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PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY
A simple way to secure your network
Paul Taylor
9/17/2005
 

          The task of securing a small business or home network and staying ahead of emerging threats can quickly become a full-time job, even for PC users who are comfortable with the technology and arcane language of security specialists. It seems hardly a week goes by without reports of a new virus attack, hacking attempt or "phishing" scam. As a result, many PC users -- even those who have installed security software such as firewalls, anti-virus and content filtering software -- may feel they are in danger of being overwhelmed.
Big companies face similar threats and rely on a mix of hardware-based security systems, software and services to protect their internal network systems and information resources from external attack.
As part of this security fortress, many companies deploy "managed security appliances" with built-in security software that can be automatically updated by a remote security specialist as new threats and vulnerabilities emerge.
Typically these dedicated devices sit on the perimeter of a network and monitor both incoming and outgoing network traffic for suspicious activity, protect users from virus, e-mail spam and other attacks and enable companies to set up filters blocking access, for example, to certain web sites. So far, most of these security appliances have been either too complex or too costly for smaller companies or home users to consider.
Recently, however, a New Jersey-based start-up called Eli (www.trusteli.com) with managed services facilities in Mainz, Germany, has set out to change this. Eli is an abbreviation of Electronic Life Integration. A few months ago Eli launched what it describes as "the first fully managed broadband security appliance for the consumer, enterprise remote worker and Soho [Small Office Home Office] markets".
I have been testing this $199 device -- essentially a broadband wireless router with an impressive range of updateable security features -- and I am impressed with its simplicity and capabilities.
Out of the box, the Eli managed network appliance supports up to five PCs or Apple Maes running standard operating systems including Windows XP, Mae OS X and Linux. It is designed to protect broadband connections against many internet security threats including spam, viruses, phishing, hacker attacks and malicious spyware. For a flat $9.99 a month service fee for up to five users, the Eli Assure Managed Services automatically updates the appliance's security defences, making sure they are up-to-date in much the same way that traditional security software vendors, such as Symantec and McAfee, regularly send out updates for their anti-virus and security suites.
In addition, the Eli appliance includes an integrated DSL or cable modem - although customers can use their own broadband router if they prefer -- a four-port network switch, a Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) wireless access point, VPN (virtual private network) support enabling remote users to log in securely to a home or small office network and, in the business user version, built in support for VoIP? (Voice over Internet Protocol) services. These features mean the Eli appliance is also a powerful "network-ina-box" replacing a handful of other devices that are otherwise required to set up a small network.
Set-up is simple. The Eli is about the size and weight of a hardback book and comes with a fold-out, four-step quick-start reference guide. The reference guide does a good job in stepping through the set-up process, including configuring the network and the appliance's wireless Lan (local area network) features. In the final step, users are invited to configure their personal settings using dedicated e-mail, firewall and personal control pages.
E-mail settings include the ability to set up a spam filter and configuring Eli to scan e-mails and their attachments for viruses. If a virus shows up, Eli alerts the user and deletes the e-mail and infected attachment. Spam messages are marked as such, and users can reroute them into special folders or just set Eli to delete them.
Like standalone firewalls -- including my favourite, ZoneLab's Zone Alarm, and others integrated into the leading security suites -- Eli's firewall is designed to hide the user's network from prying eyes while enabling internal network users to access the internet and services they need.
To ease configuration, Eli's firewall settings allow users to chose from five user profiles, ranging from "simple surfer" to "gamer" and "power user". Each of these settings opens or closes TCP/IP "ports" allowing or blocking different types of internet traffic. Once users have selected the appropriate security profile, the appliance downloads the settings and configures itself to support that choice.
For small business users or remote teleworkers, Eli plans to create custom security policies to meet specific business requirements. While most of Eli's security settings are fairly standard, its parental controls are impressive. These allow users to block 60 types of website content. For example, a parent might choose to block access to gambling and adult sites while an employer might choose to block access to streaming media and chat/instant messaging sites.
Overall, Eli's security settings and built-in security software appear to work well. The embedded "stateful packet inspection" firewall was developed by Eli itself while the other features are built around three third-party security applications: Blue Coat System's web-filtering software to control access to websites; Mail-Filter's anti-spam software; and a German anti-virus application, AntiVir, from H+BEDV Datentechnik. In the longer term their effectiveness will depend on how quickly and diligently virus definitions and other security features are updated. Currently, Eli's servers update the appliance's applications several times a day.
While some PC users and small network administrators might pause before giving up the proven security afforded by more traditional security software packages, Eli appears to provide a simple, easy-to-use and effective alternative. Its other built-in networking features make Eli a bargain. If you have been drafted in as the small network administrator, Eli could save you time -- and enable you to sleep easier at night.
........................................
FT Syndication Service

 

 
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