Symantec Endpoint Protection, developed by Broadcom Inc., is a security software suite that consists of anti-malware, intrusion prevention and firewall features for server and desktop computers.[2]
 Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager GUI, version 14.2 | |
| Developer(s) | Broadcom Inc. |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 14.3 RU9 (Build 11216)
/ 24 June 2024[1] |
| Operating system | Windows, macOS and Linux |
| Platform | IA-32 and x86-64 |
| Type | Anti-malware, intrusion prevention and firewall |
| License | Trialware |
| Website | www |
Version history
editThe first release of Symantec Endpoint Protection was published in September 2007 and was called version 11.0.[3] Endpoint Protection is the result of a merger of several security software products, including Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition 10.0, Client Security, Network Access Control, and Sygate Enterprise Edition.[3] Endpoint Protection also included new features.[3] For example, it can block data transfers to unauthorized device types, such as USB flash drives or Bluetooth devices.[3]
At the time, Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition was widely criticized as having become bloated and unwieldy.[2] Endpoint Protection 11.0 was intended to address these criticisms.[2] The disk footprint of Symantec Corporate Edition 10.0 was almost 100 MB, whereas Endpoint Protection's was projected to be 21 MB.[2]
In 2009, Symantec introduced a managed service, whereby Symantec staff deploy and manage Symantec Endpoint Protection installations remotely.[4] A Small Business Edition with a faster installation process was released in 2010.[5] In February 2011, Symantec announced version 12.0 of Endpoint Protection.[6] Version 12 incorporated a cloud-based database of malicious files called Symantec Insight.[6] Insight was intended to combat malware that generates mutations of its files to avoid detection by signature-based anti-malware software.[6] In late 2012, Symantec released version 12.1.2, which supports VMware vShield.[7]
A cloud version of Endpoint Protection was released in September 2016.[8] This was followed by version 14 that November.[9] Version 14 incorporates machine learning technology to find patterns in digital data that may be indicative of the presence of a cyber-security threat.[9] It also incorporates memory exploit mitigation and performance improvements.[10]
Features
editSymantec Endpoint Protection is a security software suite that includes intrusion prevention, firewall, and anti-malware features.[11] According to SC Magazine, Endpoint Protection also has some features typical of data loss prevention software.[12] It is typically installed on a server running Windows, Linux, or macOS.[13] As of 2018, Version 14 is the only currently-supported release.[14]
Endpoint Protection scans computers for security threats.[11] It is used to prevent unapproved programs from running,[11] and to apply firewall policies that block or allow network traffic.[15] It attempts to identify and block malicious traffic in a corporate network or coming from a web browser.[16] It uses aggregate information from users to identify malicious software.[12] As of 2016, Symantec claims to use data from 175 million devices that have installed Endpoint Security in 175 countries.[12]
Endpoint Protection has an administrative console that allows the IT department to modify security policies for each department,[11] such as which programs or files to exclude from antivirus scans.[12] It does not manage mobile devices directly, but treats them as peripherals when connected to a computer and protects the computer from any malicious software on the mobile devices.[12]
Vulnerabilities
editIn early 2012, source code for Symantec Endpoint Protection was stolen and published online.[17] A hacker group called "The Lords of Dharmaraja" claimed credit, alleging the source code was stolen from Indian military intelligence.[18] The Indian government requires vendors to submit the source code of any computer program being sold to the government, to ensure that they are not being used for espionage.[17] In July 2012, an update to Endpoint Protection caused compatibility issues, triggering a Blue Screen of Death on Windows XP machines running certain third-party file system drivers.[19] In 2014, Offensive Security discovered an exploit in Symantec Endpoint Protection during a penetration test of a financial services organization.[20] The exploit in the Application and Device control driver allowed a logged-in user to get system access.[20] It was patched that August.[20] In 2019, Ofir Moskovitch, a Security Researcher discovered a Race Condition bug which involves 2 Critical Symantec Endpoint Protection Client Core Components: Client Management & Proactive Threat Protection and directly results in Protection Mechanism Failure that can lead to a Self-Defense Bypass, aka "SEMZTPTN" - Symantec Endpoint Minimized Timed Protection.[21]
Reception
editAccording to Gartner, Symantec Endpoint Protection 14 is one of the more comprehensive endpoint security products available and regularly scores well in independent tests.[10] However, a common criticism is that customers are "fatigued" by "near constant changes" in the product and company direction.[10] SC Magazine said Endpoint Protection 14 was the "most comprehensive tool of its type . . . with superb installation and documentation."[12] The review said EndPoint Protection had a "no-brainer setup and administration," but it does have a "wart" that support fees are "a bit steep."[12]
Forrester said version 12.1 was the most complete endpoint security software product on the market, but the different IT security functions of the software were not well-integrated.[22] The report speculated the lack of integration would be addressed in version 14.[22] Network World ranked Symantec Endpoint Protection sixth in endpoint security products, based on data from NSS Labs testing.[23]
References
edit- ^ "What's new for all releases of Symantec Endpoint Protection 14.x". Release versions, notes, new fixes, and system requirements for Endpoint Security and all versions of Endpoint Protection. [Symantec]. 17 November 2020.
- ^ a b c d Walsh, Lawrence (November 2007). "Troubled Waters". CSO Magazine. Vol. 6, no. 10. CXO Media.
- ^ a b c d Messmer, Ellen (24 September 2007). "Symantec revamps endpoint security product". Network World. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
- ^ Messmer, Ellen (23 June 2009). "Symantec unveils endpoint protection services". Network World. IDG. Archived from the original on 19 May 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
- ^ Moltzen, Edward (1 January 2010). "Security In 20 Minutes, Really". CRN. The Channel Company.
- ^ a b c Messmer, Ellen (15 February 2011). "Symantec looks to protect users from mutating malware". Network World. IDG. Archived from the original on 16 August 2017.
- ^ Messmer, Ellen (3 December 2012). "Symantec releases first anti-malware software to work with VMware vShield security system". Network World. IDG. Archived from the original on 16 August 2017.
- ^ Kuranda, Sarah (13 September 2016). "Symantec Rolls Out New Cloud-Based Endpoint Protection Solution For SMBs". CRN. The Channel Company.
- ^ a b Osborne, Charlie (1 October 2016). "Symantec launches endpoint protection solution based on artificial intelligence". ZDNet. CBS Interactive.
- ^ a b c Ouellet, Eric; McShane, Ian; Litan, Avivah (30 January 2017). "Magic Quadrant for Endpoint Protection Platforms". gartner.com. Gartner.
- ^ a b c d "Symantec Endpoint Protection and the details for buyers to know". SearchSecurity. 8 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g Stephenson, Peter (22 August 2016). "Symantec Endpoint Protection 14". SC Magazine. Haymarket Media Group. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
- ^ Stephenson, Peter (1 August 2012). "Symantec Endpoint Protection 12 v12.1". SC Magazine. Haymarket Media Group. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
- ^ "Released versions of Symantec Endpoint Protection". Enterprise Technical Support. Symantec. 16 March 2017. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
- ^ "About the Symantec Endpoint Protection firewall". Enterprise Technical Support. Symantec. 28 October 2016.[dead link]
- ^ "How intrusion prevention works". Enterprise Technical Support. Symantec. 28 October 2016.[dead link]
- ^ a b Vijayan, Jaikumar (6 January 2012). "Symantec confirms source code leak in two enterprise security products". Computerworld. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
- ^ Akhtar, Iyaz (6 January 2012). "That stolen Symantec source code? It's for older enterprise products". CNET. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
- ^ Raywood, Dan (16 July 2012). "Symantec fixes 'blue screen of death' bug". SC Magazine UK. Haymarket Media Group. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
- ^ a b c Kirk, Jeremy (5 August 2014). "Symantec patches privilege escalation flaws in Endpoint Protection". Network World. IDG.
- ^ "Symantec Endpoint Protection Vulnerability". YouTube.
- ^ a b Sherman, Chris; McClean, Christopher; Schiano, Salvatore; Dostie, Peggy (19 October 2016). "The Forrester Wave: Endpoint Security Suites, Q4 2016".
- ^ "NSS Labs rated 13 advanced endpoint security products, flagged 2 with caution rating". Network World. IDG. 15 February 2017. Archived from the original on 15 February 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2017.