Firewalls for remote 'always-on' connections
 
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Axent recently introduced PowerVPN, a collection of products that includes a firewall for remote virtual private network client PCs.
The company says the reason for the firewall is to address a VPN security problem that comes hand-in-hand with high-speed Internet access technologies: the connection to the 'Net is always on.
That is important to consider when building remote access VPNs. If remote users dial in to the VPN, that gives them a certain degree of security. The connection is established, then broken when the user hangs up. Chances are the ISP issues a different IP address each time the user logs on. Both of those factors make it difficult for potential intruders to gain access to the remote PC and through it gain access to the VPN.
But with higher bandwidth connections such as digital subscriber line and cable modems, remote PCs are always connected to the Internet. If the user logs on to the VPN and leaves the connection up all day, that affords plenty of time for intruders to discover the machine and to work their way into the VPN.
Axent is not the only vendor to offer such a personal firewall, but its availability is a reminder that the always-on danger should not be overlooked.
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Tim Greene is a senior editor at Network World, covering virtual private networking gear, remote access, core switching and local phone companies. You can reach him at tgreene@nww.com.
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Axent Technologies to ship PowerVPN
Network World, 01/06/2000.
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