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Palo Alto Networks DNS Security Reviews

Vendor: Palo Alto Networks
4.3 out of 5
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What is Palo Alto Networks DNS Security?

Palo Alto Networks DNS Security is a solution that can stop attackers from abusing DNS for malicious activities like data theft, command and control, phishing, and ransomware. The solution offers organizations automated protections, prevents attackers from bypassing security measures, and eliminates the need for independent tools.

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Palo Alto Networks DNS Security is the #3 ranked solution in top Domain Name System (DNS) Security solutions. PeerSpot users give Palo Alto Networks DNS Security an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. Palo Alto Networks DNS Security is most commonly compared to Cisco Umbrella: Palo Alto Networks DNS Security vs Cisco Umbrella. Palo Alto Networks DNS Security 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 13% of all views.
Buyer's Guide
Palo Alto Networks DNS Security
August 2025
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Palo Alto Networks DNS Security mindshare

As of August 2025, the mindshare of Palo Alto Networks DNS Security in the Domain Name System (DNS) Security category stands at 11.5%, down from 15.1% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Domain Name System (DNS) Security Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Palo Alto Networks DNS Security11.5%
Cisco Umbrella21.2%
Infoblox Advanced DNS Protection20.6%
Other46.699999999999996%
Domain Name System (DNS) Security

PeerResearch reports based on Palo Alto Networks DNS Security reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategoryDomain Name System (DNS) SecurityAug 29, 2025Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersAug 29, 2025Download
ComparisonPalo Alto Networks DNS Security vs Cisco UmbrellaAug 29, 2025Download
ComparisonPalo Alto Networks DNS Security vs Infoblox Advanced DNS ProtectionAug 29, 2025Download
ComparisonPalo Alto Networks DNS Security vs F5 BIG-IP DNSAug 29, 2025Download
Suggested products
TitleRatingMindshareRecommending
Cisco Umbrella4.421.2%97%121 interviewsAdd to research
Infoblox Advanced DNS Protection4.120.6%93%18 interviewsAdd to research
 
 
Key learnings from peers

Valuable Features

Palo Alto Networks DNS Security's most valued features include DNS filtering and anti-hacking capabilities. It supports real-time protection, scalability, and ease of deployment without altering architecture. The tool efficiently blocks malicious requests and provides insights into DNS queries. It defends against DNS tunneling, command and control traffic, and other DNS-based attacks. Features like DNSSEC, domain generation algorithm, and global gateway switching enhance security with minimal performance impact. The solution's stability and maturity are consistently praised.
  • "The most valuable features of DNS Security include its ability to protect against command and control traffic, anonymizers, newly registered domains, and DNS tunneling."
  • "The most valuable features of DNS Security include its ability to protect against command and control traffic, anonymizers, newly registered domains, and DNS tunneling."
  • "The solution's most valuable features are data exfiltration and DNS tunneling."

Room for Improvement

Palo Alto Networks DNS Security could benefit from cloud-based management, integration with Cisco Meraki, better handling of DNS look-up attacks, and built-in IDS and IPS. Users desire an on-premise option, improved scalability, and more competitive pricing. Email protection and DLP features are recommended, along with reducing false positives. Technical support requires enhancement, and clearer distinction between this and Advanced Threat Prevention licenses is needed. An agentless approach for easier integration is also suggested.
  • "I have found customer service to be quite problematic. The support is often outsourced, leading to delayed response times."
  • "Palo Alto should explore agentless approaches to integrate DNS Security more easily and efficiently."
  • "If the tool offers improved data security, I think it would be good."

ROI

Users reported a significant return on investment from Palo Alto Networks DNS Security. They experienced reduced risks and improved threat detection capabilities saving on incident response time. Enhanced visibility into DNS traffic helped prevent malicious domains access, improving network security posture. The automation features streamlined processes, resulting in lower operational costs. Overall, businesses saw financial benefits through efficiency gains and reduced exposure to potential security breaches.

Pricing

Palo Alto Networks DNS Security incurs annual licensing fees, with pricing generally viewed as above average and premium compared to competitors like Fortinet but on par with Cisco offerings. While some users consider it expensive, others find the costs justified by its features. Variability in perceptions of cost exists, partially influenced by organizational type and purchasing strategy. Support costs incrementally rise, making long-term licenses advantageous. Enterprises often pay a 20%-30% premium for its superior security solutions.
  • "If one is very cheap and ten is very expensive, I rate the tool's price as two."
  • "There aren't many vendors offering DNS security solutions, but generally, Palo Alto subscriptions tend to be more expensive than other security vendors."
  • "The solution's pricing is equal to Cisco AMP or Cisco Umbrella."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use Palo Alto Networks DNS Security for securing DNS and internet access across on-premise and remote environments. They deploy it for malware prevention, protection against command-and-control traffic, securing SaaS applications via DNS, filtering DNS data, and preventing DDoS attacks. Users leverage it for both internal and client network protection, allowing DNS traffic filtering to safeguard critical servers and user devices from threats like data exfiltration and newly registered domains. Subscription-based, it caters to those needing affordable DNS protection.

Service and Support

Palo Alto Networks DNS Security offers comprehensive documentation and mature support. Technical support is rated between seven to nine out of ten, with direct assistance being more reliable than distributor support. Users find the support team knowledgeable, though time zone discrepancies can affect response times. Some experience delays due to outsourced customer service, rating it five out of ten. Generally, they're satisfied with the support quality, noting improvements needed in response efficiency.

Deployment

Palo Alto Networks DNS Security's initial setup is widely considered straightforward and easy. Many find the setup simple, requiring only the activation of a subscription or license. Initial deployment often takes just minutes, though fully understanding the implementation may take longer. Users often rate the complexity as low, frequently scoring it a nine out of ten for ease. The process usually involves setting up a security profile and applying it to existing policies.

Scalability

Palo Alto Networks DNS Security is highly scalable, handling large user bases effortlessly. Many users report smooth integration, requiring minimal configuration adjustments. The shift towards cloud automation and virtualization is evident, enhancing scalability. Users range from small to large enterprises, showcasing flexibility in handling different demands. Feedback often rates its scalability between eight and nine out of ten, indicating high satisfaction levels among various businesses and institutions. Cloud architecture plays a vital role in reducing performance issues.

Stability

Palo Alto Networks DNS Security is largely considered stable and reliable. Many appreciate its robustness, with few reports of crashes or glitches. However, there are mixed ratings on stability, ranging from five to ten out of ten, indicating room for improvement, particularly regarding false positives and integration methods. Some users find alternatives like Cisco and Infoblox more stable. Despite this, many users remain satisfied with its capabilities.
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 DNS Security Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business4
Midsize Enterprise1
Large Enterprise8
By reviewers
By visitors reading reviews
Company SizeCount
Small Business117
Midsize Enterprise96
Large Enterprise337
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
13%
Computer Software Company
12%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Government
7%
Healthcare Company
6%
Insurance Company
5%
Comms Service Provider
5%
Performing Arts
4%
Educational Organization
4%
Retailer
4%
University
3%
Non Profit
3%
Energy/Utilities Company
3%
Media Company
3%
Construction Company
3%
Transportation Company
3%
Legal Firm
2%
Wholesaler/Distributor
2%
Real Estate/Law Firm
2%
Engineering Company
1%
Hospitality Company
1%
Recreational Facilities/Services Company
1%
Pharma/Biotech Company
1%
Outsourcing Company
1%
Consumer Goods Company
1%
Logistics Company
1%

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Palo Alto Networks DNS Security Features

Palo Alto Networks DNS Security has many valuable key features. Some of the most useful ones include:

  • Full protection: Palo Alto Networks DNS Security uses deep learning algorithms that predict and identify new and advanced threats to offer protection against sophisticated DNS-based attacks.
  • Comprehensive visibility: With the solution, you gain complete visibility into your organization’s blind spots to prevent attacks from exploiting your network and stealing your data.
  • Real-time prevention: The solution includes real-time analysis and can identify millions of malicious domains before an attack even happens.
  • Native integration with your NGFW (Next Generation Firewall): You don’t have to reroute your DNS traffic or work through lengthy change management processes to deploy the solution.
  • Category-based action: The solution allows you to create policies specific to DNS traffic types. All DNS queries are checked against Palo Alto’s scalable cloud database to determine appropriate enforcement actions.
  • SaaS Security: Palo Alto Networks DNS Security delivers integrated SaaS security that lets you see and secure new SaaS applications, protect data, and prevent zero-day threats at the lowest TCO.

Palo Alto Networks DNS Security Benefits

There are many benefits to implementing Palo Alto Networks DNS Security. Some of the biggest advantages the solution offers include:

  • Saves time and money: The solution helps you reduce costs and extend your NGFW investment by saving time in operations with a single coordinated network security stack for all alerts, policies, rule violations, IDPS, web security, malware analysis, and DNS.
  • Uninterrupted security innovations: Palo Alto Networks DNS Security seamlessly adds new detection, prevention, and analytics capabilities without requiring reconfiguration.
  • Optimized security posture: The solution’s Security Analytics dashboard ensures protection for NGFWs with significant DNS traffic.

Reviews from Real Users

Palo Alto Networks DNS Security is a solution that stands out when compared to many of its competitors. Some of its major advantages are that it has remarkable anti-hacking features, excellent stability, provides valuable insights, and has good DNS filtering.

A Senior Technical Project Manager at a university explains why he likes the solution: “They have anti-hacking features which are quite useful. They have virus protection within the firewall. The stability is excellent and the product is very mature.”

Others express how the solution has been valuable in providing insights. A Network Engineer at an educational organization says, “We can actively see how many thousands of malicious requests have gotten knocked down in the last day or week that we didn't know about before.”

“The solution has good DNS filtering, is scalable, and highly-integrated,” mentions a Group Network Specialist at a financial services firm.

Related questions

  • 145
Which product do you prefer: Cisco Umbrella or Palo Alto Networks DNS Security?
  • 39
Which solution is better: Cisco Umbrella or Palo Alto Networks DNS Security?
  • 9
When evaluating DNS Security, what aspect do you think is the most important to look for?
  • 12
Why is Domain Name System (DNS) Security important for companies?
  • 26
What DNS security tool do you recommend?
  • 19
Why is domain name system security important?
  • 23
How does Infoblox stand out when compared to other solutions like Cisco Umbrella and Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud?
  • 46
How can I connect MEGA HOPEX to a domain using an active director?
  • 17
Which Linux OS solution is better for running DNS software for a telecom company?

Product Categories

Product Categories
Domain Name System (DNS) Security

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Palo Alto Networks DNS Security Reviews Summary
Author infoRatingReview Summary
Global Network Tech Lead at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees4.0I use Palo Alto Networks DNS Security to protect against command and control traffic and newly registered domains. Its valuable features include integration with firewalls via subscription, but improvements are needed in pricing and agentless integration to enhance user-friendliness and efficiency.
Senior Consultant at Systems Limited4.5I use Palo Alto Networks DNS Security for enhancing our internal DNS protection and blocking malicious queries. However, it needs improvement in reducing false positives as it sometimes blocks legitimate traffic, necessitating manual interventions for custom application whitelisting.
Engineer at Exclusive Networks4.5I use Palo Alto Networks DNS Security to protect my enterprise network, valuing its data exfiltration and DNS tunneling features. However, better data security and clearer distinctions from Advanced Threat Prevention licenses are needed for improved usability.
Security Consultant at Airpel4.0We use Palo Alto Networks DNS Security to safeguard our DNS data from threats without blocking all DNS traffic. The solution effectively filters DNS-based attacks, but could improve DLP capabilities and be more cost-competitive with rivals like Infoblox and Cisco Umbrella.
Project Manager, Finance IT at Sun Hung Kai & Co. Limited3.5I use Palo Alto Networks DNS Security for mobile devices, laptops, and computers. Its valuable feature is the ability to switch gateways globally. However, DNS clients sometimes disconnect, which needs improvement for better reliability. No alternate or previous solutions were considered.
Network Security Engineer at Raya Integration4.0I find Palo Alto Networks DNS Security beneficial for customers needing affordable DNS protection. One valuable feature is the DNS sinkhole, which identifies compromised users by monitoring all DNS traffic. There are no noted areas needing improvement or alternate solutions considered.
Pre-Sales Engineer at eCam Solution Co., Ltd4.5In my company, Palo Alto Networks DNS Security is crucial for protecting critical servers and client organizations from attackers, utilizing features like DNSSEC. However, the high cost and slow technical support require improvement to justify its expense to customers.
Digital Infrastructure & Cybersecurity GTM Manager at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees4.5No summary available