Palo Alto Networks Advanced URL Filtering
Browse safely: detect web-based threats faster and more accurately with ML and AI, and stop phishing attacks at the first click.
Web-based attacks are on the rise
The internet is essential for business growth, but web-based attacks are also among the most common and effective attack methods. Phishing uses fake pages to steal credentials, ransomware encrypts systems and halts business continuity, and automated attacks run through botnets target your resources.
Why traditional web security falls short
Traditional solutions rely on static databases of known threats and cannot detect new attacks. According to Palo Alto Networks data, malicious web pages grew by 127% between 2019 and 2021, and 40% of malicious URLs come from legitimate domains. Because URLs frequently turn from benign to malicious, a solution that does not analyse them continuously leaves you exposed.
Real-time threat detection with Advanced URL Filtering
Using integrated cloud-based machine learning, Advanced URL Filtering analyses real web traffic rather than crawler data, classifying and blocking malicious URLs within milliseconds and preventing “patient zero” infections. The ML models are retrained frequently to stay current against new web-based threats.
- Real-time URL analysis: instantly detects known and unknown malicious URLs.
- Phishing protection: uncovers hidden threats with live content analysis and deep image analysis.
- Cloud-based threat intelligence: fed by Palo Alto Networks’ global intelligence network.
- Defence in depth: a threat that gets past one layer is stopped by the next.
- Easy management: integrated with the NGFW, with central policy management from one platform.
Protection against evasion tactics
Most phishing kits sold on the dark web include at least one evasion technique. The most common, cloaking, shows harmless content to scans coming from security vendors’ IP addresses so that offline crawlers are bypassed. Advanced URL Filtering analyses live web content and reveals the true nature of these sites.
Who needs it most?
- Enterprise networks: organisations handling sensitive data, such as finance, healthcare and government.
- Education: online safety for students and staff.
- E-commerce: protecting customer information and financial transactions.
Integrations
Advanced URL Filtering works with Palo Alto Networks NGFWs and Prisma Access, and strengthens your overall security posture alongside SIEM and other security tools. For technical details see the Palo Alto Networks documentation; for a free trial or a quote, get in touch with us.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Advanced URL Filtering and standard URL Filtering?
Standard URL Filtering relies on a database of categorised URLs. Advanced URL Filtering additionally analyses never-before-seen web pages on live traffic in real time with cloud-based ML, blocking phishing and malicious sites within milliseconds.
Does Advanced URL Filtering block phishing attacks?
Yes. It detects and blocks phishing pages with real-time web content analysis, deep image analysis and live inspection that defeats evasion techniques such as cloaking.
Which products does it work with?
It integrates with Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls (PA, VM and CN-Series) and Prisma Access; logs can be forwarded to SIEM and other security tools.
Talk to our experts about your Palo Alto Networks project
A new deployment, a firewall migration or a support contract: tell us what you need and we will map out the right path with a free initial assessment.