Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Subscribe
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Subscribe
    Home Latest News
    • Networking

    SNMP Threat Shows Why IT Cant Afford to Be Shortsighted

    Written by

    Cameron Sturdevant
    Published February 14, 2002
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

      A network security audit should be near the top of IT managers list of things to do since Tuesdays disclosure of the existence of a test tool that, when used maliciously, can overcome SNMPv1 (Simple Network Management Protocol, version 1) in a wide variety of caching devices, routers, switches, printers and a myriad of other infrastructure devices.

      Instead of making the security audit the first step in a remediation plan, eWEEK Labs recommends that IT managers take this occasion to put together a plan that enables ongoing management of the wide range of devices that are threatened.

      A security audit is a good opportunity to manage devices with both short-term and long-term perspectives to reduce IT costs and improve business processes. The short-term response to the current threat is to apply the specific patch for SNMP 1. For the long term, IT departments should systematically upgrade their operating systems.

      Over the past several months, eWEEK Labs has advocated simplifying networks, systems and applications to improve security. In this case, SNMP commonly uses TCP ports 161 and 162, 191 (both TCP and UDP) along with three or four others. A good fix is to use a port scan tool to see if these ports are open. Next determine if the processes supported by these ports are needed. If yes, leave them open, but monitor their use. If no, consider turning them off.

      This is a great example of a short-term solution. Combined with a quick check of the equipment vendors Web site for a patch to the SNMP code, managers should be able to make the equipment as good as gold.

      Now repeat for 3,000 or 4,000 devices.

      This is where the long-term management strategy must equipment and determining operating system versions is essential for this type of project in order to reduce IT operational costs.

      In the case of the SNMP attack, eWEEK Labs advises that IT managers take the time to do the project right. Although reports show that the tool, designed by the Oulu University Secure Programming Group, is likely circulating underground, many SNMP-equipped devices are obsolete and are no longer supported by their manufacturers. Thus, a plan that combines shielding the network from SNMP probes while locating affected devices and installing updated software images is both urgent and massive. Putting plans in place to track and update software versions on these devices—not just fixing the current problem—is an essential step for IT to proactively strengthen network security.

      E-mail eWEEK Labs Senior Analyst Cameron Sturdevant

      Cameron Sturdevant
      Cameron Sturdevant
      Cameron Sturdevant is the executive editor of Enterprise Networking Planet. Prior to ENP, Cameron was technical analyst at PCWeek Labs, starting in 1997. Cameron finished up as the eWEEK Labs Technical Director in 2012. Before his extensive labs tenure Cameron paid his IT dues working in technical support and sales engineering at a software publishing firm . Cameron also spent two years with a database development firm, integrating applications with mainframe legacy programs. Cameron's areas of expertise include virtual and physical IT infrastructure, cloud computing, enterprise networking and mobility. In addition to reviews, Cameron has covered monolithic enterprise management systems throughout their lifecycles, providing the eWEEK reader with all-important history and context. Cameron takes special care in cultivating his IT manager contacts, to ensure that his analysis is grounded in real-world concern. Follow Cameron on Twitter at csturdevant, or reach him by email at [email protected].

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Artificial Intelligence

      9 Best AI 3D Generators You Need...

      Sam Rinko - June 25, 2024 0
      AI 3D Generators are powerful tools for many different industries. Discover the best AI 3D Generators, and learn which is best for your specific use case.
      Read more
      Cloud

      RingCentral Expands Its Collaboration Platform

      Zeus Kerravala - November 22, 2023 0
      RingCentral adds AI-enabled contact center and hybrid event products to its suite of collaboration services.
      Read more
      Artificial Intelligence

      8 Best AI Data Analytics Software &...

      Aminu Abdullahi - January 18, 2024 0
      Learn the top AI data analytics software to use. Compare AI data analytics solutions & features to make the best choice for your business.
      Read more
      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Video

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2024 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.