Security news
Security news14 November 2007
Microsoft admits Windows security holes, but NAC can defend your company Network Access Control helps firms protect their networks against unpatched PCs
One of the security bulletins has been rated as critical by Microsoft.
IT security and control firm Sophos has advised companies to consider the benefits of Network Access Control (NAC) in light of the announcement of the latest critical security patches from Microsoft.
As part of its monthly "Patch Tuesday" schedule Microsoft has issued two new bulletins (one of them described as "critical") about security vulnerabilities in its software. The vulnerabilities cover a number of different versions of the Windows operating system, but do not include Windows Vista.
The more serious of the bulletins tackles a remote code execution vulnerability in the way that the Windows shell handles maliciously-crafted URIs. This is the same flaw that Sophos experts discovered was being exploited by the widely-distributed PDFex Trojan horse at the end of last month.
Sophos recommends that organizations roll-out the patches as a matter of urgency, as some of them could enable hackers to access data on a vulnerable PC or run malicious code such as a worm.
Network Access Control enables companies to control who and what is allowed onto their network; blocking unauthorized users, controlling guest access, and ensuring compliance with a business's security policy. By implementing NAC firms reduce the risk of unauthorized, guest, non-compliant, or infected systems compromising the network, ensuring that only correctly secured computers gain network access.
"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realise that it's critical for businesses and home users to have the latest security patches in place. Leaving your computers unpatched means that you are risking becoming the victim of a hacker attack," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos. "Network Access Control can help organizations enforce security policies, ensuring that any non-compliant device is locked down and unable to jeopardize the network."
Home users of Microsoft Windows can visit update.microsoft.com to have their systems scanned for Microsoft security vulnerabilities.
Sophos suggests that every IT manager responsible for security should consider subscribing to vulnerability mailing lists such as that operated by Microsoft at www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/notify.mspx.
Sophos continues to recommend companies protect their desktops and servers with automatically updated protection against viruses, spyware, hackers, and spam.
About Sophos
Sophos enables enterprises all over the world to secure and control their IT infrastructure. Sophos's network access control, endpoint, web and email solutions simplify security to provide integrated defenses against malware, spyware, intrusions, unwanted applications, spam, policy abuse, data leakage and compliance drift. With over 20 years of experience, Sophos protects over 100 million users in nearly 150 countries with its reliably engineered security solutions and services. Recognized for its high level of customer satisfaction and powerful yet easy-to-use solutions, Sophos has received many industry awards, as well as positive reviews and certifications.
Sophos is headquartered in Boston, US and Oxford, UK. More information is available at www.sophos.com
