Kamikaze

Apr 11, 2007 (Nsasoft) — Nsasoft today announced the release of a new version of its popular network security scanner, Nsauditor Network Security Auditor 1.5.5. It is a Windows based multi-purpose tool designed to scan networks and hosts for vulnerabilities, and to provide security alerts. Nsauditor is a complete utilities package that includes more than 45 network tools and gives you the possibility to get information about operating systems, service packs, hotfixes, installed software and running processes on remote PCs. The tools are wide-ranging, from a basic portscanner to more complex SQL and web server scanners, and a set of related utilities and reporting options. Nsauditor is an excellent solution for auditing all types of computer assets in the corporate networks.

Nsauditor significantly reduces the total cost of network management in enterprise environments by enabling IT personnel to scan and monitor network for possible vulnerabilities. The software checks your network for all potential methods that a hacker might use to attack it. With Nsauditor Network Security Auditor, Systems Administrators are able to gather a wide range of information from all the computers in the network without installing server-side applications on these computers and create a report of potential problems that were found.

A network monitor provides some insight into services running locally, with options to dig down into each connection and analyze the remote system, terminate connections, block unwanted network connections with incrusted fireawall system and view data on the associated process.

Nsauditor includes scanning tools that examine Microsoft SQL servers for exposed services and vulnerabilities, and another which discovers and walks through available SNMP nodes on the network.There are also agents that scan MS RPC named pipes and SunRPC services, and a tool for auditing NTLM passwords, by capturing password hashes from NTLM sessions and brute-force decrypting them. Nsauditor also includes event monitor that examines the local Windows logs and triggers when a specific event ID is detected. The trigger can send email to an admin, send a Windows network message or play a sound file (even speak a custom message with a text-to-speech tool).

Nsauditor “Adware Scanner” tool scans network computers for common Adware traces and gives you a quick look at the Adware, malware and spyware installed on local or network computers.

In summary, Nsauditor Network Security Auditor is a very complete network tools package for a surprisingly low price.

Application Info: http://www.nsauditor.com/network_security/network_security_auditor.html

Application Screenshot: http://www.nsauditor.com/images/screens/nm1.jpg

Download URL: http://www.nsauditor.com/downloads/nsauditor_setup.exe



By: Varuzhan Kankanyan

A network is two or more computers linked together in order to share data. From a security standpoint, the problem with networks is that unauthorized individuals might also be able to access that data. Network security is a term that encompasses your overall system for keeping your network as impenetrable as possible, be it hardware, software, or company policies.

Whether your network consists of two computers or two hundred computers, there are certain basic security measures you should have in place. Most of these measures aren’t complicated or expensive, and they don’t require any particular expertise in networking or computer security.

One of the most basic steps for securing your network is to have anti-virus software in place. Anti-virus software periodically sweeps your computer looking for known viruses. You can also choose to run a anti-virus test at any time. Once run, the software generates a report that lists the viruses detected. You are then able to select which, if any, of the viruses detected you want quarantined and removed. It’s more important that you keep your software up to date because new viruses are created and released every day.

Next, make sure you have a firewall in place. A firewall is like a gatekeeper. It’s a hardware/software combination that allows you to decide what goes in and out of your network. You determine the “trust level” to which your firewall is set. The trust level dictates which network connections will be automatically allowed and which will require specific permission. Firewalls come with a “default” setting which is unlikely to be stringent enough to meet your security needs. For optimum security, you should always manually set the trust settings to a higher degree of scrutiny.

Firewalls and anti-virus software are essential for another very important reason: they help protect your system from adware and spyware. Adware and spyware range from annoying to very dangerous. Adware slows down your system, and generates irritating pop-up ads that interfere with your work. Spyware is much more serious. It tracks your computer usage habits, and basically opens up a door to your network that allows hackers to penetrate your system without your knowing it.

Another simple measure is to regularly download patches for your software. Computer programs are tested for vulnerabilities and possible exploits before they are distributed to the public. However, it’s impossible to detect every single vulnerability in advance. As new exploits are discovered, companies “patch” their programs and software to prevent the exploitation of that vulnerability. Without these patches, the software and programs on your computer remain vulnerable.

Network security also depends on common sense. Weak passwords can cause big problems, but are easily avoided. Never use easy-to-guess passwords like your last name, phone number, or birth date. Always use a combination of letters and numbers. Your best bet is to avoid real words altogether and use a string of numbers and letters that stand for a saying or phrase you can easily remember.

Another common sense security measure is to delete suspicious-looking email. More importantly, never open or download an attachment from an email address you don’t recognize. Doing so could be inviting a virus right into your computer. When in doubt, follow this simple rule: delete without opening.

If your business, you should also put in place security policies to govern the behavior of authorized users. Even authorized users can pose a serious security risk, sometimes without realizing it. For instance, “I love to dance, I love to sing” could be “1L2D1L2S,” with the number 1 replacing the letter I.

Here are a few elements of a solid network security policy:

• Require your employees to change their passwords every 3 months.

• Do not allow employees to post their passwords on their desk or cubicle

• Immediately terminate a departing employee’s access to your network.

• Operate on the computer network equivalent to the “need to know” basis. Only allow an employee access to the programs and data that are essential to his or her job.

• Put all of your security guidelines down in writing, and post them where all of your employees can see them.

You want your network security policy to be tight, but not completely rigid. That is, if a given security measure is proving to be unworkable or a serious inconvenience, be willing to adjust. You can often achieve the same result through different means.

Last, but certainly not least, review your network security on a regular basis. A network that’s secure today may not be secure a few months down the road. Hackers are smart and are constantly developing ways to bypass security measures. Be smarter than the hackers by staying on the cutting edge of network security technology.



By: Paul Walsh

Network security is a critical aspect of most businesses today. Developing a plan that accommodates an existing IT infrastructure while incorporating enhanced network security along with improvements in daily operations and business resources is the best way to provide an affordable and efficient defense against threats.

The comprehensive protection of your business enterprise begins with an introduction to network security. It is essential to implement integrated defenses into your IT system in order to minimize the risks to your business. The damaging effects of exposure to dangerous threats both internally and externally can cripple your business, paralyzing it into a slow but steady demise.

Circumventing exposure to IT threats is more costly and time consuming than setting up a network security system to prevent such threats from entering your IT infrastructure.

At the basis of the potential for attack from new risks are many factors, not the least of which is the compliance to new regulatory demands that consistently leave network security exposed. Additionally, expanding the scope of your enterprise often escalates too quickly or so widely that the existing business IT structure becomes fragmented and open to security risks and threats.

Network security encompasses several different facets of any business enterprise. One of the primary goals of network security is to develop a flexible system that is strong and resilient. In turn, coupling this strength and flexibility with a consolidation of network resources creates a system that is fully protected throughout the organization. An introduction into network security should begin with a consolidated effort to improve and enhance the methods used to access data including improvements in monitoring and encrypting information. Prioritizing security risks will enable the ability to pinpoint the greatest risk in order to plug security holes and prevent infiltration from threats.

Another one of the primary objectives of network security is to safeguard customer databases. Protecting the network security of a business enterprise can lead to enhanced productivity. Less downtown experienced with equipment and personnel equates to more man hours and efficient output.

An effective network security strategy incorporates many aspects of a business. More importantly, it manages critical information relating to who has access to company content along with what these individuals are permitted to do. Additionally, a successful network security solution is capable of managing the identities of each entity that has access to business content including employees, customers, suppliers, and partners. More importantly, as companies go green and enable a remote workforce, network security becomes embroiled in more complicated issues that need to be addresses by trained professionals.

Identifying vulnerabilities and clearing the path to their protection is critical when shoring up the security of any company network. Business operations need to be designed to present the safest options all of the time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All of these concerted efforts will lead to optimal efficiency within the business structure as well as improved network security throughout the IT infrastructure.



By: Ricky Boyd