Netgear has launched the Netgear ProSafe 8-Port VPN Firewall (FVS318G). It is a compact VPN firewall that provides reliable, business-class network security, remote access and Internet access for small businesses with as many as 10 users.

With support IPSec VPN for secure remote connections and firewall functions to protect small business networks from hackers, the FVS318G offers security while also enabling fast networking by offering eight gigabit ports, one gigabit WAN port, and up to 25 Mbps broadband throughput. The FVS318G is an affordable option from SMBs and also features a software-configurable hardware DMZ (de-militarized zone) port to provide for server and other externally facing connections. With a DMZ, SMBs can add an additional layer of security to an organization's Local Area Network (LAN). This deters an external attacker as only the external-facing equipment in the DMZ is accessible, rather than the whole of the network.

The software-configurable DMZ port is often found on higher-end firewalls. The features mentioned above make the FVS318G an ideal option for small businesses that need externally facing network resources like a Web server but have strict internal LAN security requirements. The DMZ port can be activated or deactivated through a user-friendly GUI.

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Tata Communications has launched a revolutionary new product—Tata Indicom Extra—which allows all broadband/internet users in India to access Tata Communications’ rich portfolio of value added services like Global Internet Roaming, Net Telephony, Wi-Fi, movies, music and over 150 business and home applications.

This is the first time in India that VAS offerings of one ISP is being made available to all internet users even though they may be subscribers of other ISPs.

Tata Indicom Extra is a convenient product which a user can purchase offline or online, register, and start using. The prepaid cards can be bought in convenient denominations ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 6,500, giving complete freedom and ease to customers in selecting a service they wish to enjoy. These include access to over 500 Tata Indicom Wi-Fi hotspots in India and over 100,000 globally, global internet roaming at over 160 countries, and a wide array of content services specially collated for home and business users like PC security, domain registration, music download, etc.

This new product from Tata Communications comes soon after the company has launched innovative night time tariff plans, and enabled easier global Internet roaming and access to its different in-house services, through the One World, One Account plan.

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Array Networks Inc has launched the Array SPX800 Universal Access Controller (UAC), the first comprehensive remote access solution for small and medium businesses (SMBs). With the SPX800 appliance, SMBs and all employees, road warrior and office worker alike, can now benefit from a full range of SSL VPN and remote desktop access functionality without making sacrifices in time, effort, budget, or security.

The SPX800 appliance is the first in its class to enable any user, road warrior or office worker, to securely connect to internal resources from remote locations, in an easy-to-deploy appliance. For road warriors, the SPX 800 delivers SSL VPN access to the network and all applications from any PC from any location. For users that typically work in an office, the SPX800 provides remote access to the worker’s desktop with complete access to his applications. This enables the SMB to have a single solution for remote access and reduces the number of laptop computers that these businesses need to purchase.

Optimized to deliver the best end-user experience, the SPX800 delivers the same capabilities as Array’s enterprise SSL VPN appliances to SMBs. These businesses can now quickly, easily, and cost-effectively provide employees and partners with remote access to internal applications, desktop PCs and servers, as well as virtual infrastructure.

As the only hardware-accelerated entry-level SSL VPN appliance with auto power management, the SPX800 offers the most intuitive, consistent, high quality end-user experience. Typical setup time takes less than 30 minutes. The SPX800 features Array Pilot, a streamlined administrative user interface with wizards and device configuration workflows that make installation simple for any IT administrator, eliminating the need for training or additional technical support.

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BitDefender has recently announced the launch of BitDefender Total Security 2010, which includes improved optimized scanning, Active Virus Control, first-ever usage profiles and other system enhancements to provide industry leading proactive protection against all Internet security threats, along with improved system maintenance and backup, without slowing PC performance.

BitDefender 2010’s optimized scanning capability allows on-demand scans to be completed in half the time needed by previous versions. By avoiding scanning files known to be safe this process improves the scan speed and reduces the system load. BitDefender provides a database of files known to be safe, and updates this database on a continual basis. Active Virus Control is an innovative technology, monitoring programs running on a user’s computer as they execute and then notes malware-like actions. If enough such actions are detected, the program which ran them is declared harmful.

Usage Profiles allows users to choose the profile that best covers their primary activities. These profile choices—Typical, Parent, Gamer—will be reflected in the product interface so that each category’s preferred tasks are easily accessible (e.g. for parents the “Configure Parental Control” button, while for Gamers, the “Turn on Game Mode” button). Other BitDefender Total Security 2010 enhancements include: Enhanced Usability, Intrusion Detection, Increased Parental Control, Application Time Control, and Increased In-Product Technical Support.

In addition to BitDefender Total Security 2010, BitDefender also launched BitDefender Antivirus 2010 and BitDefender Internet Security 2010. BitDefender Antivirus 2010 provides advanced proactive protection against viruses, spyware, phishing attacks, and identity theft.

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Uncontrolled and unmonitored internet access is not only a serious security risk to organizations but can also lead to increased productivity costs and time-wasting. Management needs to be aware of what their employees are doing online even more so if their online activity is non-work related. As part of its recently launched WE CARE initiative, GFI Software is giving organizations the ability to monitor web browsing in their organization in real-time through its FREEWARE version of GFI WebMonitor.

The commercial version of GFI WebMonitor allows users not only to view web browsing activity in the organization, but also to block access to sites on an individual or group level. The latest release of GFI WebMonitor also includes a new feature: Hidden Downloads Checking. This feature will block and identify background processes from downloading payloads that may be malicious in nature or use up network resources.

GFI WebMonitor allows administrators to manage what sites users can browse and block access to websites in particular categories, such as adult, online gaming, personal email, P2P, Facebook, Myspace, travel websites and more. Web monitoring is made easy with WebGrade, an extensive database that provides URL coverage for 165,000,000 domains and that is continuously updated. GFI WebMonitor also offers web security features that allow you to monitor what files employees are downloading, to block file-types such as mp3s and to scan all files for viruses, spyware and malware using multiple anti-virus engines.

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Sophos has announced the availability of SafeGuard Enterprise 5.40, the latest multi-layered, centrally managed endpoint data security encryption and data leakage prevention (DLP) solution designed to protect desktops, laptops, PDAs, removable media and other portable devices. In collaboration with customers, Sophos developed and delivered the new Sophos SafeGuard Enterprise 5.40, offering best-in-class handling of removable media encryption with enhanced usability, improved IT efficiency with hardware robustness and stability for reliable deployments and the best data protection for mobile or fixed computing devices and storage media available to date.

Sophos SafeGuard Enterprise has established itself in the market as an effective, easy-to-maintain solution for securing data on mobile and fixed computing devices, on removable media, servers and in emails. Sophos SafeGuard Enterprise 5.40 new benefits highlights are: best-in-class removable media encryption; enhanced data protection; and improved IT efficiency. As with every Sophos SafeGuard Enterprise release, additional enhancements, including multi-tenancy aware management center, the option to host two encrypted Windows systems on the same machine, a feature-enhanced Configuration Protection module are included in the latest offering. Sophos SafeGuard Enterprise also offers support for the latest platforms, including Windows Vista SP2 and Microsoft SQL Server 2008.

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AT&T announced the availability of enhanced security features and functionality for its Network-Based Firewall offering. AT&T’s Network-Based Firewall service is a fully managed, cost-effective solution that allows customers to manage and control individual user’s access to the Internet and help prevent unauthorized access into their corporate AT&T network, without the expense of premises equipment.

AT&T’s Network-Based Firewall includes several new features and enhancements. Anti-virus scanning of instant messaging applications, including ICQ, MSN, Yahoo! and AOL Instant Messenger. Expanded URL filtering, allowing or blocking access to more than 80 categories of Internet Web sites. User Authentication to set policy controls over user level access to the internet. Inline scanning of HTTP and FTP content for common virus, spyware and malware threats and vulnerabilities. Active Intrusion Detection and Intrusion Prevention Services (IDS/IPS), providing customizable policies and proactive investigational analysis and mitigation support. Additional security features and functionality, enabling customers to better manage their network security infrastructure.

AT&T's Network-Based Firewall is fully managed by a highly specialized staff of security technicians who continuously screen applications and administer firewalls, intrusion detection signatures, filters, patches and servers. The firewalls are actively managed and monitored 24x7 at AT&T's Security Network Operations Center (S/NOC), a protected, fully-redundant site equipped with emergency backup power.

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Symantec Corp expanded its ability to protect enterprises against web-based threats with the addition of Web Gateway 4.5 to its Symantec Protection Suite Enterprise Edition. The Web security appliance provides comprehensive protection by employing multiple layers of antimalware technologies including Symantec’s antivirus engine to protect customers against today’s most prevalent botnets and Web 2.0 threats.

Web Gateway gives Symantec Protection Suite Enterprise Edition customers a real-time inspection engine that scans inbound and outbound traffic on-the-fly with zero latency, eliminating the delays commonly associated with proxy-based architectures. On top of this real-time traffic inspection, it adds multi-layer defenses for comprehensive protection against inappropriate or malicious sites, active content, application file downloads and “phone-home” traffic.

Symantec has added Web Gateway to its portfolio as part of its ongoing integration with Mi5 Networks following its acquisition in April. The new Web security solution is built on technology powered by the Symantec antivirus engine and backed by the Symantec Global Intelligence Network, which is comprised of databases that collect information from around the world to identify emerging threats, develop defenses and distribute solutions. To track malicious activity, Symantec maintains 11 Security Response Centers and utilizes 240,000 attack sensors, logging more than two billion events each day.

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In developing its 2010 consumer line, Trend Micro kept in mind that consumers often find security software programs to be tedious to manage and heavy on computer resources. The company unveiled new versions of its flagship consumer products—Trend Micro Internet Security and Trend Micro Internet Security Pro, both the first to be optimized for Microsoft Windows 7. Now faster and smarter while remaining easy to use, they provide superior protection without draining computer resources.

Trend Micro Internet Security and Internet Security Pro give consumers the freedom and peace of mind to shop, surf, or bank online without struggling to update or manage their security programs—one of the reasons why many simply opt out of security software completely. But with identity and data theft draining consumers millions of dollars every year, foregoing security software or even settling for free security software can be an expensive risk.

Both products offer unique features that make it effortless for consumers to stay protected. The Home Network Security Management function, for example, allows consumers to see and remotely manage other computers in their home network through a graphical home network map and block wireless network intruders. Trend Micro Internet Security and Internet Security Pro are powered by the Trend Micro Smart Protection Network infrastructure, which works in the background, correlating threat intelligence, protecting in the Internet cloud, and giving consumers—wherever they are—immediate, real-time protection competitive products don't offer.

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