We don’t often take to the blog to talk about some of the more advanced OpenDNS Enterprise security features, like our malware and botnet protection, but we know a lot of organizations rely on them to keep their networks secure. Today, I’d like to talk a little more about how our malware and botnet protection works, and why we’ve started seeing so many organizations move to OpenDNS Enterprise primarily for that added layer of internet security.
As with all of the advanced functionality OpenDNS has built atop our superfast recursive DNS service for businesses and schools – like the Web content filtering, phishing protection, and stats available in OpenDNS Enterprise — our malware and botnet protection innovates on traditional offerings, and it works on any device connected to the network (including, say, an iPad that an employee brought from home).
OpenDNS blocks malware and botnet attacks before they can infect a network. We aren’t terminating an existing malicious connection, or cleaning up a breach that’s already occurred; as soon as OpenDNS sees an attempted connection to a malicious domain or IP address, we block it. A side benefit is that if an infected device is brought on to a protected network, OpenDNS can make sure that the infection doesn’t spread to other connected devices on the network if they do so via external command and control.
OpenDNS Dashboard Malware Notice
If you’re wondering why this matters: when Vanderbilt University switched to OpenDNS Enterprise in 2010, they blocked 1.5 million malware attacks in the first four months following the deployment. That’s 1.5 million potential data leaks thwarted, and 1.5 million device cleanups avoided.
It’s certainly something to think about, as the threat of malware and botnet attacks continues to escalate. If you don’t have any malware or botnet protection for your organization, or you’re thinking about adding another layer of protection to your network, consider trying out OpenDNS Enterprise as your first line of defense.
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