Re: Spy-Ware Detection for Small Networks

[Guru4u Support <support () guru4u co uk>]

Spybot also has the added advantage of being able to /immunize 
/individual pc's from common threats which can be very useful and would 
require no monitoring. I personally find Adaware to be the better 
removal tool at the moment due to the number of definition updates it 
gets but if run alongside spybots immunization function it is very 
effective on my home pc. I believe Adaware Pro does run in the 
background of pc's thus negating the need to constantly run it but im 
not sure about using it on linux.. Not sure about the other methods as 
i'm no expert on such things.

Regards,

Guru


Thiago Lima wrote:

>    I run several small networks using a Linux Server to act as a
> Firewall/Proxy HTTP/Mail server/Caching DNS/DHCP/Samba File Server for
> Windows networks (98/XP/2000).
>
>    I also do desktop maintanance and I'm seening a growing problem in
> Spy-wares and malware. It is becaming unmanageable to deal with it.
>
>    I've tryed to educate users, but they really seen not care, they click
> on everything they can. 
>
>    So I'm looking for some solutions that can make my life easier, and I
> want some comments on what I've came thru to try to find a balance between
> all solutions that can prevent most infections and keep the usability of the
> system.
>
>    1) Spy-bot : Looks to me that it is the best tool to remove
> spyware/malware, but it is host directed. It's hard to run it on all
> machines periodically. There's any way to centralize it ? Or there's any
> other program that will run in a centralized way?
>
>    2) Firewall blocking List : I've seen some IP lists that will prevent
> spywares to "call home". It is usefull to detect machines that are infected
> and blocking spyware to call home, but it does not prevent users from
> getting dirty. It helps a lot and I'm using
> http://www.geocities.com/yosponge/ list. Does anyone knows others lists?
>
>    3) Content filtering : Viruses spreads by mail, spyware/malware spreads
> mostly by HTTP. Maybe filtering some words/parterns in HTTP Proxy I could
> block some problems.  Dans-Gaurdian seens to be a solution for this. Does
> any one knows any list of words/sites, file extensions or any alternative to
> this?
>
>    4) Removing user access to his own machine : Removing users privilegies
> (at least in XP/20000) will make spyware/malware infection harder or not?
> Looks to me that at least IE infections still contiunes. At opinion on that?
>
>    5) IDS : Using snort or any other IDS will help me with malware/spyware
> detection?
>   
>    Is that all I can do? I'm open to any tip, solution or reading that can
> help me with this annoing problem.
>
>
> Regards and thanks in advanced for all replys,
> Thiago Madeira de Lima.
>
>
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>  



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Ethical Hacking at the InfoSec Institute. Mention this ad and get $545 off 
any course! All of our class sizes are guaranteed to be 10 students or less 
to facilitate one-on-one interaction with one of our expert instructors. 
Attend a course taught by an expert instructor with years of in-the-field 
pen testing experience in our state of the art hacking lab. Master the skills 
of an Ethical Hacker to better assess the security of your organization. 
Visit us at: 
http://www.infosecinstitute.com/courses/ethical_hacking_training.html
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