Security

Cisco edges F5 in VPN shootout

Connecting remotely to network servers is a fact of life for millions of end users. Whether working from a PC or a mobile device, users rely on secure, reliable remote connections to maintain their productivity.

By Susan Perschke | 22 April, 2013 14:04

Tags: freemium, watchguard, security, cisco, Gateway, endpoint security, Wide Area Network, Dell, F5 Networks, sonicwall

Microsoft DirectAccess impresses

Available since Windows Server 2008 R2, Microsofts DirectAccess server role became fully integrated with the OS in Windows Server 2012. DirectAccess is designed to connect a VPN-type session automatically as soon as a compatible Windows client is connected to the Internet.

By Susan Perschke | 22 April, 2013 10:57

Tags: Shell, Microsoft, security, endpoint security, Wide Area Network

Java security questions answered

Most of the products tested (except Windows Server 2012), use Oracle's Java in one form or another, at least for client access and also in some cases within the management interface. With numerous vulnerabilities recently discovered in Java, leading to guidance from Department of Homeland Security and others to disable it entirely, this raised some questions about usability and possibly even security of the devices tested.

By Susan Perschke | 22 April, 2013 10:57

Tags: watchguard, security, Microsoft, endpoint security, Wide Area Network, Oracle

Hot hotspot gateways

Offering Wi-Fi can be a good way to increase return customers and boost revenue in retail stores, hotels, cafes, etc. And it provides convenience for contractors and associates working in corporate offices and conference rooms. Though visitors might have 4G mobile devices or laptops, Wi-Fi can provide a faster, higher quality connection.

By Eric Geier | 01 April, 2013 14:10

Tags: freemium, Wi-Fi, Networking, wireless, Wireless Management, WLANs / Wi-Fi, anti-malware

Building the perfect Franken-tablet

Finding the right business tablet can be a daunting task. Do you want a 7-inch display or a 10 inch? Built-in keyboard? Snap-on keyboard? Which operating system? What apps? How about ruggedness, style, battery life, price?

By Tom Henderson and Matt Evangelista, ExtremeLabs, Inc. | 11 March, 2013 14:12

Tags: freemium, Configuration / maintenance, PC, Networking, wireless, hardware systems, toshiba, anti-malware, Data Center

Gigabit Wi-Fi? Not so fast.

The newest Wi-Fi technology -- 802.11ac -- promises blazing speeds of up to 1.3Gbps, according to claims made by the leading vendors.

By Wayne Rash | 25 February, 2013 15:29

Tags: freemium, Linksys, Wi-Fi, Networking, wireless, netgear, D-Link, WLANs / Wi-Fi, anti-malware, Buffalo Technology

Four Wi-Fi tools deliver mixed results

During our review of 802.11ac routers, some of the vendors sent along additional products that they thought we might be interested in. Here are short reviews of four WiFi tools that you might find useful in your network.

By Wayne Rash | 25 February, 2013 12:00

Tags: Wi-Fi, Networking, wireless, netgear, WLANs / Wi-Fi, anti-malware

Transcend ESD200 review: A fast little external SSD

Transcend's ESD200 external SSD is fast and very portable. Unfortunately, the backup software doesn't impress.

By Lucas Mearian | 18 February, 2013 11:11

Tags: Data storage, storage, storage hardware, transcend

Smartphone tools to keep your Wi-Fi network humming

In the early days of Wi-Fi, site surveys were fairly basic and involved running around with a laptop looking at simple signal levels. The next step was mapped-based tools that provided a good visual of Wi-Fi coverage, but still involved carrying a bulky laptop around.

By Eric Geier | 11 February, 2013 14:58

Tags: freemium, Wi-Fi, Networking, wireless, Wireless Management, WLANs / Wi-Fi, anti-malware, mobile apps

IronKey Workspace review: Windows 8 PC on a stick

Imation's IronKey division has introduced a new USB drive from which you can boot up an encryption-secured Windows 8 PC on any computer.

By Lucas Mearian | 01 February, 2013 18:20

Tags: Mobile/Wireless, Data storage, Networking, wireless, Windows, software, mobile, operating systems, intel, imation, Apple

Samba 4 review: No substitute for Active Directory -- yet

Samba's open source alternative to Microsoft's domain controller is a good start, but not ready for prime time

By Paul Ferrill | 23 January, 2013 11:13

Tags: unix, Linux, Networking, Network management, samba, open source software, operating systems, access control, management, Active Directory, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft, security, software

10 smartphone apps that can help track your expenses

Hate having to record your expenditures for the IRS or your company's accounting department? These iPhone and Android apps can make it easier to track your expenses.

Low-cost RADIUS servers for Wi-Fi security

Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) servers are common in enterprise networks to offer centralized authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) for access control. But RADIUS servers can also be useful in small and midsize networks to enable 802.1X authentication and WPA2 (802.11i) security for Wi-Fi nets.

4 security suites that protect all your devices

Security suites from McAfee, Symantec, Trend Micro and Webroot offer protection for all your devices along with Web-based management.

DLP tools deliver strong endpoint protection

With serious data breaches occurring on almost a daily basis, concerns about data protection have skyrocketed. While some experts believe endpoint breaches may no longer comprise the majority of data leaks, the intentional or unintentional release of sensitive data from endpoints within an organization, whether by employees, contractors or guests, remains a serious problem that data loss prevention (DLP) products seek to address.

Cisco Ironport delivers strong email protection

The Cisco Ironport is an appliance that is deployed into an existing mail infrastructure. All emails are sent to the IronPort and the IronPort is either the last point out (most common configuration) or it can process email and then send it back to the mail server where it is sent out.

How we tested DLP products

We tested multiple common endpoint scenarios, by trying to upload, print, email or otherwise transfer data that should be blocked, quarantined, warned about or simply monitored under the rules and policies we set up. The following specific types of endpoint tests were conducted:

First look: Microsoft Office 2013

The next revision of Office adds touches of Metro without itself being a Metro app

Microsoft System Center targets cloud, virtualization

With the revamped System Center 2012 suite of management tools, Microsoft has launched a powerful new weapon in the battle to control the virtualized data center and the cloud, both private and public.

Microsoft raises the bar with SQL Server 2012

While SQL Server 2008 was little more than a service-pack level upgrade, the 2012 version of Microsoft's database has a boatload of new features and delivers solid performance improvements.