[Chantelle]

http://www.yoggie.com/

heard about these

anyone tried one? supposed to be brilliant and never a need for any security stuff on your PC?

[saunby]

Hmm, not heard of this before and I just browsed the site very quickly but that looks like an excellent idea

[FlapJack23]

If you use linux, you don't need AV.

[Chantelle]

If you use linux, you don't need AV.

? yeah I kinda know lol, although there are linux virii

I dont really get what your saying

I am not saying you have to use it.. I wondered if anyone using windows had bought one.

Either that or you mis understood what it was

[jawfin]

As Chantelle said, this isn't an AV; its internet security.
Looks to be a very capable solution.
But for us who can't or don't to afford this as a solution, the best PC security is these 3 points: -
1. Good antivirus, I recommend AVG 8.01 Free.
2. Good software firewall, use COMODO.
3. Run your primary XP account as a limited account (get a program like sudown for temporary access to an admin account).

This isn't just a suggestion list from a peer. I am a self-employed Internet security expert with many years of hardening servers and systems. This list is the minimum required as gleaned from my education and also in my experience for a home PC.

[Chantelle]

Id always recommend a two layer soft and hard firewall protection where possible.

Good to see another IT Engineers point of view.

I am going to a remote site tomorrow for a new server install, now while this hosts locat global catalogues and domain controller (set for site lcoality so replications and authentication and updates are dealt with via LAN)...

I happened to wonder about something like this in the future.

I know I asked this question to peer end peopel about personal user.. but ill also be looking at changing corportae security solution here

Since we have many remote users (about 100+ on the road ) I think something like this would be userful as many use 3G and wifi and VPN logins.


Plus you can use server policy to prevent access to gateway if the dongle isnt present.


I cannot help think its a good solution.

[Melissa]

how do you make sure a remote user does it?

ya know i might get some qudos and reccomend sommat like this.

that symantech crap was awful, sophos is marginally better

[Phoenix]

How ironic that you posted this Chan, I actually had someone ask me about them at work yesterday. This guy apparently runs his own business and wanted something more secure then standard software based secruity programs, as well as being interested in the concept.

When he first mentioned it, I had to really rack my brains to find out what he was talking about, but then I remembered an article in one of my comp magazines.

I think the general concept of the Yoggie products is that they are hardware based products as apposed to software based.

Whereas it is possible to get "portable" internet secruity suites that you are able to run from a data storage device (memory stick, iPod, etc). Although even these programs load themselves into the ram, as well as forming links to application data and sometimes registry entries. I think the selling point of these Yoggie products is that they don't leave any trace of being plugged into the computer at all. The moment you plug them in they act as a hardware based firewall (similar to the ones you would find in a router) and the moment you unplug them, its as if they were never there to begin with.

I think this is probably what appeals to alot of people, the fact that they are adding an extra layer of protection as and when they feel like it. Also because it barely relies on the computer at all, therefore not limiting system performance. It's also probably appealing for those who access the web on the go, using wireless hotspots, internet cafe's etc. Because lets be honest, you never know how secure they are- at least this way you would at least have some reassurance.

Anyway, I think I better rap up this post because to be honest its turning out more like a sales advertisement. I was just letting you know my opinion and stuff i've picked up about the product itself, through reading online and from reviews in my comp mags.

Pho~

[Chantelle]

Reason I seen it was they were on teh gadget show and they seemed to think it was very effective (I never watched it myself a colleuge did)

I think its kinda like a smooth wall but since its USB you can basically have it plugge din and not bother with anything on your PC..

If it worked as it says it woudl be brilliant but thats why i posted as I wanted to know "real life" expereince over sales advertisement.

[Phoenix]

Reason I seen it was they were on teh gadget show and they seemed to think it was very effective (I never watched it myself a colleuge did)

I think its kinda like a smooth wall but since its USB you can basically have it plugge din and not bother with anything on your PC..

If it worked as it says it woudl be brilliant but thats why i posted as I wanted to know "real life" expereince over sales advertisement.

The technology is very new, the whole concept to my knowledge hasn't be tried before. And in that sense I mean as a portable USB stick, because lets face it, standard hardware firewalls aren't exactly portable ><

I haven't had any first hand experience with them at the moment, but then again I doubt many people have at the current stage.

Although to my understanding this product is supposed to be used in conjunction with your existing internet secruity software, because its hardware based not software based, so therefore there isn't likely to be any conflict.

Also I somehow don't think that you'd be able to get say "active" scanning through a USB device without impacting system performance.

Pho~

[Chantelle]

yeah thats why I was asking

Its the same as a smooth wall I am sure of it which they reckon works well, technically it would be both hard and software but like a proxy

Its the USB thing I am not sure about.. but scanning shoudl be done on teh usb since its alledgedly indepednant, the key itself runs Linux and is a server and only uses power..

Im skepitcle as to how it works.

Youd still have your gateway firewall say router or pix whatever

[Phoenix]

A simple google search resulted in some interesting results:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q= ... usb+review


This result in particular seems to be quite an indepth review:


http://www.xtremecomputing.co.uk/review ... 411&page=1

[Chantelle]

THanks for that

I had seen the actual review you posted up earlier today

Its interesteding they rate its purpose but the cost obviously

I mean I was thinking of it more for work at the moment rather than home use.. although I wouldnt mind a go on one for home

I guess its speed and good security at an expense whereas you can get good free software for little overhead.

Maybe as this develops it certainly looks like something to keep an eye out for

[FlapJack23]

Oh, now I get what it's for. I just thought it was AV.

It seems like a good idea, but couldn't you just get a U3 drive which comes with a firewall and antivirus installed on the drive instead of this? I get what it's for I just don't see why I would get it.

[Phoenix]

Oh, now I get what it's for. I just thought it was AV.

It seems like a good idea, but couldn't you just get a U3 drive which comes with a firewall and antivirus installed on the drive instead of this? I get what it's for I just don't see why I would get it.

A U3 drive is purely portable applications. I think you can get Avast! for U3 if you pay for it. While i'm on the subject there is actually a program called "Portable Apps Launcher" which allows you to carry around applications with you and it can be installed on any removable storage device, including memory sticks, iPods, mp3 players etc. It works in almost exactly the same way as U3 (although U3 does use CD drive emulation whereas PortableApps doesn't). I won't say anymore about it as i'm going off topic, but it is an interesting application:

http://www.portableapps.com/

Anyway, back on topic. Even using a U3 or PortableApps device, it's purely an anti-virus and not an internet secruity suite. Also it's software based, whereas the Yoggie drives are hardware based- this is the key difference between the two. Also the Yoggie drives have the operating system built into them, so they aren't very demanding on the physical hardware of your PC according to what i've read, whereas U3 on the other hand runs solely on the hardware of your PC.

I guess its speed and good security at an expense whereas you can get good free software for little overhead.

To be honest I don't think you can really put a price on security. I guess you could ask youself the question, how important is the confidentiality of your data to you? If this thing really does do what it says it does, then i'm sure it would be a worthwhile investment for anybody especially businesses. I'm sure in any medium sized business, I would hope that they would invest in hardware firewalls and essential secruity software. But for a sole trader, or a small company the cost is considerably less then any standard hardware firewall.

Pho~

[Chantelle]

Yeah I think The stick creates a second or proxy.. basically its a server for your PC.. which if you use a router you like have two layer proxy .. plus this linux OS stick has a fuull software suite on it

almost your pc is kept pretty far away from the internet

if it comes good this could be a real good way forward.

THing is, remote users now on road alot they dont update their software often unless they come into an offiec etc etc, they may use other office or hotspots, its less secure and manageable, a stick like this could really be a good solution for that.

[jawfin]

The key word that Chantelle used before was dongle.
Dongles are most secure way of protecting your software against piracy (I of course speak from a developers point of view) as its hardware based and encrypted.
Having an intelligent dongle as network security would be the most secure means of protecting your LAN and VPN. If you could run it as Chantelle outlined wrt remote users and have the dongle inteface the server's security (even for terminal servers), and given the product works as advertised I'd think it second to none.
BTW on portable OS on iPod or USB stick I use mojopac - its fast, clever & free, but requires the host PC to be an MS OS.

[Chantelle]

Yeah you see the problem is

We have 100 users who are at least on the road / remote work from home etc..

Now not only do they need protection for wherever they take it

They are also VPN clients.

Every machine which I give to any body , Is installed with current corportae protection however with them not being in the office all the time it can be a pain plus if they use 3G or what not some of their security is somewhat limited

THis security dongle or proxy usb adds an enture layer.

Not suggesting a server dongle but at least perhaps if managed centrally we could enforce policy object to force it, I know you can enforce GPO to force or specify proxy IP addresses, which we do for proxy users (i.e everyone except IT engineers and administrators)
anyway maybe enough from me today had to drive 100 miles to make a scheduled installation and upgarde of a new server and domain controller at a depot office.

tiring all that driving