Internet Security Systems (ISS) has announced an upgrade to its
RealSecure Desktop Protector software that provides security
features on desktop PCs.
Version 3.5 of RealSecure Desktop Protector will allow users more
flexibility in how the software protects them during virtual
private network (VPN) sessions, Dan Naider, director of RealSecure
product solutions at ISS, said. Users will now be able to tell the
software where they are connecting from via a VPN - be it remotely,
inside a network or from other locations - and the software will
adjust its protection level accordingly, he said.
Such a change will allow users to maintain a level of protection,
take advantage of the security measures afforded to them by the
network they are on and use services and applications they might
not be able to access with stricter security, he added.
ISS has also announced the addition of application protection to
Desktop Protector. Application protection is a new feature that
prevents unauthorised or unwanted applications from running by
cryptographically signing each application, Naider said.
When a user or administrator installs the new version of the
software, it will scan their PC to determine what applications are
installed on it and will create a checksum, or mathematical
signature, for each application, he said. When an application
without a checksum tries to run, it will be blocked from doing so,
he said.
The software can be configured to present a pop-up window offering
the user the option to run the application when an unauthorised
program tries to run, he added. Checksums can be generated when new
software is installed, he said. The software also allows users to
lock their systems to prevent unauthorised writing of files, Naider
said.
Application protection will allow users to block the spread of
worms and Trojan horses, since those applications will not have
checksums and therefore will not be able to run, he said. Naider
did caution that users should run a virus scan before creating the
checksums to avoid unintentionally authorising any viruses or worms
that may already be on their systems.
The new software is immediately available worldwide, at a cost of
$2,500 (£1,632) for 25 users with the corporate version or about
$60 (£39) per user with the consumer version.