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April 15, 2002
Keeping Your Technology Secure
By Michelle Thatcher
Curb theft, prevent hacker attacks, and detect viruses with these security tools.
The increasing pervasiveness of technology in schools comes with a bundle of concerns for educators and technicians charged with securing valuable equipment and information. More computers in schools-especially more mobile options such as laptops and handhelds-mean more worries about equipment theft and recovery.
At the same time, schools must balance user access to the external network with the protection of sensitive data in the internal network against outside intruders. Even if there is no particularly sensitive data stored digitally, schools must still secure their networks against viruses and hacker attacks designed to simply destroy files and damage systems.
The companies profiled below offer products to help address these security concerns in the technology-rich K-12 environment.
Anti-Theft
When a computer is connected to the Internet or a phone line, Computrace Plus from Absolute Software automatically tracks its IP address, telephone number, and additional data. Stolen computers are flagged in Absolute's database, and if a stolen computer connects to the Internet, recovery officers work with local law enforcement to take it back. $49.95.
Absolute Software, (800) 220-0733
Brigadoon Software's PC Phone Home tracks computers and laptops by sending you an e-mail every time the computer is connected to the Internet and assigned an IP address. When a stolen computer is connected to the Internet, the company locates the computer and works with police to help recover it. A freeware version of the Mac/Win program is available; a more secure version is $29.99.
Brigadoon Software, (845) 624-0909
Users can secure laptops against theft using Caveo Anti-Theft, a PC-MCIA card that functions independent of the operating system and works even when the computer is turned off. If an armed computer is moved beyond a distance specified by the owner, the system assumes theft and implements security responses. The Type II PC card is compatible with Windows 98, 2000, Me, and XP. $99.
Caveo Technology, (617) 576-7700
Network Level
Citadel Security offers several products for preventing and repairing network intrusions. WinShield Secure PC ($99) allows administrators to restrict access to files, prevent changes to system settings, and block installation of unauthorized software. NetOFF ($30) automatically logs unattended PCs off the network. Hercules (call for pricing) takes steps to fix network vulnerabilities. All programs are designed for Windows workstations and Windows or Novell servers.
Citadel Security, (800) 962-0701
Computer Associates' eTrust Defense Solution product line includes InoculateIT antivirus protection; Content Inspection for automatic detection and blocking of malicious code; Intrusion Detection for surveillance, URL blocking, and real-time response; and EZ Armor for secure home computing.
Computer Associates, (800) 225-5224
The RealSecure Protection System from Internet Security Systems addresses security concerns across networks, servers, and desktops. RealSecure Network Sensor detects and blocks hacker attacks, while Sentry recognizes and responds to suspicious behavior on any part of the network. RealSecure Server Sensor analyzes all network traffic for unauthorized activity, then blocks attacks or notifies system managers.
Internet Security Systems, (888) 901-7477
Windows-based Norton Internet Security 2002 Professional Edition is an integrated suite of programs to protect networks against viruses, hackers, privacy breaches, and interruptions to online productivity. Deny hacker access with Norton Personal Firewall, combat viruses with Norton AntiVirus, intercept suspicious connections through Norton Intrusion Detection, and filter distracting Internet content or banner ads with Norton Productivity Control. $99.95.
Symantec, (800) 441-7234
Titan from Flicks Software proactively protects Web servers by disabling a worm's or virus' ability to infect the server. Network administrators can set parameters and monitor all HTTP traffic over their networks, looking for suspicious query formats common to hackers. $395.
Flicks Software, (310) 526-0325
Education Editions from SonicWall bundle SonicWall firewall appliances with a subscription to the company's content filtering tools to help schools protect against Internet-based hackers as well as restrict student access to inappropriate Web sites. Installed at the network gateway, the Education Edition provides antivirus protection and filtering to all computers on the network from one location.
SonicWall, Inc., (888) 557-6642
Trend Micro's ScanMail program, available for a number of e-mail servers and applications, "detects and removes viruses from inbound and outbound e-mail in real time." At the desktop level, Trend Micro offers OfficeScan, an antivirus program that automatically updates virus definition files.
Trend Micro, (800) 228-5651
Desktop Level
PC DoorGuard intrusion scanner from Astonsoft identifies and deletes viruses running in memory. The software scans your PC every time you start up and checks all files downloaded from Internet Explorer, ICQ, and Outlook. $29.95, with educational and volume discounts available.
Astonsoft, (208) 694-4818
LuoSoft offers Iparmor 5.17 for Windows, which protects computers from virus attacks by scanning for known attackers. The program also monitors system and port activity to report any suspicious programs that may be running and allows users to view active network ports to check for unauthorized users. $29.95.
LuoSoft, (888) 282-5887
Panda Software has launched Panda Antivirus Titanium, which automatically detects and eliminates all types of viruses that may enter the computer through e-mail, Web browsing, or downloading Internet files. You can also send suspicious files to the company's virus laboratory for analysis and risk assessment. $24.95.
Panda Software, (818) 553-0599
ZoneAlarm 2.6 and ZoneAlarm Pro 2.6 repair basic Windows operating system vulnerabilities as well as recognize, block, and log hacker threats. Program elements include a firewall, an Application Control feature that lets users control which programs communicate with the Internet, and MailSafe e-mail attachment protection. ZoneAlarm: Free for personal and nonprofit use, $19.95 for business use. ZoneAlarm Pro: $39.95 single user.
Zone Labs, (415) 341-8200
Vexira Antivirus for Windows scans for viruses in real time without affecting productivity. When a virus is detected, Vexira Guard blocks access to infected files, stopping viruses from infecting shared resources. $49.95.
Central Command, Inc., (866) 243-8289
System Protection and Restoration
SoftClan Integrity 2 from CenturionSoft protects system and application files from being deleted or altered, and it prevents new applications from being installed on a system without the user's knowledge. $39.95.
CenturionSoft, (202) 293-5151
RestoreIT from Farstone instantly recovers files, system configuration, and operating systems after crashes, virus attacks, and user mistakes. Its boot-up-based interface allows users to restore computer files even when the operating system has failed. $39.95.
Farstone Technology, (949) 458-3666
Educators can use FoolProof Security to prevent users from deleting critical files and applications, making unauthorized changes to the desktop, saving unwanted programs, running disallowed programs, and corrupting the operating system. Compatible with Macintosh and Windows 95/98/Me platforms; network versions also available.
SmartStuff Software, (800) 671-3999
Fortres Grand Corporation's Fortres 101 restricts access to specific files, folders, or file types, and prevents users from running unapproved applications. Clean Slate restores computers to their original configurations upon reboot. Both programs are compatible with Windows systems, and prices vary depending on number of users.
Fortres Grand, (800) 331-0372
HDD Sheriff from JungSoft minimizes the effect of viruses and hackers by returning the computer to its original state. When the computer is restarted, the program recovers any deleted, corrupted, or changed data and deletes any unauthorized programs. Compatible with DOS or Windows operating systems. $69.95.
JungSoft, (877) 586-4763
Rewind 1.2.1 for Macintosh, from Power On Software, enables users to restore files damaged by viruses or system crashes, uninstall applications, and recover previous versions of any file. An emergency startup feature allows users to retrieve system files even when the computer won't boot on its own. Requires Mac OS 8.1 or higher. $99.95.
Power On Software, (800) 344-9160
Michelle Thatcher is managing editor of T&L.
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What to Look for in an Antivirus Product
Kevin Haley of the Symantec Security Response Organization offers these points to consider.
- Does the product detect viruses? Consult a third-party assessment, such as Virus Bulletin, to confirm that the program actually protects against viruses.
- How good is the company's response center, and how quickly does it react when a new virus is discovered? A company that quickly provides patches against new viruses can keep the latest virus from racing through your systems.
- Can the program block messages by subject line or by attachment type? This would make it easier to block file types likely to contain viruses even before the viruses are identified.
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