NETSCOUT Delivers Free Tool Kit for Protecting Against SNMP-Related Attacks

14 Feb 2002

 

nGenius Real-Time Monitor Allows NetScout Customers to Minimize Risk Through Immediate Detection of Harmful Traffic

 

WESTFORD, Mass., Feb. 14 -- NetScout Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTCT) today announced that its customers can immediately adapt their nGenius(TM) monitoring solutions to help identify attacks and contain potential damage resulting from Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) related security risks. The threat, identified by CERT on February 12, 2002, exposes the risk to routers, switches and other SNMP- managed devices as being vulnerable to denial-of-service or other attacks.

NetScout is making available instructions and a tool kit that allow customers to immediately identify the abnormal levels of SNMP traffic and malicious packets that are at the core of this problem. The instructions are for configuring the nGenius system to profile SNMP traffic and immediately notify IT staff when an anomaly is observed. The tool kit enhances the probe so it examines SNMP traffic for rogue packets and captures information regarding the source and destination of the attack. With this, IT organizations are able to identify and minimize this new risk of network services interruption and/or failure.

In its February 13th Gartner FirstTake advisory, "Take Action Against SNMP Security Risks," Gartner cautioned enterprises to take action against these risks. "Any enterprise whose Internet operations are taken down, or damaged by hackers exploiting these security holes, is derelict in its operations if it hasn't taken action," said Bill Gassman, Research Director for Gartner.

"Protection against the damage caused by these threats is inherent in our nGenius system," said Michael Szabados, Senior Vice President of Product Operations for NetScout. "Visibility into these types of unexpected network traffic patterns allows IT staff to act quickly and gain control of potentially catastrophic situations. NetScout's approach to network management delivers independent, continuous monitoring of all network traffic, even in the event that SNMP management must be shut down on other pieces of network equipment. These tools will allow our customers to quickly and easily extend their nGenius solution into a valuable line of defense to stop security threats from spreading throughout the network."

Szabados added, "NetScout's products pose no risk to our customers' networks associated with this threat. Our passive monitoring approach allows the network to be managed without adding traffic, or affecting the performance of network equipment."

NetScout has tested its products against this threat. nGenius Real-Time Monitor is not affected. nGenius Capacity Planner, nGenius Application Service Level Manager, and NetScout Manager are presently being tested. A software update is being made available to mitigate any risk to NetScout probes and will be accessible along with the instructions and toolkit on Friday of this week. Please refer to NetScout's Web site at: http://www.netscout.com/support/index.htm.

About nGenius

NetScout's nGenius(TM) Performance Management System helps organizations increase their return on infrastructure investments by optimizing the performance of their network and its ability to deliver applications and content to end-users. It delivers comprehensive, integrated performance information generated by NetScout's line of application-aware probes and active agents, plus network devices.

NetScout's nGenius Real-Time Monitor is a software solution that measures Web and application performance and troubleshoots network problems -- all in real-time -- before they affect the end-user. It also continuously tracks and analyzes voice, video and data traffic and conducts packet-level analysis. nGenius Real-Time Monitor integrates the high-quality performance information gathered by NetScout's application-aware probes, to provide unparalleled visibility and control of your network.

About NetScout Systems

NetScout Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTCT) is a market leader and pioneer of integrated infrastructure performance management solutions for leading companies and service providers worldwide. NetScout serves the Global 2000 and counts among its customers AmericanGreetings.com, ArvinMeritor, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Cable and Wireless, Cisco Systems, China Telecom, Fidelity Investments, Getronics, Goodyear Tire & Rubber, Hold Brothers, Nextel Communications, Northwest Airlines, Optimus Telecommunications, Samsung SDS, Siemens Health Services Corporation, Starband Communications, Travelocity.com, Visa International, and Wachovia Bank. NetScout's solutions are offered through its nGenius(TM) Performance Management System, an integrated solutions-based suite of advanced monitoring and reporting applications that draw on the rich performance data generated by NetScout's real-time, application-aware probe suite, advanced intelligent software agents, and network devices. The nGenius System helps organizations increase their return on infrastructure investments by optimizing the performance of their network, applications and content. NetScout is headquartered in Westford, Massachusetts and has approximately 360 employees, with offices in North America, Europe and Asia. Further information on the company is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.netscout.com.

NetScout is a registered trademark, and the NetScout logo, nGenius, nGenius Application Service Level Manager, nGenius Real-Time Monitor, nGenius Capacity Planner and nGenius Probe are trademarks of NetScout Systems, Inc.

     For Further Information:
     Peggy Flynn                   Dustin Smith or John Moran
     NetScout Systems              Schwartz Communications, Inc.
     (978) 614-4162                (781) 684-0770
     flynnp@netscout.com           netscout@schwartz-pr.com

SOURCE NetScout Systems, Inc.

Web site: http://www.netscout.com

CONTACT: Peggy Flynn of NetScout Systems, +1-978-614-4162,
flynnp@netscout.com; or Dustin Smith or John Moran of Schwartz
Communications, Inc., +1-781-684-0770, netscout@schwartz-pr.com