IPS app available for free

Network managers looking for an inexpensive way to better secure traffic crossing their nets might want to check out a free application from Intoto.

Intoto, a provider of security software for enterprise network equipment and CPE gateways, last week at Interop, introduced a stand-alone intrusion-prevention system (IPS) application that the company says will help small and midsize companies looking for enterprise-scale security tools.

IntruPro IPS software can be downloaded onto a standard Linux x86 server and plugs in to the network in front of or behind an existing firewall. The company says the application is designed to prevent intruders from exploiting existing vulnerabilities on customer networks and computers, the vendor says.

IntruPro IPS uses signature detection, protocol anomaly and traffic-anomaly technologies to determine the source of potential threats and then alerts network administrators of the suspicious activity. It is designed with stateful application-inspection capabilities to help reduce false alarms, and because it sits in line with the firewall, as soon as the software detects an attack, it will drop the malicious packets before they reach their intended target, the company says.