Latest Mobile and Wireless Security News

New version of SmoothWall Guardian incorporates SSL Interception to control and monitor encrypted traffic
posted on 10/04/2009

The problem with SSL is that despite the certificate system, not all sites that use the protocol can be automatically trusted. Organisations can end up in a tricky position if critical data is compromised via webmail accounts – or if an employee does or says something they shouldn’t using an encrypted proxy network or a secure IM client like GoogleTalk. More risks lie in the fact that standard security solutions rarely work on encrypted traffic - so viruses can use SSL to worm their way into networks undetected. By travelling into networks via the same secure tunnels that are used for online banking, malware and other web nasties are rendered virtually invisible and can effectively sidestep security by disguising themselves as ‘trusted’ traffic. According to Netcraft, in the last year the number of websites using SSL encryption has risen by nearly 40% and now totals well over two million. In addition to the obvious applications (i.e. online retail, banking and gambling) SSL encryption... [more]

Majority of consumers use the same one or two passwords for all Websites
posted on 10/04/2009

Gartner recently surveyedUS online adults regarding consumer internet security and fraud issues, and ascertained their interest in various ways to manage passwords for online authentications. The results remained consistent with previous years' survey findings that show consumers prefer convenience when it comes to security features. Although consumers claim to be concerned about security, they have little tolerance for sacrificing convenience to safeguard that security, according to Gartner Inc. Despite widespread security concerns, consumers continue to rely on service providers to protect their safety and persist in using unsafe password management practices, preferring to maintain the status quo rather than exploring new security methods. While the data collected focused on the use and management of passwords, Gartner believes that it has implications for consumer-facing internet sites requiring authentication and for the use of user-centric identity frameworks. While the survey ... [more]

Mobility jeopardises business security
posted on 09/04/2009

The demands of the modern workforce are changing rapidly. It’s now a mobile business world, laptops now outsell desktops, wireless is outpacing wired and your average smartphone can do almost anything. Not so long ago - when businesses were solely run out of an office - it was easy for employers to keep track of their staff and know that everything from the stationary to their confidential information was kept under one roof. Nowadays, staff can work wirelessly and remotely, business is global and employees expect to work with a myriad of different appliances and gadgets – many of which are capable of storing anything from customer databases to family albums. The trouble with all this mobility is that it’s not secure. The standard anti-virus and network access control is not enough nowadays. Mobility, in all its weird and wonderful forms, jeopardises business security - and it’s a growing problem. Recent research has revealed that UK companies trail behind those in Germany and ... [more]

Network Defence protects North Tyneside Council users from malicious content
posted on 09/04/2009

North Tyneside Council has improved network security by deploying a real-time web security solution from Network Defence, to protect over 2700 users from malicious content and safeguard its system from web-borne threats. In addition the Council has also signed up to a managed service for 3 years to improve and maintain network security. The network-based appliance has been rolled out to protect and provide resilience against web-borne threats such as spyware, malware and trojans. The deployment is part of a rolling security programme North Tyneside is implementing to keep its users safe. Signing up to Network Defence’s managed service will also give the Council access to round-the-clock security management and technical support. David Matthews, senior infrastructure officer for North Tyneside Council said: “We required an all inclusive all eventualities scalable solution which would proactively identify and block unknown threats to our system and networks. Network Defence proposed a s... [more]

Khipu Networks protect Oxford University college networks against student misuse and access from unauthorised guests
posted on 07/04/2009

Khipu has deployed Bradford Networks’ Campus Manager (BCM) at Pembroke College and New College, which between them comprise more than 1000 students, enabling IT staff to control student access to the colleges’ existing fixed and wireless networks. Thanks to the deployment, students can now gain quick, easy and secure access to the internet as well as college network resources via their PCs, laptops and other mobile devices including iPod Touch and PDAs. Both colleges had previously faced challenges handling large volumes of student network registrations, particularly at the start of each university year. Pembroke College relied upon a resource-intensive manual process, which left many students waiting to be connected for several weeks. New College had a legacy system for registering devices; however this was for its wired network only, could not be updated and would only recognise a limited range of devices. The two colleges engaged with Khipu to help revamp their systems, and as ... [more]

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