HP Finds Place for Virus Throttling
New technology on servers and switches from HP could slow virus outbreaks on computer networks that use the HP products.
HP last week announced commercial implementations of technology it calls virus throttling that can slow the rate viruses and worms spread in a corporate network. HP is offering the virusthrottling software for ProLiant Servers and ProCurve Networking by HP 5300 series switches. HP also unveiled the security Containment software suite, which locks down software applications that have been compromised, says Tony Redmond, head of HP's security Office.
The software delivers on technology HP unveiled last year at the RSA Conference and is part of HP's program to develop technology that keeps computer networks operating in the event of fast-moving attacks. HP will demonstrate both technologies next week at the 2005 RSA Conference in San Francisco, Redmond says.
Virus throttling is a technology developed at HP Labs, the company's research facility which can spot systems on a computer network that are attempting to make a large number of network connections, a common symptom of virus infection. After identifying an infected system, the software notifies administrators and automatically chokes off, or "throttles," outbound connections from it. This keeps the system online, but prevents the virus from spreading rapidly, Redmond says.
