/sophos-web-content-filtering-2023-01-12-14-15-36))

### Network Security
Users generally praise Sophos Web Content Filtering for its robust network security features. Reviewers consistently highlight the effectiveness of the solution in blocking access to websites based on specified terms, enhancing data security within organizations. While some users suggest room for improvement in cloud security and endpoint security aspects, the overall consensus is that Sophos Web Content Filtering excels in providing network security measures that help prevent data exfiltration and ensure secure network traffic. The solution's ability to optimize network bandwidth and enhance system security is widely appreciated by users, contributing to a decrease in security failures. (Source Reviews: [1](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/sophos-web-content-filtering-2023-01-13-10-07-23), [2](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/sophos-web-content-filtering-2023-01-12-14-15-36), [3](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/sophos-web-content-filtering-2023-01-14-10-06-32), [4](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/sophos-web-content-filtering-2023-01-13-08-38-20))

### Cloud Security
Users appreciate Sophos Web Content Filtering for its cloud security capabilities, particularly in safeguarding data and enhancing security in diverse environments. However, there are mixed opinions regarding its effectiveness compared to other cloud security solutions. Some users find it to be a reliable tool for securing cloud-based operations, while others feel that there is room for improvement in its cloud security features. (Source Reviews: [1](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/sophos-web-content-filtering-2023-01-12-14-15-36), [2](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/sophos-web-content-filtering-2023-01-14-10-06-32), [3](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/sophos-web-content-filtering-2023-01-13-10-07-23))

Quarantine of important emails: Some users have noted that Sophos has the tendency to initially quarantine important emails, which can be inconvenient and lead to delays in accessing critical information.

Time-consuming email allowance: Several reviewers have expressed their desire for a more streamlined process when allowing email communication. They suggest implementing an option to allow entire email domains instead of manually adding individual addresses, as it can be time-consuming and tedious.

Inefficiency in releasing email addresses: A few users have raised concerns about the inefficiency in releasing and allowing specific email addresses within Sophos. They find it frustrating that each member of their company has to individually allow the same address to their inbox, which results in redundant efforts and unnecessary complications.

Sophos Web Content Filtering offers a range of valuable features and use cases for organizations, making it a popular choice among IT managers and administrators. Users receive regular email notifications about quarantined emails, giving them the ability to release them or delete them, ensuring important messages are not missed. This feature has been praised by users for its effectiveness in reducing spam and scams.

The software also provides an additional layer of protection against nefarious email addresses by allowing users to block them. This feature has proven to be beneficial in safeguarding networks from potential threats. Sophos Web Content Filtering is widely used in both primary companies and local non-profit organizations, acting as a crucial protective layer for internet users.

Another important use case is web filtering, which prevents access to websites with malicious, pornographic, or illegal content. With the software's capabilities, users can easily restrict access based on specific configurations using lists of terms. It has been commended for its ability to effectively control web content and protect users from harmful websites.

Sophos security solutions, including web content control and endpoint security, have gained recognition for their effectiveness in enhancing cybersecurity measures for organizations. The software allows admins to easily add and remove policies, audit accessed sites, and block access for specific network groups. It plays a key role in implementing policies that restrict access to unsuitable websites or those posing cybersecurity risks.

Moreover, the software incorporates DNS blocking, which resolves only names via categories, minimizing false positives and enhancing web content control. Users have found the console straightforward to use, enabling straightforward administration of filters such as SSL filtering and the addition of custom categories.

Overall, Sophos Web Content Filtering proves to be a versatile and reliable solution for organizations seeking effective protection against email threats and internet risks.

Flexibility in email management options: Users have appreciated the ability to choose from various options for handling emails, such as releasing, deleting, blocking, or reporting them as spam. This flexibility allows users to effectively manage their inbox according to their preferences and needs.

Helpful warning labels for email security: Several reviewers found the presence of warning labels at the top of emails to be a beneficial feature. These labels clearly indicate whether an email is from a trusted sender or an external sender that may not be trusted. This helps users make informed decisions about which emails to block and enhances their email security.

Valuable daily quarantine emails: Some users find great value in receiving daily notifications detailing quarantined emails. They appreciate being informed about which emails have been quarantined and having the option to release or delete them. This feature helps users stay on top of their email management and ensures that important messages are not missed.

UK headquartered Sophos offers web content filtering.

WebTitan is the web security gateway and content filtering solution offered by TitanHQ.

WebTitan Gateway

TitanHQ DNS Filtering

Sophos Web Content Filtering

Web Content Filtering Solutions comprise appliances and software for censoring or preventing access to restricted web content deemed offensive or inappropriate.

Web Content Filtering

Likelihood to Recommend

Sophos evolves to meet every new challenge, protecting more than 400,000 organizations of all sizes in more than 150 countries from today’s most advanced cyberthreats. Powered by SophosLabs, our cloud-native and AI-enhanced solutions are able to adapt and evolve to secure endpoints and networks against never-before-seen cybercriminal tactics and techniques. Managed through our award-winning, cloud-based platform, Sophos Central, our best-of-breed products work together through our unique Synchronized Security system to share threat intelligence and respond to evolving threats. The Sophos suite of products secures networks and endpoints against automated and active-adversary breaches, ransomware, malware, exploits, data exfiltration, phishing, and more.

Sophos

Salesforce Sales Cloud

ZoomInfo Sales

ZoomInfo Engage

Salesforce CMS

Sales and Marketing Specialist

Sophos Web Content Filtering 2023-01-13 13:55:16

SonicWall TZ

Kaspersky Endpoint Security

WatchGuard Network Security

Trend Micro Web Security

Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services

IT Manager

Sophos Web Content Filtering 2023-01-12 14:15:36

Sophos Intercept X

DNSFilter

Sophos Intercept X for Server

Jefe de Proyecto

Sophos Web Content Filtering 2023-01-17 03:58:53

Azure App Service

Fusion Remote Access VPN

Microsoft Defender External Attack Surface Management

Qualys VMDR

Senior Systems Administrator

Sophos Web Content Filtering 2023-01-13 08:38:20

Sophos Web Content Filtering 2023-01-14 10:06:32

TrustRadius is a technology and business research firm based in Austin, Texas. The company is known as a review platform for verified B2B technology and software reviews through a proprietary algorithm and human verification.

TrustRadius

Initial setup

Smaller organizations

Restrict access

Social networking

Quite difficult

Difficult to configure

Web filtering

Ease of administration

Technical support

Content filtering

Application based

Home

Web Content Filtering Solutions

We use Sophos to filter out emails that may be spam or scams. We receive emails twice a day letting us know which emails have been quarantined, and we have the option to release them to our inbox or delete them from the platform entirely. We are also able to block email addresses that we know are nefarious.

Allowing options: I am able to choose from several different options (release, release and allow, delete, block, block and report to Spam)
Warning labels: emails have labels at the top to define if an email is from a trusted sender or the email is from an external sender and may not be trusted. I can block those emails, if I choose to
Quarantine emails: I appreciate the 2x daily emails detailing which emails have been quarantined, and if I would like to release them or delete them

Almost too good: Sophos may quarantine several emails at first that it doesn't know are important, but I am able to allow those email addresses to my inbox
Individual email addresses: sometimes I would like Sophos to allow email domains rather than specific addresses; if I have a few different people who email me from the same domain, I have to allow each individual address
Allowing email addresses throughout company: when I release and allow an email address, it just allows it to come to my inbox; each member of my company will have to go in and allow the same address to their inbox

Quarantine dashboard: I like visiting the quarantine dashboard to make my choice on what to do with the emails
Quarantine emails: it is nice to receive emails to let me know when emails have been quarantined
Labels: the warning labels on emails after I've released them, remind me to be careful with certain emails

Less wasted time: people aren't wasting time on an email if it's a scam anymore
Fewer scam emails: since I've been able to block emails, I receive fewer scam emails quarantined trying to steal money from the company
Spending time as I should: it allows me to focus time on real emails rather than trying to figure out if something is a scam

Salesforce CMS, ZoomInfo Engage, ZoomInfo SalesOS

I use Sophos Web Content Filtering on Sophos XG firewalls at my primary company of employment, as well as a local non-profit (school) I volunteer with. In both cases, we use the solution as one of the protective layers for Internet users. While we also use anti-x and EDR technologies to protect against threats, Sophos Web Content Filtering is an additive layer that also protects mobile and guest devices within our network.

Sophos does an excellent job of category-based content filtering. It's easy to configure and flexible for many environments with the ability to tighten or loosen restrictions as requirements determing.
Sophos' built-in capabilites can force safe search rules to protect against content work-arounds like Image search and search engines in general.
The Sophos XTreme architecture also helps improve the overall performance of the Web Content Filtering solution. It is very quick and very transparent when in use on the network.

While safe search enforcement in built-in and a useful tool (especially in environments where minors are to be protected), it is somewhat difficult to implement. Although documentation will easily walk one through setup, I suspect this will be remedied in upcoming releases of Sophos OS.

Content Filtering by Category
Integration with our XG Firewall
HTTPS scanning

Web Content Filtering is one of man layers in network security. The Sophos Web Content Filtering solution is SEAMLESS to our network and requires very little maintenance once configured properly and running.

Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services, WatchGuard Network Security, Kaspersky Endpoint Security, Trend Micro Web Security and SonicWall TZ

We use web filtering to prevent access to websites with malicious, pornographic or illegal content.

We could also only allow access to content related to the work to be performed by people.

You can also restrict access to websites whose content is in your configuration file, this has been done through a list of terms.

Restrict access to web pages with malicious content.
Restrict access to illegal websites.
Allow access to websites allowed in the company.

It only allows UTF-8 encoded characters.
It does not support metadata.
It does not support comments in the custom filter file.

Filtered by content or category.
Custom filtering.
Record of all user activity.

Increased productivity of employees by not being distracted so much.
Economic savings by preventing computers from being infected by viruses.
Better use of company resources.

Cisco Umbrella, Sophos Intercept X, Sophos Intercept X for Server

For our organization, Sophos security solutions for web content control, and endpoint security is an effective solution pairing. The Sophos integrated security solution allowed us to resolve users from venturing into unsafe web space, with use of DNS blocking (resolve only names via categories etc.) These features allow less false positives and better web content control for users to browse Internet searching with less fear of intrusion of unsafe web sites (non compliant).

Categorize content
Rules for exceptions
Custom error screens for end user

Adding of new categories to filter engines
Updates for known bad searches
Domain whitelist ordering

Preset categories for different organizations
Exceptions for groups
User activity monitoring

Reporting of suspicious activity and risky user/sites
Less web traffic efforts for overall security of users (along with Sophos Central)
Can add to overall protection cost for firewall initial purchase option

Webroot DNS Protection and Microsoft Defender External Attack Surface Management

Azure App Service, Qualys VMDR, Fusion Remote Access VPN

We use Sophos for Web Content Filtering by implementing policies to restrict access to websites that contain any of the terms listed that we deem not suitable for the workplace or that might pose a cybersecurity risk for our environment. It is pretty straightforward, and the Sophos Firewall takes care of the rest.

Impede access to NSFW pages
Avoid the risk of having to deal with potentially malicious websites
Block access to platforms that could facilitate Data Exfiltration
Pretty Straightforward. Set it and forget it, and from time to time tweak it.
Possibility of notification when there's an attempt.

I can't think of one. The product is pretty straightforward in this aspect.

ease of use
GUI
Simple and straightforward

Limit NSFW content
Avoid potentially malicious webpages
Limit access to platforms that facilitate data exfiltration

Sophos Web Content Filtering

Overview

What is Sophos Web Content Filtering?