This message comes to you from NetProLive(tm) -- the Web Developer/ Network Admin service. See below for more info on this list (including sub/unsub details). __________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE IPNetSentryX Raises the Bar for Mac OS X Firewalls CUMBERLAND, RI, June 17, 2003 -- Sustainable Softworks today released v1.0 of IPNetSentryX, an Internet firewall application for Macintosh computers running Mac OS X. What makes IPNetSentryX so unique is the ability to easily define hierarchial firewall rules. Like most conventional firewall products, including Apple's own built-in Personal Firewall, IPNetSentryX rules can be based on IP addresses, ports and protocols (services). But unlike conventional firewalls, IPNetSentryX also lets users base rules on the content of incoming datagrams (e.g. to detect worms). More importantly, IPNetSentryX easily lets users define which actions to take when rules are met. Such actions can be as simple as blocking an intruder (trigger), alerting you of the intrusion, sending off an email message pertaining to the intrusion, running a designated AppleScript, or any combination of the above. Here are a couple of often encountered situations where the capabilities offered by IPNetSentryX far surpass the capabilities offered by other personal firewalls: 1. Jim is a Mac OS X user who has a cable connection to the Internet. Because Jim's connection is "always on", he wants the protection afforded by a personal firewall. But he finds after enabling most personal firewalls, many of his Internet applications quit working (e.g. ICQ filesharing, network games, etc.). The problem is that the default configuration of most conventional firewalls only permits a few limited types of connections to a machine. To permit other types of connections, Jim must then research which ports and protocols the application uses, then "punch holes" in his existing firewall configuration for these ports and protocols. Not something that Jim, nor most Macintosh users, wish to spend their time doing. With IPNetSentryX running, all of Jim's Internet applications just work. There is no need for additional configuration. But "hackers" beware! IPNetSentryX is still watching over Jim's machine for suspicious incoming connection behavior (e.g. port scans, or connections to typically sought after "hacker" ports such as Telnet, RPC, SMTP, etc.). When such behavior is noted, IPNetSentryX is triggered so that the intruder is immediately blocked from accessing the user's machine. To the remote intruder it is as if the Jim's machine was never on the Internet. 2. Jane is a small business owner who runs the Apache web server built into Mac OS X. She is concerned, however, that her web log files are filling up with Code Red and Nimda type worm HTTP requests. By simply running IPNetSentryX on her Mac OS X machine, and checking the "Server Attacks" checkbox in the Rules tab of IPNetSentryX, all such worm intrusions are automatically deleted. AND the offending remote IP address is added to the trigger filters list, where it will remain for the next hour (thereby leaving Jane's server untouched). Valid HTTP requests from customers get in...intrusions from web based worms are dropped into the "bit bucket". IPNetSentryX is $40 and includes a free registration for IPNetSentry Classic. Registered users of IPNetSentryX Classic can upgrade to the OS X version for $20. All Sustainable Softworks products come with a 21-day free trial period and may be downloaded at <http://www.sustworks.com/site/downloads.html>. About Sustainable Softworks: Sustainable Softworks is a small privately owned company based in Cumberland, R.I. The company develops innovative and practical Macintosh networking solutions for individuals as well as Fortune 100 organizations. The company's website can be found at <http://www.sustworks.com>. __________________________ Please visit our sponsors: RadGad(sm): The Place for Useful Gifts & Gadgets.(sm) http://www.radgad.com/, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED], or 877-5-RADGAD MacTech(r) Magazine: The journal of Macintosh technology and development http://www.mactech.com, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED], or 805-494-9797 DevDepot(sm): Your Source for RAM, Technical & Developer Products http://www.devdepot.com, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] or call 877-DEPOT-NOW To submit a posting to NetProLive, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe to NetProLive, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the SUBJECT line reading "SUBSCRIBE NetProLive". To unsubscribe, the SUBJECT line should read "UNSUBSCRIBE NetProLive". MacTech, Developer Depot, RadGad, and Xplain Corporation are not responsible for any errors, omissions, or other inaccuracies in this message. News may be propagated freely, but please attribute your source as MacTech Magazine, <http://www.mactech.com>.
