iPods are security risk, warns analyst
Published: 05 Jul 2004 17:30 BST
Companies should consider banning portable storage devices such as Apple's iPod from corporate networks as they can be used to introduce malware or steal corporate data, according to an analyst.
Small portable storage products can bypass perimeter defences like firewalls and antivirus at the mailserver, and introduce malware such as Trojans or viruses onto company networks, claimed analyst Gartner in a report issued this week. Analysts have warned for some time of the dangers of using portable devices, but the report points out these also now include "disk-based MP3 players, such as Apple's iPod, and digital cameras with smart media cards, memory sticks, compact flash and other memory media."
Another potential danger is that the devices -- that typically make use of USB and FireWire -- could be used to steal large amounts of company data as they are faster to download to than CDs. Also the size of the portable devices means they can be easily misplaced or stolen.
Gartner advises that companies should forbid the use of uncontrolled, privately owned devices with corporate PCs and adopt personal firewalls to limit what can be done on USB ports.
"Businesses must ensure that the right procedures and technologies are adopted to securely manage the use of portable storage devices like USB 'keychain' drives. This will help to limit damage from malicious code, loss of proprietary information or intellectual property, and consequent lawsuits and loss of reputation," the report stated.
See ZDNet UK's Insight channel for the full version of the report.
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26 comments
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The sky is falling, the sky is falling Anonymous -
Headline makes it seem to be iPods only, but the s... Anonymous
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This is BS because if you have your virus software... Anonymous
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wel, duh!
Of course, isn't this obvious?
And iPods... Øyvind S
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Journalists Support Group Needed.
Is there so... Anonymous -
anything just to get the macusers to vis... con to read -
What a tosser, "iPod's are security risk"
Typical... What a bad story
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200 GB Hard Disks threaten security Warns this ana... Bob Hail
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Lets not forget to mock Gartner for their incredib... Øyvind S
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And the iPod has been out for what, three yea... Anonymous
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Q. How long have we known about this "vulner... Bonzodogg
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Haven't Gartner got something more original to tal... Anonymous
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Shouldn't this be obvious, what pap. People will a... Anonymous
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I suppose they will ban, Laptops with cd-burners a... Anonymous
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The only security risks are the following:
1. Inco... Anonymous
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ban suitcases too then...
after all, you can photo... Anonymous
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Analyst warns businesses to ban floppy disks... as... Anonymous
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Gartner == Idiots. The same thing can be done wit... Anonymous
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Idiots. Is it really necessary in this political c... Anonymous
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1. I bet the workstation had internet access lol
2... Anonymous
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Headline: Humans Are the Real Security Risk
I... Anon E. Muss
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Good grief people, Talk about Knee Jerk... Simon Walker
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...Oh my god, and cell phones should be banned too... Anonymous
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Comical
A lot of you are all taking the micke... Anonymous
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Well if Goverment agencies or Companies are concer... Anonymous
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Thats crazy! if ipods should be band than everythi... Anonymous
