Can home PCs provide a way for viruses and spyware to enter a corporate LAN?
May 27th, 2010
Britty Lewis asked:
Employees allowed to access their corporate PCs from their home PCs using some remote access control software, does this give a route into the corporate LAN for any viruses or spyware that may be on that home computer?
KISHOR
Employees allowed to access their corporate PCs from their home PCs using some remote access control software, does this give a route into the corporate LAN for any viruses or spyware that may be on that home computer?
KISHOR
Categories: Security | Tags: Access Control Software, Corporate Pcs, Remote Access
Chuong
Yes and no. Its a tough one. Mainly Viruses are transfer by files being sent and then opened. If they are only opening work stuff on the LAN should be OK
SHANNEL
Not unless the virus was programmed to exploit this protocol
Douglas
big oh yes.. but if you have a good antivirus and spyware , this will detect and block it. well, unless it is unblocked by a user. a virus now a days, will “ride” with an email and execute itself.. like ‘ backdoor’ virus. so, a good antivirus/spyware is the key to a worry free computing and if i may, the allowed employees should also have a similar or a corp approved antivirus/spyware software installed in their homes.
John
By all means, any unprotected home PC with access to a network represents a potential threat to your security.
Unlike desktops inside the company, there is no control over an employee’s home PC. There is probably — or should be — protection for desktops and workstations in the office: antivirus software, host-based firewalls, antispyware protection and more, depending on the organization’s risk profile. A home PC might not have the same controls that meet the company’s internal IT security standards.
The best idea, if practical for your company, is only to allow access to the network with company-provided equipment. Such equipment should have a standard build, uniform throughout the enterprise, and should have company-mandated controls meeting specific IT security standards.
MICHAEL
Once an infected computer gets behind the perimeter defenses of the network (router, gateway, firewalls, etc.) it can and does present a security threat.
Even in a remote access case, where somebody connects to their personal unit, that unit is then in the network. Cleverly written malware can and does seek any open ports, files, etc. to propagate itself.