DNSFilter

DNSFilter provides cloud-based, AI-driven DNS filtering, content filtering and threat protection. Its service inspects Domain Name System requests made on a customer's network against DNSFilter threat feeds and customer-defined policy settings; requests to malicious or blocked domains are diverted before the connection is established, protecting any device that relies on DNS, including servers, computers, printers and tablets. Deployment requires no hardware or proxies: customers point network DNS forwarders at DNSFilter or install a lightweight Roaming Client on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and ChromeOS devices so that policy follows users off-network.

The platform's capabilities include content filtering across dozens of categories with SafeSearch and customizable allow/deny lists (up to 15,000 domains per filtering policy), threat blocking for malware, phishing, botnets and cryptomining, Malicious Domain Protection that scores hostnames with machine learning to catch zero-day and newly registered domains, AppAware one-click application blocking covering more than 400 SaaS applications, Universal block/allow lists, DNSSEC, single sign-on, Insights Reporting dashboards with CSV/PDF export and raw log streaming to Splunk, Elastic and Amazon S3, and data export with SIEM integration. CyberSight, launched as a behavioral analytics and intelligence capability, surfaces shadow IT and SaaS spend. Integrations include PSA platforms used by MSPs (ConnectWise, Autotask, Halo, Syncro, Kaseya BMS), Rewst, Zapier, CrowdStrike and an open API with webhooks.

Use cases span business networks, hybrid and remote workforces, guest and public Wi-Fi in cafés, hotels, churches and short-term rentals, public transit wireless networks, retail, and education, where the service is positioned to help schools meet CIPA requirements. DNSFilter works with US and UK governmental organizations on threat data and applies Internet Watch Foundation and Project Arachnid filtering for all customers.

Founding story

DNSFilter was founded in October 2015 by CEO Ken Carnesi and Chief Architect Brian Gillis, who considered existing DNS security products overpriced, outdated or ineffective and set out to build a filter Carnesi would trust for himself and his clients. The company started with three people and chose a literal name describing the product: filtering DNS requests to separate good from bad.

Business model

Subscription software-as-a-service sold directly to enterprises and small businesses and through a managed service provider partner channel, with free trials, guided product tours and demos as entry points. In 2026 the company added an OEM program offering three partnership models that let ISPs, security vendors and device makers embed DNSFilter's DNS-layer protection and encryption under their own brands, supported by a developer sandbox and API.

Paid subscriptions to the DNSFilter platform, with tiers for enterprise and small business, MSP partner distribution, and OEM licensing of its DNS protection to third-party products.

Traction

As of the current website, DNSFilter reports more than 57,000 organizations protected, over 6,000 MSP partners, 235 million threats blocked daily and 200 billion daily queries. At the September 2023 Series A extension the company reported over 150 employees worldwide, more than 27 million monthly end users and nearly 30,000 organizations. At the July 2021 Series A it reported over 14,000-15,000 brands and 4 million end users. Its about page cites a first customer in 2016 and a first investor in 2017.

Latest developments

Recent announcements include the launch of CyberSight, a behavioral analytics and intelligence capability within the DNSFilter platform; a July 2026 OEM program allowing ISPs, security vendors and device makers to embed DNSFilter's DNS-layer protection and encryption in their own products; a new MSP partner program; publication of the 2025 Annual Security Report; and survey findings on gaps between executive and practitioner confidence in AI-related cyber resilience, including a 32.5% shadow-AI incident rate and 40% of organizations reporting a security incident tied to a third-party SaaS or AI tool in the prior 12 months. Three DNSFilter employees were named to CRN's 2026 Women of the Channel list.