Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB Reviews

Name: Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB
Brand: Palo Alto Networks
Rating: 4.1 (10 reviews)

4.1 out of 5

10 reviews
100% willing to recommend

What is Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB?

Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB is an advanced URL filtering solution that provides a way to control web access, as well as how users interact with online content. With this solution, your organization can prevent credential phishing theft by assuming strict control over which sites users can enter their corporate credentials into. Palo Alto Networks Advanced URL Filtering with PAN-DB provides web protection by using URL database capabilities to help you automatically detect and prevent new malicious and targeted web-based threats instantly.

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Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB is the #12 ranked solution in top Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software. PeerSpot users give Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB an average rating of 8.2 out of 10. Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB is most commonly compared to Darktrace: Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB vs Darktrace. Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 61% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a financial services firm, accounting for 14% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB

March 2025

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Featured Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB reviews

Ankar Aung

Student at a educational organization with 201-500 employees

I usually just deploy the firewall. I use URL filtering with PAN-DB, and it is category-based filtering. As long as I have a PAN-DB license, I get regular updates from Palo Alto, which allows me to perform filtering using wildcard URLs and category bases. I also deal with Palo Alto DLP or URL…

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reviewer2519496

Owner at a tech services company with 1-10 employees

The main limitation is that it needs a live Internet connection for ongoing updates. URL filtering may not be necessary without Internet connectivity, as you wouldn't be accessing URLs. It's important to note that URL filtering itself doesn't require a separate license. The license you purchase grants access to the URL database and category mappings. If you're comfortable creating and managing your categories, you can use URL filtering without a subscription. Many of the employees, particularly in first-tier customer support, lack experience. This often results in repetitive questions and strict adherence, even if you have completed several steps. The biggest differentiator is its integration with WildFire. When a Palo Alto user worldwide submits a new file to the sandbox for evaluation, antivirus signatures, and URL database entries are automatically generated and propagated if the file is found malicious. While competitors aim to achieve similar results, they have not yet reached the same execution level as Palo Alto.

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Michael Velasco

Consultant at a tech services company with 11-50 employees

One of the less favorite features is the cost of the solution. For example, ~5K for a PA-820 AND ~$1K EACH *per year* for Premium Support, Threat Prevention, and PANDB URL filtering. We also implement other solutions. We tell customers that if they want to have the best possible perimeter security, they're going to have to pay for it. Some smaller entities don't have the budget for it, so we'll suggest Fortinet or something that has similar but inferior capabilities, but is less expensive.

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Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB mindshare

As of March 2025, the mindshare of Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB in the Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) category stands at 2.5%, down from 4.5% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)

PeerAnalyst reports based on Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)	Mar 26, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Mar 26, 2025	Download
Comparison	Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB vs Darktrace	Mar 26, 2025	Download
Comparison	Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB vs Vectra AI	Mar 26, 2025	Download
Comparison	Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB vs Check Point IPS	Mar 26, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Darktrace	4.1	19.5%	94%	77 interviews Add to research
Vectra AI	4.3	11.5%	97%	44 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB provides easy management of blacklists and whitelists, effective URL categorization, and credential phishing protection. It integrates seamlessly with firewalls and WildFire, ensuring real-time malware defense. Users find it easy to configure and analyze data via CSV downloads. The tool does not require frequent manual updates due to automatic URL categorization. It's designed to function extensively in a single device, enhancing security efficiency.

"The URL categories are updated by Palo Alto Networks itself."
"I do not have to use additional security solutions to block the URLs, as PAN-DB and URL filtering are both powerful tools when it comes to security."
"It provides visibility and control over where people are web browsing and protects them from going to malicious sites."

Room for Improvement

Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB requires improvement in categorization granularity and sandboxing options. Users express concerns about its cost, lack of performance monitoring, and need for a live Internet connection. They find technical support slow and inexperienced, and integration with ELK stack challenging. Users prefer a standalone URL filtering option and desire better scalability and compatibility without the need for a firewall.

"Customer service is sometimes inconsistent. Some engineers are very knowledgeable, while others cannot answer questions and delay solutions."
"Some software management-wise scalability features need improvement."
"The main limitation is that it needs a live Internet connection for ongoing updates."

Pricing

Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB has received mixed feedback on pricing. Licensing fees are annual and considered expensive, rated high in cost compared to competitors. While it is more costly than ASA, it is cheaper than Checkpoint, positioned in the middle range. Prices have significantly increased, especially impacting markets like K-12 education. Despite high costs, many users perceive the product's quality as worth the investment, though some note the rising prices leading to potential loss of business.

"Expensive, but that's because it provides everything."
"It is more expensive than ASA but is far cheaper than Checkpoint. So, pricing wise, it is right in the middle."

Popular Use Cases

Companies use Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB primarily for internal and external web security, ensuring access restrictions to malicious or inappropriate sites. It is often deployed in cloud environments via firewalls, aiding in HR policy enforcement and ensuring safe web browsing practices. It is valuable in diverse sectors like automotive and government, providing category-based filtering and regular updates to enhance control and visibility over internet traffic.

Service and Support

Technical support for Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB varies. Some express satisfaction, finding it reliable with quick initial responses. Others mention the absence of direct technical assistance due to internal issue handling. There are suggestions for a support model akin to Cisco's to enhance response times in high-pressure situations. Users describe inconsistency in customer service, noting variable engineer expertise, affecting question resolution and response speed.

Deployment

Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB's initial setup is generally straightforward and simple. Many users find it uncomplicated, requiring minimal configuration. In some cases, the setup is completed by small teams quickly, often within five minutes. Some users mention the ability to set up in monitor mode for specific restrictions. While mostly easy, deploying with a firewall can take longer for detailed projects, ranging from one to three days for single-site deployments.

Scalability

Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB scales well, primarily depending on firewall throughput. It supports various firewall capacities, ensuring scalability across different user bases. The system allows independent lookup by each firewall, making it scalable with increased deployments. While no major scalability issues arise, optimizing management, especially in cloud environments, can enhance performance. Users find scalability effective with proper configuration and maintenance, with performance depending on available bandwidth.

Stability

Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB demonstrates excellent stability. Users report it as incredibly stable with no major glitches or crashes. Any minor issues usually have quick fixes. Alerts about potential bugs are frequent, ensuring proactive management. Occasionally, the management plane exhibits slowness, but it does not affect the data plane. Users find it stable, though virtualization might need adjustments. URL filtering is generally reliable without impacting operations.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

14%

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

University

Healthcare Company

Government

Retailer

Non Profit

Construction Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Insurance Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Educational Organization

Media Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Comms Service Provider

Transportation Company

Legal Firm

Consumer Goods Company

Performing Arts

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Outsourcing Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Logistics Company

Compare Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB with alternative products

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Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB Features

Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB has many valuable key features. Some of the most useful ones include:

Inline protection: Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB provides inline protection from new malicious web pages by using machine learning to detect and block new threats in milliseconds.

Anti-evasion: Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB analyzes live web content, disrupting attackers and identifying the true nature of malicious sites hiding behind evasive techniques.

Phishing protection: By using Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB, you can spot phishing pages instantly and accurately before they destroy your network.

URL database: Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB has a URL database that maintains hundreds of millions of known malicious and benign URLs categorized through a combination of static, dynamic, machine learning, and human analysis.

Criteria matching: With this feature, you can designate multiple policy action types based on URL categories or criteria.

Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB Benefits

There are many benefits to implementing Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB. Some of the biggest advantages the solution offers include:

Eliminates security silos: Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB gets rid of security silos so you can attain proper security posture and keep users safe.

Cloud native: Because Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB is cloud native, it enables you to easily expand and scale capabilities when necessary.

Minimizes operational expenditure: By reducing the need for standalone solutions, Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB helps your organization decrease operational expenditures.

Safeguards against phishing: Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB enables you to stop credential phishing attempts by offering layers of prevention to protect your organization from known and brand-new phishing sites.

Consistent security policies and capabilities: With Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB, you can deploy advanced URL filtering with hardware appliances, on virtual environments, or in the cloud with the same set of policies and security consistently applied.

Increased detection: Detect evasive and targeted attacks by detecting real web traffic and not web crawler data.

Reviews from Real Users

Below are some reviews and helpful feedback written by PeerSpot users currently using the Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB solution.

Consultant Michael V. says, “What I really like about PAN and what makes it a worthwhile solution is that rather than having an administrator constantly updating a list of prohibited URLs, you can do it by categories. Every one of these URLs gets meta-tagged as hate speech or antisemitic or pornography, or whatever it is, and when you set up the filter everything that's prohibited by HR policy is there. I don't have to maintain anything, it catches everything.”

PeerSpot user Darshil S., Consultant at a tech services company, mentions, “The multiple categorizations of URLs are quite helpful. For example, if a URL is a social media website, such as facebook.com, it can be classified at a certain risk level - from high to low.”

Karthikeyan S., Sr. Cloud Data Architect at Sun Cloud LLC, explains, "Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB is easy to use, easy to operate, and easy to edit."

Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB was previously known as Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering PAN-DB.