Remote access: don't be a victim

Abstract

The theft of source code for Symantec's pcAnywhere has put remote access programmes in the spotlight. But the security implications posed by remote management products are not new. In fact, data released over the past year shows that poorly configured remote access programmes routinely account for 62% of data breaches and network security incidents. So what precautions can people take to make sure they aren't an easy target? Historically, attackers went after large corporate entities. But as this has become more difficult, they're opting for smaller remote locations because they can accomplish the same thing with only a little more effort. It's imperative that businesses, large and small, take the time to evaluate their remote access software because companies are routinely exposing systems inside their network to outside attackers, and more often than not the only security is a poorly chosen password, explains Kurt Bager of Netop.