Comments on: NetworkWorld: iPods are ’security threat’ http://theappleblog.com/2007/04/11/networkworld-ipods-are-security-threat/ TheAppleBlog, published by and for the day-to-day Apple user, is a prominent source for news, reviews, walkthroughs, and real life application of all Apple products. Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:36:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Sarah http://theappleblog.com/2007/04/11/networkworld-ipods-are-security-threat/#comment-105109 Sarah Thu, 03 May 2007 12:43:55 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/04/11/networkworld-ipods-are-security-threat/#comment-105109 I think publications are focusing on iPods primarily due to recent media news such as the pod slurping issue (<a href="http://www.sharp-ideas.net/pod_slurping.php" rel="nofollow">http://www.sharp-ideas.net/pod_slurping.php</a>). As Brian commented, the media should not just focus on iPods period. USB sticks, CDs, floppies etc pose just as much and the same kind of threat as iPods do. And I believe it's wrong to promote the 'banning of portable devices' as a solutions to this 'problem' or a security measure for this threat.That is so counter productive! There are software tools available which can just show you what's hooked on your network and you can control who has access to what, and who has the rights to read/write to portable devices. Very simple and very effective, without the needs to ban anything really. Have you ever wondered what portable devices are hooked/and have been hooked to the computers on your network? You'd be surprised. One way to find this out is by running this online tool, <a href="http://www.endpointscan" rel="nofollow">EndPointScan</a>. It's very quick and free to use, good to give you an insight on where your and your network stands with this whole portable storage security issue. I think publications are focusing on iPods primarily due to recent media news such as the pod slurping issue (http://www.sharp-ideas.net/pod_slurping.php). As Brian commented, the media should not just focus on iPods period. USB sticks, CDs, floppies etc pose just as much and the same kind of threat as iPods do. And I believe it’s wrong to promote the ‘banning of portable devices’ as a solutions to this ‘problem’ or a security measure for this threat.That is so counter productive! There are software tools available which can just show you what’s hooked on your network and you can control who has access to what, and who has the rights to read/write to portable devices. Very simple and very effective, without the needs to ban anything really. Have you ever wondered what portable devices are hooked/and have been hooked to the computers on your network? You’d be surprised. One way to find this out is by running this online tool, EndPointScan. It’s very quick and free to use, good to give you an insight on where your and your network stands with this whole portable storage security issue.

]]> By: Liquidmatrix Security Digest » NetworkWorld: iPods are ’security threat’ http://theappleblog.com/2007/04/11/networkworld-ipods-are-security-threat/#comment-104113 Liquidmatrix Security Digest » NetworkWorld: iPods are ’security threat’ Thu, 12 Apr 2007 18:01:31 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/04/11/networkworld-ipods-are-security-threat/#comment-104113 [...] Article Link [...] [...] Article Link [...]

]]> By: Honza http://theappleblog.com/2007/04/11/networkworld-ipods-are-security-threat/#comment-104078 Honza Thu, 12 Apr 2007 08:06:01 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/04/11/networkworld-ipods-are-security-threat/#comment-104078 Geez. This is just what we need, another crackdown of our freedoms in the workplace. Don't get me wrong, I don't see many companies taking this obvious 'scaremongering sales pitch' seriously, but it only takes one knee-jerk reactionary process manager (and we have lots of them here in IBM) to decide that this is a good thing, and we will be banned from even bringing our basic (non-mp3 or flash based) mobile phones into the office. As for why, Brian, that they chose to focus on the iPod, it's obvious that it's because the iPod is the leading market share 'mp3 player' and the name 'ipod' can be subconsciously applied to ANY music playing or memory capable device. You just watch, we will have to switch back to CD players, and then they'll probably be banned too. Geez. This is just what we need, another crackdown of our freedoms in the workplace.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t see many companies taking this obvious ’scaremongering sales pitch’ seriously, but it only takes one knee-jerk reactionary process manager (and we have lots of them here in IBM) to decide that this is a good thing, and we will be banned from even bringing our basic (non-mp3 or flash based) mobile phones into the office.

As for why, Brian, that they chose to focus on the iPod, it’s obvious that it’s because the iPod is the leading market share ‘mp3 player’ and the name ‘ipod’ can be subconsciously applied to ANY music playing or memory capable device. You just watch, we will have to switch back to CD players, and then they’ll probably be banned too.

]]> By: Brian http://theappleblog.com/2007/04/11/networkworld-ipods-are-security-threat/#comment-104042 Brian Wed, 11 Apr 2007 19:18:17 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/04/11/networkworld-ipods-are-security-threat/#comment-104042 I'm not sure why they chose to focus on iPods,and not something like usb drives, which are much easier to do malicious things with. I have heard of companies filing the usb plugs with epoxy to prevent some of these types of things. I have no idea how widespread this is, though. I’m not sure why they chose to focus on iPods,and not something like usb drives, which are much easier to do malicious things with.

I have heard of companies filing the usb plugs with epoxy to prevent some of these types of things. I have no idea how widespread this is, though.

]]> By: Alan http://theappleblog.com/2007/04/11/networkworld-ipods-are-security-threat/#comment-104041 Alan Wed, 11 Apr 2007 19:16:16 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/04/11/networkworld-ipods-are-security-threat/#comment-104041 Let's not forget flash drives and online storage. While emailing yourself documents could be traceable with a company's email server or storing files online could show up on the gateway server, flash drives, iPods, and optical media are less traceable. I guess you better buy their products! I don't see Apple banning iPods at work, so I feel I am safe! Let’s not forget flash drives and online storage. While emailing yourself documents could be traceable with a company’s email server or storing files online could show up on the gateway server, flash drives, iPods, and optical media are less traceable. I guess you better buy their products!

I don’t see Apple banning iPods at work, so I feel I am safe!

]]> By: David Bailie http://theappleblog.com/2007/04/11/networkworld-ipods-are-security-threat/#comment-104036 David Bailie Wed, 11 Apr 2007 17:28:46 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/04/11/networkworld-ipods-are-security-threat/#comment-104036 And while we're banning iPods et al, lets also equip all companies with the same memory-erasing device they had in Men In Black. Because with the passwords we probably all remember, bringing down the company is just around the corner. Umm, paranoia anyone? And while we’re banning iPods et al, lets also equip all companies with the same memory-erasing device they had in Men In Black. Because with the passwords we probably all remember, bringing down the company is just around the corner.

Umm, paranoia anyone?

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