Ways to setup forward lookup for Google and facebook in Zscaler & rest should be done via local DNS of company ?
What is IP Zscaler Use?
To check if a user’s traffic is directed to the Zscaler service, one can visit the website ip.zscaler.com on the user’s device. The My IP Address tab on this website provides information about the Zscaler cloud to which the device is sending traffic, as well as other connectivity-checking tools that may be used.
How do I find my Zscaler IP?
To locate the Virtual IP (VIP) addresses of Zscaler software installed on your device, you can access a specific URL: config.zscaler.com/<Zscaler Cloud Name>/cenr.
What is URL Filtering?
URL filtering is a security feature in Zscaler that enables organizations to block certain websites from loading on their network. When an employee tries to access a blocked URL, they will be redirected to a notification page informing them that the content is prohibited.
In cases where there is a URL Filtering policy rule that prohibits a website like www.youtube.com, but a Cloud App Control policy rule allows access to Youtube, users will still be able to access Youtube. This is because if a Cloud App Control policy rule permits the transaction, the URL filtering policy is not automatically enforced.
DNS inclusion and exclusion working Overview?
DNS inclusion and exclusion are essential features in Zscaler, a cloud-based security platform, as they enable administrators to manage domain names that are allowed or blocked for users.
By including certain domain names in the Zscaler platform, administrators can ensure that users have access to safe and necessary websites or services relevant to their work. In contrast, by excluding certain domain names, administrators can restrict access to malicious websites or those that are not needed for work purposes.
The DNS inclusion and exclusion feature can also help organizations enforce compliance with their policies. For instance, an organization might have a policy that prohibits access to social media sites, and can use DNS exclusion to block such sites for all users.
Overall, Zscaler’s DNS inclusion and exclusion feature is a powerful tool that enables administrators to regulate internet access, enforce security and compliance policies, while also providing a better user experience by enabling access to essential content
Below is example to understand it better
The Zscaler Client Connector follows a process to determine whether to allow or block a user’s request for a website.
Firstly, the Client Connector checks if the domain name is on the inclusion or exclusion list. If it is on the inclusion list, Zscaler handles the request, and the user can access the website. If it is on the exclusion list, access to the website is blocked.
In addition, the process also examines subdomains of a domain. For instance, if “youtube.com” is on the inclusion list, requests for subdomains like “abc.youtube.com” or “xyz.youtube.com” will also be allowed.
If a domain is not directly included or excluded in the domain inclusion or exclusion list, the Zscaler Client Connector considers the Z-Tunnel2.0 IP Destination Inclusion/Exclusion lists. It looks at the IP address that the domain resolves to and checks whether it is on the inclusion or exclusion list. If the IP address is on the inclusion list, the request is allowed. However, if it is on the exclusion list, access to the website is blocked. This step provides an additional layer of security.
In summary, the Zscaler Client Connector uses the domain inclusion and exclusion lists to decide whether to allow or block a user’s request for a website. If a domain is not directly included or excluded, it also checks the IP address that the domain resolves to for further decision-making.
zscaler source ip anchoring
Policies for Source IP Anchoring in Zscaler allow companies to direct traffic processed by ZIA to internal or external destination servers while maintaining the source IP address of their preference. This ensures that Zscaler protects the traffic and that the origin IP address is recognized as the company’s own. The traffic can be routed through the company’s intranet to internal destination servers or over the internet to destination servers outside of the organization.
Some cloud-based applications or web services restrict access to the internet based on the user’s source IP address, which must be a registered unique IP address owned by the company. If the traffic originates from a different IP address, such as one belonging to a Zscaler data center, the application will block access. Some applications also limit access to specific countries where Zscaler may not be present. In these scenarios, companies may bypass the Zscaler service and create a security breach or use Private Service Edge or Virtual Service Edge to address the issue.
To manage the source IP address for traffic routed to destination servers, companies can use Forwarding policies with Source IP Anchoring, Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) Application Connectors, and ZIA’s ZIA Admin Portal. These policies use ZIA and ZPA to forward selected application traffic to the proper destination servers using the company’s preferred App Connectors, while still utilizing Zscaler’s security and threat engines. More information on configuring Source VPN Anchoring can be found in the documentation.
FAQ
What is “ip.zscaler.com” and how is it used in network security?
Answer: “ip.zscaler.com” is a domain name that is used in Zscaler’s cloud-based internet security platform. It serves as a gateway through which all internet traffic is routed, enabling Zscaler to apply its security policies and protocols to the data.
How do I check if my organization is using “ip.zscaler.com” for internet security?
Answer: You can check whether your organization is using “ip.zscaler.com” for internet security by using a command prompt to run a ping test on the domain name. If the test returns a valid IP address, then your organization is likely using Zscaler for internet security.
What are some common issues that can arise with “ip.zscaler.com” and how can they be resolved?
Answer: Common issues that can arise with “ip.zscaler.com” include connectivity issues, slow internet speeds, and blocked access to certain websites or applications. These issues can be resolved by checking network settings and configurations, adjusting security policies, and ensuring that all software is up to date.
Can “ip.zscaler.com” be configured to work with different network infrastructures or is it limited to specific setups?
Answer: “ip.zscaler.com” can be configured to work with a wide variety of network infrastructures, making it a flexible solution for organizations of all sizes and types. Zscaler provides comprehensive documentation and support to help organizations customize their setups and optimize performance.
What is the purpose of forwarding policies that anchor source IP in Zscaler?
Answer: The purpose of forwarding policies that anchor source IP in Zscaler is to allow companies to direct their processed traffic to their preferred internal or external destination servers while ensuring that the origin IP address is the company’s preference. This helps to protect the traffic and maintain the company’s desired level of security.
How does source IP anchoring help in accessing cloud-based applications or web services?
Answer: Source IP anchoring helps access cloud-based applications or web services that limit access based on the source IP address used by the user. It allows companies to manage the source IP address for the traffic routed to the destination servers while bypassing the Zscaler service and creating a security breach.
What is the benefit of utilizing Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) Application Connectors with source IP anchoring policies?
Answer: Utilizing Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) Application Connectors with source IP anchoring policies allows companies to set guidelines with granularity on ZIA’s ZIA Admin Portal, which forwards selected traffic to ZPA via ZIA security and threat engines. This ensures only specific application traffic is sent to the proper destination servers using preferred App Connectors.
How can forwarding policies with source IP anchoring be configured in ZIA’s Admin Portal?
Answer: Forwarding policies with source IP anchoring can be configured in ZIA’s ZIA Admin Portal by using the ZIA and ZPA services to send specific application traffic to the preferred destination servers using App Connectors. The configuration guide can find more information on configuring source VPN anchoring policies.