Five out of six firewalls could be flawed
By Deborah Bates
14/04/2011
Some 83 per cent of all network firewalls could contain significant flaws, according to one industry firm.
Speaking to The Inquirer, security product test firm, NSS Labs, made the claim; arguing that companies should be on high alert for viruses and other data breaches.
This may prompt more companies to invest in efficient, high-quality network management solutions, in order to protect themselves as best possible.
It is thought that out of the thousands and thousands of firewall security products on the market, five out of every six sold could contain two major issues - one with stability, and the second with 'split handshake' capabilities.
The latter refers to a flaw that can allow hackers to effectively "trick the firewall," the experts said, and aids hackers in infiltrating systems under the identity of a trusted user.
Spokespeople for NSS Labs highlighted the importance of understanding the situation, arguing: "Attackers can develop working exploits from these types of code flaws."
They added that investing in a firewall product just because it had been certified wasn't enough, stating: "They are designed, often by vendor consortiums, to demonstrate that products meet a minimum levels, rather than necessary level of functionality."
However the complaints made by NSS Labs have been refuted by some vendors; with some defending their products in PC World. One in particular claimed its firewall software fully protected consumers against the split handshake approach.
