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 Another growing trend in the workplace is Peer-to-Peer programs. These file-sharing programs are built so that information can be shared equally and conveniently, but their use can have serious consequences for your organization. Viruses, worms, trojans and botnets can be shared easily along with legitimate files. And since much of P2P activity is automatic, the threats can go unnoticed until it's too late. Even some of the P2P programs themselves contain spyware, furthering their ability to invade your network and obtain confidential information from your users or introduce unwanted and damaging agents.
In one recent event, a well known pharmaceutical company comprised the data of approximately 16,000 current and former employees because of file-sharing software downloaded onto a company laptop. Even though the download itself was done with no ill intention, the results were just as harmful as a malicious attack. The company was forced to disable file sharing on all company-issued laptops from then on although the damage had been done.
Unfortunately, as with other Internet threats, there seems to be no reduction in P2P applications, despite law enforcement efforts to curtail illegal sharing of pirated music and film files. Even worse, as long as hackers can write P2P applications, your organization will be vulnerable unless you can block P2P traffic at the perimeter.
Only rarely does a P2P application have a legitimate business use on your network. The iPrism Web Filter allows you to block any or all P2P applications and ensure that no proprietary information leaves your organization via this hidden "escape tunnel". This ensures that you are also blocking an often-overlooked entry point for viruses, worms and other malicious agents.
> Security Breaches
> Legal Liability
> Regulatory Compliance
> Productivity Loss
> Inappropriate Content
> Anti-Virus
> Kernel-Level Technology
> Anonymizers
> Effective ePolicy Strategy
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