IM SECURITY

IM SECURITY THREATS

IM applications have rapidly become accepted by businesses as viable employee communications tools. It is more immediate than email, remarkably easy-to-use, and provides the real-time collaboration organizations need to ensure quick decisions. Most importantly, unlike email and the telephone, IM introduces the concept of “presence,” enabling users to be aware of the availability of others in real-time.

Despite the many benefits IM has presented, organizations are hesitant to adopt it because of the threats and inefficiencies that unmanaged IM usage can introduce, including IM security threats.

Some of the many IM security threats that are concerning include:

• IM security risks and vulnerability to hackers: When a user transfers files or uses other IM features like file sharing or voice chat, his or her IP address is revealed. Using this IP address, hackers may potentially focus on attacking the system.
• Viruses, Trojan horses, and worms: Viruses, Trojan horses, and worms can hitch a ride on IM attachments and make their way into corporate networks
• Loss of intellectual property, confidential data: Organizations face significant IM security risks from disclosure of intellectual property or business-critical information using IM’s file attachment capability.

Because of these many IM security issues, organizations must address how to secure IM use within their networks. Websense Web Security Suite is a leading web and IM security solution that protects organizations from existing and emerging web-based and IM security risks.

WEBSENSE WEB SECURITY SUITE

Through its industry-leading web security technology and the expertise of Websense Security Labs, Websense Web Security Suite protects against IM security risks, spyware, malicious mobile code, and phishing and pharming attacks. Unlike some other solutions, it also blocks spyware and keylogger backchannel communications from reaching their host servers. In addition, only Websense Web Security Suite offers the Websense Web Protection Services that help protect organizations’ websites, brands, and web servers.

Websense Web Security Suite Benefits include:

• Lowers the risk of intellectual property theft and malicious attacks through instant messaging (IM), IM attachments, and protocols, such as peer-to-peer, email, file transfer, and others.
• Proactively discovers web security threats
• Protects against web security threats before they reach the desktop
• Stops resident spyware and keyloggers from doing damage
• Blocks malicious HTTP traffic on all ports
• Swiftly alerts when websites or brands are under attack and reports web server vulnerabilities

• Learn more about Websense Web Security Suite



• Download a free, fully functional 30-day evaluation of Websense Web Security Suite.

CASE STUDIES

• Cognizant (India)
• Warwickshire County Council (UK)
• Ufone/PTCL (PK)

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WHITE PAPERS

• Research Brief – Protecting the Crown Jewels: Securing Intellectual Property
• Understanding and Selecting a DLP Solution
• Information Security: Meeting Today’s Challenges

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