Spyware-Blocking Made Easier

Barracuda Networks Inc. last week unveiled a spyware-blocking and Web-content-filtering appliance.

Spyware--small applications that plant themselves in a computer and, unbeknownst to the user, collect and transmit information--has become a costly problem for IT departments. The Barracuda Spyware Firewall is designed to prevent such applications from gathering and transmitting personal user data and infiltrating the LAN. The firewall appliance is easier to install and doesn't require as much time, IT resources, and money to maintain as client-based anti-spyware products, according to Barracuda.

The appliance uses signature and rule-based blocking techniques to prevent spyware from taking action and also will check for viruses by combining file-type blocking, dual-level virus checking, and decompression of archives. A control center constantly monitors Web sites for spyware infractions and creates a blacklist.

A perimeter approach to blocking spyware works, especially with desktop systems, which don't roam, one analyst says. "Customers can get more bang for their bucks, protecting many desktops in one fell swoop," says Pete Lindstrom, founder of analyst firm Spire Security. "Such perimeter coverage means laying off a lot of maintenance nightmares tied to client management."