WHAT IS URL FILTERING?

What is URL Filtering?

URL filtering is blocking/allowing web traffic based on URL categories (malware, phishing, adult content, social media, file sharing, etc.). Used by enterprises, ISPs, parental controls, government censorship.

Methods

Blacklist: Block known-bad URLs. Reactive, incomplete (new phishing daily).

Whitelist: Allow only approved URLs. Restrictive, used in secure environments.

Category-based: Categorize URLs by domain reputation, machine learning. Allow/block categories.

Evasion

Proxies bypass URL filtering: route traffic through proxy → proxy fetches URL → user receives content. ISP/corporate filter sees proxy URL, not target. This is why enterprises block proxy usage.

Implications for Scraping

If target site uses URL filtering on output (blocking proxy IPs), rotating residential/mobile proxies helps. Datacenter proxies more likely on blacklists.