This one is all about blocking p2p, Skype.
" REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ:CHKP), the worldwide leader in securing the Internet, today announced that its enterprise security gateways now have the unique ability to block Skype v3.5, the latest version of the popular consumer VoIP application. This development, leveraging Check Point's SmartDefense™ integrated intrusion prevention capabilities, is part of the company's ongoing efforts to help enterprises better manage the risks from consumer software downloaded by employees for personal use.
The addition of Skype v3.5 management and blocking capabilities is particularly critical because a new virus called "w32/Ramex.A" is currently spreading through Skype for Windows. Infected users send a chat message to other Skype users, asking them to click on a web link that can infect the computer of the recipient. With Check Point, an IT administrator could immediately secure the corporate network against the virus by simply blocking Skype use until the virus storm has passed, or limiting use to versions not affected.
Consumer applications such as instant messaging (IM), peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing and Skype are often installed by employees without the company's knowledge or consent. Once installed on even a single PC connected to the network, the application can become an open avenue for hackers seeking to infiltrate the network. Check Point has strategically developed extensive security and management features for IM and P2P applications running across a corporate network. By offering IT administrators more granular control of these applications, an enterprise can reduce the risk of security breaches associated with consumer software vulnerabilities as well improve employee productivity by limiting distractions.
"IM, Skype and P2P applications are exciting new ways to communicate and collaborate, but enterprises must have control over anything with the potential to introduce new threats into the network," said Dave Burton, director of product marketing at Check Point. "Check Point is leading the way by ensuring that these management and blocking capabilities extend to the most current versions of consumer software applications, such as Skype v3.5."
Beyond security vulnerabilities, the potential for proprietary information to be sent off the network without approval introduces legal and competitive risks. Plus, the added bandwidth consumption from these products can increase IT costs and negatively affect the performance of the overall network. Lastly, employers may not want employees to be distracted by alternative communication mediums such as Skype, MSN, Jabber, ICQ and others.
As part of Check Point's management capabilities, IT administrators can limit or entirely block IM and P2P communications, and help set boundaries over their network traffic. Real-time updates from Check Point's SmartDefense Services provide Check Point users with the latest patches to ensure customers are protected against new exploits, vulnerabilities and protocols. Additionally, the Check Point SmartDefense engine allows administrators to add advanced functionalities that are both protocol- and heuristic-based.
For more information on how to protect against IM and P2P applications that pose a threat to enterprise security, please visit www.checkpoint.com. "
Source : Media Alert: Check Point Offers Superior Protection for Enterprise.
It's kind of old news (for me) the tom.com content-filter by Skype, but the news resurfaced. "Dynamic Internet Technologies (DIT), a North America-based company
known for its products that override Internet censorship, recently
discovered that the Internet phone service company Skype is cooperating
with Internet censorship in China. On Monday DIT announced that it has
tested and confirmed that Skype.com redirects visits from Chinese IP
addresses to the homepage of Tom-Skype that has Trojan horse
capabilities." source.
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