Sunbelt Completes Kerio Firewall Buy
Sunbelt Software on Tuesday completed its acquisition of Kerio's desktop and server firewall products, a move which will save the popular free Kerio Personal Firewall from its planned retirement. In addition, Sunbelt is lowering the price of the full version to $19.95.
As previously reported, Kerio says it is moving out of the desktop market and focusing on software for small businesses. The company currently offers Kerio MailServer and Kerio WinRoute Firewall in that space.
Sunbelt Saves Kerio Personal Firewall
Sunbelt Software, maker of a number of security and anti-spyware applications, has saved the day by acquiring Kerio Personal Firewall, which was due to be discontinued at the end of the year. Sunbelt says it will continue to offer a free version of the firewall for home users.
Initially, the product will be re-branded as "Sunbelt Kerio Personal Firewall," and support will continue for all existing customers. The full version of KPF will be offered at reduced pricing and both Sunbelt and Kerio customers will receive special offers, the company said.
Symantec Axes Sygate Personal Firewall
The first casualty from Symantec's acquisition of Sygate in August is official: Both the free and paid version of Sygate Personal Firewall have been axed due to an overlap with Norton Personal Firewall. Users will be given a discounted upgrade path to Symantec's product, which runs $37.49 USD.
Sygate becomes the second free desktop firewall to be discontinued in as many months; Kerio Technologies will scrap its consumer firewall at the end of the year. Sygate's Enterprise firewall and endpoint compliance products will still be updated and supported, Symantec says.
Windows Firewall Flaw Hides Open Ports
Microsoft earlier this week confirmed a flaw exists in the way the user interface for its Windows Firewall handles bad entries in the Windows Registry, but said the problem was not a security vulnerability.
According to the advisory, an exception could be created that would open a hole in the Windows Firewall, allowing an attacker access to the computer. Administrator privileges are required in order to access the necessary section of the Windows Registry.
McAfee Granted Firewall Patent
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted software maker McAfee a patent for tracking network events on a computer using a firewall. The patent filing involves tracing the location of an incoming connection and displaying a map showing where the remote system geographically resides.
Specifically, McAfee's patent covers a firewall recording what it calls a "traffic event" into a log file. The log records the time and IP address of the remote system, which is then traced to its origin.
Microsoft Fixes XP SP2 Firewall Flaw
Microsoft announced Friday that it has released a patch to remedy a potential security breach in its firewall utility shipped with Windows XP Service Pack 2. The flaw could make files visible outside of a local network if file and print sharing was activated.
Microsoft had acknowledged the problem on its SP 2 Web site back in September, however a patch was not released until Tuesday.
McAfee Prepares Firewall 5.0
Preparations are underway at McAfee to beta test Firewall 5.0. Product manager James Schmidt recently sat down with BetaNews to detail what's in store for this year's release.
For its updated Firewall product, McAfee has focused on automation and customer education. Extended intelligent application handling operates from a list of trusted programs that are instantaneously permitted access without need for customer intervention. A new optional "setup assistant" and online tutorial collectively educate users on what a firewall is and what is does.
McAfee Readies Firewall Beta
McAfee is preparing to beta test version 7.5 of its Desktop Firewall, complete with Windows XP compatibility. McAfee is specifically looking for businesses to trial the new software as they would in a live environment.
"While we are always interested in feedback from anyone who wishes to participate in our beta cycles, beta testing of the Desktop Firewall v7.5 Beta will be focused towards our small-enterprise business customers. This is due to the new integration with ePolicy Orchestrator v2.5, which receives the best testing by our business customers," McAfee beta coordinator Tony Rasmussen told BetaNews.
Details Emerge on McAfee Professional Firewall
Last week at COMDEX Fall 2001, McAfee announced a new edition of its personal firewall software. As previously reported by BetaNews, the consumer edition features integrated intrusion detection, a graphical trace utility, and integration with hackerwatch.org – a site that audits security and tracks the activities of hackers. At the same time the company teased users by mentioning the future availability of a professional version without detailing the product's specifications. BetaNews sat down with Sam Curry, McAfee's chief firewall architect to discuss the differences between the two releases.
The advanced intrusion detection feature gathers information needed to allow customers to analyze and identify traffic that is attempting to bypass their firewall. It also lists the type and frequency of attacks being waged. Many firewalls, including McAfee's product offerings, filter outbound traffic to protect against Trojans and other malicious code.
McAfee to Debut New Firewall
McAfee has introduced a new edition of its personal firewall (MPF) that it has dubbed as the "next generation" of its anti-intrusion software. The firewall's defenses have been bolstered by integrated advanced intrusion detection, and a graphical trace utility that can provide geographic information on attackers. Background information obtained on intruders will be integrated into hackerwatch.org - a massive online database that monitors hacking and rogue network activity.
The advanced intrusion detection feature gathers all necessary and prudent information needed to allow customers to analyze and identify traffic that is attempting to bypass their firewall. It also entails a listing of the type and frequency of attacks being waged. Many firewalls, including McAfee's product offerings also filter outbound traffic to protect against Trojans and other malicious code.
Norton Personal Firewall Beta Testing Opens
Symantec Corporation, maker of the popular suite of utilities to protect and repair computer systems, has announced open beta testing of its new program Norton Personal Firewall 2000. This software provides "maximum defense against hackers and other Internet threats," touts Symantec. Users can choose between predefined security settings or create their own, choose what sites allow ActiveX and Java, and block unwanted cookies. Users can also prevent personal information from being sent to sites without their knowledge, and the software can be controlled in the same window as Norton AntiVirus 2000. Apply to beta test Norton Personal Firewall 2000, and visit Symantec for more information.
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