Network Security Roundup for October 2, 2003

E-Commerce Times: The New Security Risk of VoIP02-Oct-03 7:27 ET

Story Highlights:“They have their networks locked tight, their data hidden behind firewalls and their e-mail scanned by virus protection software. But too many IT managers and security officers overlook a crucial security risk: the telephone system. As voice over IP (VoIP) setups become more common, the risk of compromise of phone services is on the rise.”

Full Story on the E-Commerce Times

Story Highlights:“The most commonly received virus for September is a new entry — the Swen worm, which fools users into opening an attachment by masquerading as a Microsoft security update email. The virus made up 23.5 percent of all reported viruses last month, pushing the malware big boys of the last few months down the chart, according to figures from Sophos.”

Full Story on Silicon.com

Story Highlights:“Conceding that its strategy of patching Windows holes as they emerge has not worked, Microsoft plans next week to outline a new security effort focused on what the company calls “securing the perimeter,” a company executive told CNET News.com. Although Microsoft will continue to devise ways to improve the means by which Windows users apply upgrades, or patches, to their software, the company had realized that too many customers don’t upgrade quickly enough to thwart hackers.”

Full Story on CNET

Story Highlights:“Some time today, the GPRS world will reveal that it has a security vulnerability which has seen an undisclosed number of its customers ripped off. They’ve been trapped into connecting to malicious content servers, by hackers penetrating the billing system. ‘Network administrators face an exponential onslaught of attacks that to date have traditionally been confined to the world of wire line data,’ was the summary from Check Point.”

Full Story on The Register

Story Highlights:“When it comes to software piracy, it’s the little guys you have to keep your eye on. The Business Software Alliance (BSA) has announced that the vast majority of companies caught out for knock-off software are falling into the SME category. The figures out today show that nine out of ten of the companies who settled with the BSA in 2002/2003 were small or medium-sized companies, with Adobe, Microsoft and Symantec being among the pirates’ software of choice.”

Full Story on Silicon.com