Overview
URL Filter Service is a free internet filtering service for Windows machines. It works with a wide range of internet accessible applications in addition to basic browsers. It can operate on several different technological levels to provide comprehensive security for your computer and network. If you’re looking for a free solution to restricting access to different URLs and domains, then URL filter service might be the solution you’ve been looking for.
Pros
One of the best things about URL Filter Service is that it can work at the local level and the DNS level. This gives it a tremendous amount of power and flexibility in order to prevent your network from coming under attack from harmful websites and technologies.
URL Filter Service’s local operating mode is called Man in the Middle. It filters code and processes in order to protect your computer. The service works to filter code and detours specific network API calls. This can protect your device from dangerous operations hidden within apps. This helps set URL Filter Service apart from the rest of the filtering services on the market as they usually only focus on monitoring traffic that goes through a web browser.
The DNS mode that URL Filter Service uses is called DNS Sinkhole. It works like a DNS resolver on every network your system is exposed to. Moreover, it can be accessed remotely from any device running any kind of operating system. This gives URL Filter Service a level of compatibility that you don’t find in other internet filtering services.
Cons
There are some drawbacks when it comes to URL Filter Service. First, the service is reasonably technical, so it’s not the best solution for casual internet users. You need to understand what you’re doing in order to get the most out of URL Filter Services.
Additionally, URL Filter Service doesn’t provide any kind of monitoring information, so it doesn’t work well as an internet accountability program. It works best for people concerned about what kind of data the different apps on their various devices are accessing.
Verdict
URL Filter Service is excellent at what it does, but its applications are extremely limited. Make sure that this is the sort of product you know how to use and are looking for before you install it and try and set it up. Failure to do so could result in serious complications for your internet connection. However, the free nature of the program should make it tempting for people who know what they’re doing.