Panda USB Vaccine Stops Conficker and other Malware in its Tracks by Disabling AutoRun from Removable Media such as CD/DVD Drives

Panda Security, a world leader in IT security, announced that it is offering Panda USB Vaccine, a free security solution designed to block malware which spreads through removable drives such as pen drives, CD/DVD drives, and other data storage devices. There is an increasing amount of malware which, like the dangerous Conficker worm, spreads via these removable drives to devices such as MP3 players, PCs, and digital cameras. The Panda USB Vaccine protects removable drives from this threat and keeps systems safe from malware infection. This free tool can be downloaded from: http://www.pandasecurity.com/usa/homeusers/downloads/usbvaccine/.

The basic technique used for malware infection is as follows: Windows uses the Autorun.inf file on these drives or devices to determine which action to take when they are connected to the computer. This file, which is on the device’s root directory, offers the option to define a program to automatically run part of the content stored on the device when it connects to the computer. Cyber-crooks are increasingly using this feature to spread viruses through the modification of Autorun.inf with commands so that malware stored on the USB drive, for example, is run automatically when the device connects to a computer. This will immediately infect the computer in question.

In response to this trend Panda Security, through its Panda Research division, has developed Panda USB Vaccine, a free product which offers a double layer of preventive protection, allowing users to disable the AutoRun feature on their computers as well as on USB drives and other devices.

“This is a very useful tool as there is no easy and intuitive way of disabling the AutoRun feature in Windows,” explains Pedro Bustamante, senior research advisor at Panda Security. “Panda USB Vaccine makes it simple for users to provide their systems with a high level of security against infections through removable drives and devices.”

Panda Security

Panda Security is one of the world’s leading IT security providers, with millions of clients around the globe and products available in over twenty languages. Our mission is to keep our customers’ information and IT assets safe from security threats, giving them the most effective protection with the minimum resource consumption.

Every day, thousands of new malicious codes are created. To combat this threat, Panda Security has developed an innovative and unique security model which can automatically analyze and classify thousands of new malware samples. This model is collective intelligence and ensures that Panda Security solutions can protect against far more threats than the products of any other company. The exceptional detection capacity of collective intelligence can be put to the test at the Infected or Not website (http://www.infectedornot.com/)


The company also further facilitates device sharing with 4-Port USB Net ShareStation, helping organizations save money by reducing hardware purchases

Small offices and homes with multiple computers can now easily share USB printers and other USB devices with IOGEAR’s new 2-Port USB 2.0 Printer Auto Sharing Switch. IOGEAR also today launched its 4-Port USB Net ShareStation, which lets individuals share up to four USB devices through a home or office network. Both products leverage existing resources and minimize spending by allowing users to share computing products.

The 2-Port USB 2.0 Printer Auto Sharing Switch is the only automatic printer switch compatible with Macs and PCs. It comes with two USB cables that users hook up to their computers. Once connected to a USB printer, the Switch automatically recognizes which machine a print job is coming from, allowing users to print anytime without hassle. The 2-Port USB 2.0 Printer Auto Sharing Switch does not require an external power source and has LED indicators to show which computer has USB access. It is compatible with Windows(R) 2000, XP and Vista as well as Mac OS X 10.3.9 or greater and is available immediately for $39.95 (MSRP).

The 4-Port USB Net ShareStation lets small offices and homeowners share resources by enabling multiple users to access up to four USB devices, such as external hard drives, printers and scanners, across a network. In addition, when the device is hooked up to a wireless router, users can wirelessly access the connected peripherals, saving cable clutter and set-up headaches. The product is compatible with Windows 2000, XP and Vista and will be available in March 2009 for $99.95 (MSRP).

“As a consumer electronics leader, we continue to launch products that facilitate connectivity and sharing. We believe these types of solutions will become even more popular this year as individuals and businesses look for ways to maximize resources and minimize spending,” said Miranda Su, IOGEAR executive vice president. “These newest additions to our Desktop and Networking product families help organizations reduce physical and financial waste.”

For further information on IOGEAR and its solutions, please visit www.iogear.com.


New Technology Handles Higher Currents and Voltages, Improves Resistance Stability and Allows Bourns to Introduce One of the Smallest Lines of Polymer PTC Resettable Fuses

Bourns, Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of electronic components, announced that the company has developed freeXpansion(TM), a new technology added to the company’s entire line of Multifuse(R) surface mount polymer positive temperature coefficient (PTC) resettable fuses. This new technology increases the performance of the fuse with the ability to handle higher currents and voltages, improves its resistance stability and allows for a smaller footprint. Due to its new freeXpansion technology, Bourns is able to introduce one of the smallest families of PTCs on the market with a size of 0603, designated the Bourns MF-FSMF Series. Bourns’ Multifuse surface mount devices manufactured using the freeXpansion process is designed to meet next-generation electronics smaller size and high current requirements. Multifuse devices are an optimal overcurrent circuit protection solution for broad range of equipment including products with USB 2.0, USB 3.0 and HDMI ports and in consumer electronics and automotive electronics applications.

Polymer PTC resettable fuses expand when an overcurrent event occurs and contracts when they reset. The freeXpansion technology allows the device to freely expand and contract without mechanical restrictions for more stable performance, extended product life and to be manufactured in a smaller size.

“Bourns Multifuse products with freeXpansion offer distinct competitive advantages for our customers enabling reliable circuit protection across a broader range of applications,” said Brian Ahearne, technical marketing manager for Bourns’ Multifuse products. “As more and more electronic products become portable with design space constraints, Bourns Multifuse devices match application requirements for a smaller package and the ability to handle higher currents and voltages helping our OEM customers protect their valuable circuits from overcurrent conditions.”

Bourns Multifuse devices act as critical circuit protection components by limiting dangerous current surges, such as short circuits in electrical equipment. These devices provide secure protection as they react to an over-current event by changing from a very low resistive state to a very high resistive state. This is also referred to as the positive temperature coefficient effect or PTC effect. Once the overcurrent surge has passed, the Multifuse device automatically resets to its low resistive state and allows the equipment to resume operation.

Pricing and Availability

Bourns’ line of surface mount Multifuse devices with new freeXpansion technology is available now. For complete model numbers and sizes, go to Bourns’ site at http://www.bourns.com/multifuse. As a pricing reference, devices with freeXpansion are priced from $0.25-$0.35 in 6,000 piece quantities.


Obtains USB-IF Certification and Meets TSMC9000 Standards in 40nm

MIPS Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of industry-standard architectures, processors and analog IP for digital consumer, home networking, wireless, communications and business applications, announced that its 40nm USB 2.0 High-Speed PHY IP achieved certification from the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) and met TSMC’s TSMC9000 standards in its 40nm LP process. MIPS Technologies has among the world’s highest number of USB IP certifications across numerous foundries and technology nodes, with the majority in TSMC processes.

A wide range of next-generation consumer electronic products require compact area and minimal power consumption, so integrated USB solutions must also meet these criteria. With areas below 0.6mm(2) and power consumption below 80mW, MIPS Technologies’ USB 2.0 High-Speed PHY IP is an extremely compact and low-power solution. Advanced programmability allows developers to fine-tune their system’s analog parameters, maximizing performance results in silicon. By leveraging PHY IP that is certified compliant with the full USB 2.0 specification, customers are assured of interoperability with other USB 2.0 devices.

“SoC developers are moving to advanced technology nodes to reduce costs for many high-volume mobile and consumer devices, and they need a high-quality, reliable and interoperable USB solution,” said Celio Albuquerque, director of Physical Connectivity Solutions, Analog Business Group, MIPS Technologies. “Following our recent announcement of the industry’s first 40nm USB PHY IP and first USB-certified 1.8v 45nm USB PHY IP, we are pleased to announce these new milestones. As a TSMC partner, we are committed to offering early access to proven IP in the most advanced nodes, helping customers get to market quickly at the lowest cost and fastest time to integration.”

“We work closely with our IP partners such as MIPS Technologies to make high-quality USB PHY IP available for advanced processes,” said ST Juang, senior director of Design Infrastructure Marketing at TSMC. “MIPS Technologies’ USB 2.0 PHY product met our TSMC9000 standards at the 40nm node. With the combination of MIPS’ 40nm certified USB PHY and TSMC technology, customers have access to a robust, low-power solution for their next-generation products.”

MIPS Technologies offers the broadest USB IP portfolio in the market, with silicon-proven and certified solutions in all major foundries and processes–including half nodes–backed by deep USB expertise and professional engineering support. MIPS Technologies has more than 90 USB PHY IP customers worldwide with more than 200 USB 2.0 PHY instantiations, more than 30 USB 2.0 certified products in mass-production, and more than 200 million high-speed USB chips produced to-date. MIPS Technologies was first in the market to offer a choice of 2.5v and 1.8v transistors for USB PHYs.

Source: MIPS Technologies, Inc.


Offers Enterprises and Individuals Strong Security that Follows Shared Information No Matter Where it Goes

There is a growing awareness that sensitive information is at risk when it is shared with a third party such as a consultant, service provider or outsourcer. A recent survey published by the Ponemon Institute (2008 Annual Study: Cost of a Data Breach, U.S.) showed that the percent of data breaches attributed to third parties has grown to 44 percent (up from 21 percent in 2005). To address the problem of secure data exchange, Egress Software Technologies announced today the availability of Switch, an innovative new data protection solution for both individuals and enterprises.

Delivered in a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model, Egress Switch allows organizations to wrap controls around the information they share and ensures that data is not carelessly handled by its intended recipient, even after it has left the data owner’s physical presence. Unlike other encryption or rights management products, Egress Switch is easy to use, operates on any data or media type, and has no complex infrastructure. Egress Switch encrypts shared information, allows access to only authorized recipients, enables security parameters to be set or changed in real-time and offers an audit trail of successful or failed access attempts.

“For City and Hackney Teaching Primary Care Trust, we needed a simple, easy-to-use solution to ensure that all forms of information shared with our General Practitioners, health partners and other agencies will remain secure when it has left our hands,” said Tim Wilson, Head of ICT at City and Hackney Teaching Primary Care Trust. “We selected Egress Switch because it addresses secure data exchange in a very unique way that is not available from other suppliers today – encrypting the information on any type of media, maintaining full control over data during and after its exchange, and streamlining the workflow of sharing. The Switch solution addresses encryption requirements placed on the Trust by the Department of Health and gives us peace of mind that we’re taking every precaution necessary to keep sensitive personal identifiable information safe from exposure.”

Egress Switch allows an information owner to package their sensitive information using strong AES 256-bit encryption on any type of media such as a CD/DVD, USB stick or file. Once packaged, the secured information can be sent to a recipient either electronically through email, web, FTP, or physically through regular mail or in-person. The owner can then set or change security policies independent of the package through a service in the cloud. Security policies can include authorizing recipients and limiting recipient access. These changes can be made in real time, even after the information is sent or shared. This allows a user to “pull information back” if it needs to be recalled.

“Even though controlling your own data sounds simple, most organizations still struggle with this issue and turn to data protection offerings such as encryption and data leak prevention to help them keep their information secure,” said Bob Egner, U.S. President of Egress Software Technologies. “While those tools are important, they offer no guarantees about who is accessing data once it has left a user’s hands. We believe that our Switch solution addresses a major gap in today’s data protection offerings, allowing any organization or individual that needs to share information externally to do so safely and affordably by using this simple tool.”

Egress Switch also offers a complete view of when the information recipient has opened or used the shared information, as well as unauthorized access attempts, providing an audit trail. The owner can then easily track activity of their shared information through logs arranged by package or recipient.

“Individuals and organizations that share information must consider the ramifications if their data ends up in the wrong hands,” said Richard Stiennon, chief analyst and founder of security research firm IT-Harvest. “If there is a need to stay in control, even after the information has been shared, a simple and affordable secure data exchange solution makes a lot of sense as part of a comprehensive data protection strategy.”

Egress Switch is available immediately with a special introductory offer of free use for the first 30 days. It currently supports the most widely used operating systems, Microsoft Windows Vista and XP. Pricing for individual users starts with a pay-as-you-go model or a monthly subscription at $9.49 per month, while annual subscriptions for businesses begin at $34.00 per year. For more information on Egress Switch or to sign up for the special introductory offer, please visit www.egress.com.

Source: Egress Software Technologies





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