Can’t use your Web browser?
IT security and control firm Sophos has announced that the application control feature of its flagship product, Sophos Endpoint Security and Control, has been extended to give businesses the option to block unauthorised Web browsers from company networks.
This feature addition coincides with recent research from Sophos showing that 70% of administrators want the ability to block unauthorised Web browsers or out-of-date versions of approved browsers.
Browsers which can be blocked by Sophos include Firefox (versions 1-3), Internet Explorer (versions 5-7), Safari, Opera, Netscape and Flock, as well as lesser known Internet browsers.
"The 30% of administrators who do not consider browser control to be important might want to revisit this issue. Employees installing their own browsers and associated tools, like iTunes and BitTorrent, are probably not thinking about security but about personal preferences, while administrators are forced to deal with the associated security and productivity issues. Setting down a policy that controls which Web browser and version type employees can use, administrators are simplifying the job of keeping the Web secure, which is particularly important in light of the increased malware activity on the Web," says Brett Myroff, CEO of regional Sophos distributor, Sophos SA.
SophosLabs now identifies one newly infected Webpage every five seconds, confirming the Web as the primary vector for malware infection. Out-of-date or unpatched browsers, being particularly vulnerable, are driving administrators to demand tighter control over which Web browser and version number can be installed on an employee’s computer.
"As hackers increasingly turn to compromising legitimate Web sites by inserting malicious code that redirects browsers to sites hosting malware – a well-managed Web browser, where vulnerabilities are patched and options are appropriately set, help to preserve the integrity of corporate networks," Myroff says.
Phishers, too, have turned to taking advantage of vulnerabilities and security weaknesses in Web browsers to trick users with authentic looking, criminally-motivated replicas – designed to collect sensitive personal and company information which can then be used for financial gain.
Aside from the risks posed by cybercriminals, ’browser wars’ have opened up a competitive, fast-paced and varied landscape. Beta versions and updates of popular browsers are entering circulation daily, some incorporating media streaming and file sharing capabilities, making it increasingly difficult for administrators to secure endpoints.
Sophos’ application control is fully integrated into Sophos Endpoint Security and Control, requiring no further roll-out of new software. It gives companies the power to selectively block Web browsers, remote connection tools, games, VoIP, peer-to-peer (P2P), Instant Messaging (IM) and distributed computing applications. It is available free of charge to all customers.
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