Symantec Corp. expanded its ability to protect enterprises against web-based threats with the addition of Web Gateway 4.5 to its Protection Suite Enterprise Edition (PSEE). The Web security appliance ought to provide comprehensive protection by employing multiple layers of anti-malware technologies including Symantec’s anti-virus engine to protect customers against botnets and Web 2.0 threats.
According to Symantec Web Gateway gives PSEE customers a real-time traffic inspection engine that scans inbound and outbound traffic on-the-fly with zero latency. Additionally it adds multi-layer defenses for comprehensive protection against inappropriate or malicious sites, active content, application file downloads and “phone-home” traffic.
Web-based attacks are now the primary vector for malicious activity over the Internet as attacks seek to exploit the increase in Web application vulnerabilities. According to the Symantec Internet Security Threat Report Volume XIV, during 2008, 63 percent of all vulnerabilities affected Web applications. That’s an increase of nearly 60 percent over the previous year. Symantec also detected more than 55,000 phishing website hosts during 2008, an increase of 66 percent over 2007.
“We’ve definitely seen the uptick in Web threats during the past year,” said John Boline, service manager at Hagerman & Company, Inc. “But Symantec Web Gateway is giving us real-time detection and protection against this explosion of Web threats. It combines that with a comprehensive Web reporting and alert system and with the ability to create flexible policies and controls across our organization.”
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.
Symantec Protection Suite Enterprise Edition including Web Gateway 4.5 is available in a variety of deployment options through Symantec’s worldwide network of value-added resellers, distributors and systems integrators. (Source: Symantec Corp./GST)