Security Basics mailing list archives

Re: A Good Reverse Proxy Product


From: Adriel Desautels <adriel () netragard com>
Date: Thu, 01 May 2008 11:22:48 -0400

Paul,
I'm fairly fond of custom reverse proxies with Mod Security built in. We've built and deployed quite a few of those. When they are configured right they provide a pretty decent layer of defense.

Regards,
        Adriel T. Desautels
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        Netragard, LLC.
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Jon Kibler wrote:
Paul Guibord wrote:
Greetings to all,

We have a new MS Exchange server and the administrator wants to provide remote Outlook Web Access access to it from the 
internet.
As opposed to having a direct outside to inside translation to it I was told that we could put a reverse proxy server 
in the DMZ and then provide a DMZ to inside translation form there.

First of all does this sound like the safest approach and if so can anyone provide the name of a good stable/secure 
reverse proxy product.

Thanks,

Paul


Paul,

Besides remote web access for Lookout -- I'm sorry, I mean Outlook --
what other factors are driving this request / need?
   -- Caching data for frequently visited sites?
   -- Restricting what can be accessed on the web?
   -- Network admission control?
   -- Malware scanning?
   -- Cost?
   -- Performance?

I never trust software to do anything that cheap hardware can do better.
 Any NAT functionality is functionality best performed by a router or
firewall.

What type of network connection to you have?
   -- DSL? Get a Cisco877 SEC K9. It supports inbound static NAT. But,
even better, it supports SSL VPNs for web access to internal services
such as email -- and other high-end security features not found on most
DSL routers. (Plus, it is a lot cheaper than buying a windows box and ISA!)
   -- T1 to 4xT1? Get a Cisco2811. Supports all of the above and more.
   -- > 4xT1? You definitely do NOT want a proxy like ISA!

Again, always go with hardware! It may sometimes cost a few more $$ up
front, but any difference will pay for itself in no time at all.

Now if your REALLY have security as an objective, you want to look at
something like websense or surfcontrol. I like websense primarily
because you can do content filtering on the fly in any of the 28xx or
87x series routers. You would be surprised how much less malware you
will get with such a solution.

DISCLAIMER: I am not associated with any of the vendors or products I
mentioned above.

Hope this helps!

Jon Kibler

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