Software scans endpoints for protections

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: TIM GREENE ON VPNS
08/30/05
Today's focus: Software scans endpoints for protections

Dear security.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* Panda Software's VPNSecure
* Links related to VPNs
* Featured reader resource
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by SonicWall
Complete Network Protection Made Simple

SonicWALL(r) TotalSecure protects you today by providing
all-in-one network protection against threats including viruses,
spyware, worms, Trojans, adware and keyloggers. TotalSecure will
also protect you tomorrow with dynamically updated signatures to
defend your network from the latest in Internet threats. It is
simple to install and manage, saving you money.
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=111517
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TROUBLE IN PARADISE?

As technologies such as VoIP emerge to advance networks, many
believe the tools to manage them are falling behind. Traditional
management software models simply can't keep up with the rate of
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_______________________________________________________________

Today's focus: Software scans endpoints for protections

By Tim Greene

Many VPN vendors make their own software to check that remote
computers meet corporate security profiles before they are
allowed access to the VPN. This is a sound practice, but there
are some vendors who don't, and if you are a customer of one of
these, you might want to consider a new offering from Panda
Software.

Panda's VPNSecure software runs on computers to scan them for
anti-virus software, a firewall and whether they are running
processes that indicate a worm or other malware is at work. If
the machines flunk, they don't get access until they pass.

Panda's software blocks suspected malicious processes on a
machine, so even if it is infected with a worm, for example, the
machine might gain entrance to the VPN once VPNSecure has
blocked the worm.

This is a natural extension of what Panda already does, namely
sell security software that is "anti" just about everything -
virus, spam, spyware, phishing. Now it reports on whether these
protections are guarding potential VPN endpoints.

Panda also addresses another issue that doesn't get a lot of
attention: split tunneling. That's when a remote computer
accesses a VPN and at the same time maintains a connection to
the Internet at large. The perceived danger here is that the
machine is open to takeover by another Internet-connected device
while it is linked to the corporate network, thereby leaving the
whole network vulnerable.

It's debatable how much of a threat this actually poses, but the
ability to turn split tunneling on and off is a feature of many
IPSec VPN clients. Having it as part of VPNSecure can extend
this feature to SSL VPN endpoints, which can operate with
standard Web browsers and without dedicated VPN software to
block split tunneling.

For those interested in giving this new product a try, prices
are determined by how many end users are being protected. A
26-user license costs $1,100 for a year. Price per license drops
with longer contracts and more end users.

The top 5: Today's most-read stories

1. Google dives deeper into networking
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlvpn6101>

2. 2005 salary survey
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlvpn4036>

3. Intel-Cisco deal may be big for Wi-Fi
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlvpn6102>

4. VoIP season about to heat up
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlvpn6103>

5. Cisco aims to simplify switch mgmt.
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlvpn6104>

Today's most-forwarded story:

Google dives deeper into networking
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlvpn6105>

_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Tim Greene

Tim Greene is a senior editor at Network World, covering virtual
private networking gear, remote access, core switching and local
phone companies. You can reach him at <mailto:tgreene@nww.com>.
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by SonicWall
Complete Network Protection Made Simple

SonicWALL(r) TotalSecure protects you today by providing
all-in-one network protection against threats including viruses,
spyware, worms, Trojans, adware and keyloggers. TotalSecure will
also protect you tomorrow with dynamically updated signatures to
defend your network from the latest in Internet threats. It is
simple to install and manage, saving you money.
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=111516
_______________________________________________________________
ARCHIVE LINKS

Breaking VPN news from Network World, updated daily:
http://www.networkworld.com/topics/firewalls.html

Archive of the VPN newsletter:
http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/vpn/index.html
_______________________________________________________________
Webcast - Embracing open networking and controlled security

Achieving the dual objectives of open networking and controlled
security requires a precise balance of products, practices and
policies. But that goal is achievable. Learn how, watch "IT
Security Without Compromise".
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=111543
_______________________________________________________________
FEATURED READER RESOURCE
IT STAFF SHORTAGE LOOMING

Outsourcing. Automation. Downsizing. The industry has been awash
in unemployed IT pros. But experts are now predicting an IT
staffing crunch is just around the corner, and the implications
for U.S. technology innovation are sobering. What might be
causing the shortage and what might need to be done to prevent
it? Click here:
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlvpn5897>
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