Microsoft rolls out web content filtering through Defender ATP

Organisations can use the tool to block certain websites and website categories for an optimised bandwidth usage. Here is all you need to know.

Microsoft pushed a Settings app with the Windows 8 along with some basic options to customise the OS and set up your device. It kept the Control Panel separate for users looking for advanced features. (Bloomberg)

Microsoft has introduced web content filtering as part of the Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP). The feature will be available to all enterprise users for free. This essentially means enterprise users can use the feature without requiring any additional partner license.

According to Microsoft, web content filtering allows enterprises to track as well as regulate the website access depending upon their preference. The filter helps organisations to block websites that may not necessarily be malicious but add burden to the bandwidth or cause issues relating to compliance regulations.

The filter empowers admins to block certain categories of websites. For categories not blocked, Microsoft gives the option to gauge the usage and device a policy accordingly. It can also help organisations to narrow down filters to certain elements on a web page that may be overburdening the bandwidth.

“For any category that's not blocked, they are automatically audited i.e. your users will be able to access the URLs without disruption and you will continue to gather access statistics to help create a more custom policy decision. If an element on the page you're viewing is making calls to a resource which is blocked, your users will see a block notification,” said Microsoft on its support page.

To get started with Windows' Defender ATP web content filtering tool, you need to have Windows 10 Enterprise E5 license, access to Defender Security Centre portal, devices updated to at least Windows 10 Anniversary Update (v1607).

The tool is said to be compatible with all major web browsers. The blocks are performed using SmartScreen on its Edge browser. For Chrome and Firefox, it leverages Network Protection.