GFI Languard
A recent encounter with a virus took my computer out of commission for almost a week. We actually had to wipe the hard drive and start from scratch. Good thing I only had the desktop and not a network of computers or I’d have really been in trouble.
GFI gave me a heads up on their new product, GFI Languard. GFI Languard is a network security scanner suitable for networks of all sizes including soho (small office - home office) such as the one I’d like to create in the future. This product has won awards year after year since 2002. It’s no wonder it is considered the #1 Windows commercial security scanner (voted by Nmap users for two years running).
What GFI LANguard does is scan the entire network for computers and then scan the computers for areas vulnerable to attack. Once the network scan is complete the software creates a report of which computers are vulnerable, what the vulnerabilities are and what the solutions are to those problems. Once you’ve got the report you can apply service packs, updates, patches as well as address other issues immediately with a couple of clicks.
I was fascinated by how many things a LANguard network audit can reveal, including which machines have weak passwords, where USB devices are connected, where unauthorized software was installed and what hardware has been added or removed since your previous audit. It will also tell you hardware specifics including memory, processors, display adapters, storage devices, motherboard details, printers, and ports in use.
GFI LANguard is available for companies with ten or more ip addresses and can be purchased directly from GFI or through one of their resellers. GFI recently announced that a fully functioning freeware version that will scan up to 5 ip addresses is available.
