McAfee SecurityCenter Looks to Windows Update
When Microsoft outlined the security initiatives found in the upcoming Windows XP Service Pack 2, some security vendors grumbled behind the scenes, but McAfee remained unfazed. In fact, the duo may now have settled into a cozier partnership than ever before.
Not only should the upcoming edition of McAfee's SecurityCenter console be compliant with Windows Security Center, it will actively monitor the status of Windows Update automatic updates.
McAfee VirusScan 9 Goes After Spyware
As the public continues to encounter unwanted programs, the words "spyware" and "adware" are entering into the vernacular. The question of how to deal with these nuisances is particularly challenging when programs users desire -- such as Kazaa -- require spyware components in order to operate.
In its upcoming release of VirusScan, McAfee is attempting to address that very question. In developing the next iteration of VirusScan, McAfee's software engineers have made it their number one priority to enhance the detection and removal of spyware, adware and other malware. However, detection is only one part of the equation.
McAfee Readies VirusScan Enterprise 7.5
McAfee is offering a public beta version of VirusScan Enterprise 7.5. VirusScan Enterprise protects desktops and fileservers from trojans, viruses, worms and other malicious code. The product is marketed toward both small businesses and large enterprises that use Microsoft Windows NT 4 or greater.
To make this year's refresh more enticing, McAfee has thrown in several compelling new features, the first of which is application specific buffer overflow protection. VirusScan Enterprise 7.5 is capable of blocking overflows from executing code. This builds upon the functionality of McAfee's consumer-oriented VirusScan 8 suite which actively monitors system memory for buffer overflows.
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 to Issue Updated SpamKiller
After purchasing SpamKiller from Novasoft last year, McAfee worked to broaden the software product with a different architecture while keeping its strong suits intact.
Now the software maker is gearing up to release the first major revision of the product under its auspice. SpamKiller 5 is currently undergoing beta testing, with a release to manufacturing date set for September 5.
McAfee Readies VirusScan 8
McAfee is prepping VirusScan 8, currently in beta, for release as its flagship antivirus product. In an exclusive interview with BetaNews, product manager Bryson Gordon sat down to discuss what’s new in the product.
VirusScan 8 manages to meld together McAfee’s distinct boxed offerings with the McAfee.com line of services and achieve a more integrated product. Customers will notice UI simplification and greater consistency amongst individually branded products which McAfee hopes users will appreciate.
Microsoft, McAfee Beta SharePoint Virus Scanning
McAfee has begun beta testing a new product named PortalShield, designed to protect Microsoft's SharePoint servers from viruses and other malicious content.
PortalShield integrates with SharePoint Portal Server 2001, as well as the upcoming version 2.0 and Windows SharePoint Services, currently shipping with Office Beta 2. It can scan all file types stored in SharePoint.
McAfee Tests CleanBoot, VirusScan Enterprise Betas
Network Associates' McAfee Business Unit is currently beta testing new products for its expanding anti-virus arsenal. A new utility being tested dubbed CleanBoot enables NTFS partitions to be cleaned via bootable diskette or CD. The next release of VirusScan Enterprise has also entered beta, and will be offered through a new portal system McAfee is offering to businesses.
The first beta of CleanBoot 1.0 is only a set floppy disk images, but McAfee says Beta 2 will "feature a Manager program that allows the user to update the DAT files and lock the functionality." The company is looking for CleanBoot to be tested in a variety of different hardware combinations and is accepting applications for the beta.
McAfee Consumer Products Enter Public Beta
The consumer division in Network Associates' McAfee Business Unit on Thursday announced the first public beta release of its consumer products line, which includes the popular McAfee VirusScan suite. The company has opened participation to all interested parties, and is also looking for suggestions from testers as it revamps the beta program.
The list of betas includes McAfee VirusScan Home Edition 7.0, McAfee VirusScan Professional Edition 7.0, McAfee Internet Security 5.0, McAfee Firewall 4.0, and McAfee QuickClean 3.0. Each program is expected to run until mid-July and contain two beta phases and a release candidate. Release notes are available, along with a "Getting Started Guide" for those not familiar with the product.
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.
Companies Eager to Review McAfee Patent
Software companies have scrambled to analyze the possible legal repercussions of a recent
patent issued to McAfee by the U.S. Patent Office. The patent is unusually broad, potentially giving Sunnyvale, California, based McAfee the rights to key technologies used by both competitors and partners alike. Some areas that fall under the jurisdiction of the patent include auto-updating, subscription services, and certain software that initiates downloads without prompting users. The company has taken a stand to protect its newfound ownership, telling the media that parties can either work with them or engineer around them.
When McAfee first applied for the patent in 1998, existing services such as Microsoft's Windows Update - launched June of that year - utilized technology to which McAfee now seemingly owns the rights. Makers of alternative operating systems such as Red Hat's Linux also provide similar update services. Furthermore, Web browsers such as Internet Explorer have included a behavior that allows customers to optionally open downloads without user intervention for years.
McAfee False Alarm Notice
According to McAfee, its latest virus update file has a flaw in it that incorrectly interprets STARR's wsys.dll as a virus. The notice reads "the latest virus update (4125) of the McAfee anti-virus scanner detects the file "wsys.dll" that comes with STARR as a "virus". This is of course NOT a virus but a false alarm !" The problem should be corrected in the next update, and you can download a temporary fix over at www.iopus.com.
McAfee: Password-Stealing Trojan Resurfaces
Anti-virus company McAfee.com Corp. is warning America Online (AOL) users to be on the
lookout for various incarnations of a password-swiping program that
is making the rounds attached to e-mail messages.
McAfee.com, largely owned by security company Network Associates,
said it has logged an increasing number if such "Trojan" programs -
part of a family labeled "APStrojan" - among AOL users over the
last 30 days. However, AOL says any evidence of an increase may be
a matter of perspective.
Recent Headlines
Most Commented Stories
Only a fool still uses Windows 7
Betanews Is Growing Alongside You
© 1998-2025 BetaNews, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Cookie Policy.