Ipoque PRX Traffic Manager now able to detect, control and block Skype Version 2.5.
I don’t think that Skype will be easily squashed by any p2p-blocking device, but having done a perfect firewall transversal in combination with a strong viral marketing, makes Skype into a very powerful potion, that is not easily controllable or detectable. It is a freedom tool. It is not something that companies know how to deal with. In any environment (believe me, I worked in IBM) freedom is limited. Standard operating procedure is something that can be endorsed in a computer network if you can maintain control of the bits and bytes flying around. In most network the hardware component are not capable of managing p2p. So there you have problem. Most IT-managers will ban Skype from their network and they will continue to do so untill it is made manageable from within. In mean time you must revert to p2p – enabled firewalls and other systems. For example Ipoque PRX Traffic Manager.
Ipoque alleviates Skype security risks Leipzig, May 16, 2006 – Security experts keep issuing warnings about the risks implied by using the popular VoIP application Skype. The proprietary implementation along with its ability to penetrate firewalls pose a severe risk for corporate networks. With the latest Skype 2.5 beta version released on May 3, once again the protocol has been changed trying to improve its stealth capabilities. ipoque has acted immediately issuing an update for its traffic management and analysis solutions to support detecting and blocking of Skype up to the latest version.
In March 2006, Philippe Biondi and Fabrice Desclaux from the EADS Corporate Research Center have published a comprehensive study on Skype security. It sheds light on the Skype software’s stealth capabilities and highlights the implied securitiy risks. In addition to these risks, running Skype in a corporate network substantially increases the traffic volume and potentially infringes national legislation on traffic surveillance and interception.
Immediate response: ipoque implements detection and blocking for the latest Skype 2.5 beta
ipoque’s PRX traffic managers are able to detect and block Skype traffic in corporate networks. Only three days after Skype 2.5 beta had been released, ipoque was able to provide an update for its customers to manage this latest version of Skype. The PRX traffic managers support application-and user-aware management of peer-to-peer-based file sharing, instant messaging and Voice over IP. They operate as transparent bridges for a seamless integration into existing network infrastructures. Detected traffic can be accounted, prioritized, throttled or blocked. The integrated Web interface allows a simple administration even with no prior knowledge about application traffic management. The product line comprises the models PRX-1000, PRX-1000e (traffic managers for Gigabit Ethernet) and 
PRX-100, PRX-100e (traffic manager for Fast Ethernet). The PRX-100 is an affordable traffic manager for small and medium-sized networks. Its consequent design without any mechanical wear and tear parts guarantees a high reliability.
"As Skype keeps releasing new software versions with changes to the underlying protocol, companies seeking to control Skype usage in their networks need a vendor who is able to provide updates for their traffic management solution in a timely manner. Our fast update service and the reliable support form the basis for a long-term customer relationship qualifying ipoque as a credible partner.", says Klaus Mochalski, CEO of ipoque.
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