NordLayer Reveals Top Website Categories Blocked by American Employers

Cybersecurity company NordLayer has disclosed that a significant majority of employers, 72%, actively block access to malicious and adult content websites to mitigate security threats and maintain workplace productivity. Additionally, 43% of employers restrict gambling websites, addressing concerns over potential addiction and productivity issues.

The practice of employing Domain Name System (DNS) filtering to block access to websites involved in phishing, cryptojacking, illegal activities, and DDoS as a Service (DaaS) helps employers shield their networks. Carlos Salas of NordLayer highlighted the critical role of DNS filtering in ensuring data security, regulatory compliance, and network integrity in the current cyber threat landscape.

To foster a professional work environment, employers also limit access to dating, sex education, and lingerie websites, with respective restrictions implemented by 30%, 28%, and 12% of employers. Moreover, 37% of IT managers block websites related to drug sales or information, and 21% restrict access to VPN services to prevent the bypassing of network restrictions.

Interestingly, American employers are comparatively less restrictive in their internet access policies than global averages, with only 62% blocking malicious sites and 57% restricting adult content. The tolerance extends to gambling, gaming, and social media websites, with lower percentages of U.S. businesses enforcing access limitations.

Contrasting with U.S. practices, Canadian employers exhibit different restriction patterns, with less concern over gambling but stricter controls on adult content, and more lenience towards dating, sex education, and lingerie websites.