Pixel ITT

Agnitum Outpost firewall software program, most effective firewall for home and small business computers.

It's small to download, fast to setup and easy to manage. Many of the settings are preset so you don't need to make changes after it's installed.

Now Agnitum Outpost Pro Firewall software includes effective spyware and adware detection and removal features at no extra cost.

Available for free software download to try before you buy as a full working product for 30 days free use.

4/10/2006. Pixel ITT appointed as a Premium Reseller of Agnitum Outpost Pro and Outpost Network Security Firewall Software.

28/9/2006. Agnitum's Outpost Firewall Pro 4.0 boasts even greater and more proactive security.

The following features are new: ...
- This version delivers proactive security functionality that blocks all currently-known techniques for bypassing security protection (leak tests), so it fully prevents sensitive data leakage from individual PCs.
Its new Anti-Leak Control integrates Hidden Process Control and Process Memory Control technologies available in previous versions and provides a set of additional anti-leak features that allow to prevent such actions of malicious processes as control over another application, components injection, application window control, application launch with command line parameters, and others.                         try Outpost Pro, free download

- Its new spyware signature analyzer provides even more accurate spyware detection to increase users’ protection against all known and even modified and new versions of malware.
The spyware scanner besides calculating checksums using the entire file, can detect malware by the unchanged unique part of a file to more precisely evaluate threats.

- Outpost Firewall Pro 4.0 uses a new, ultra powerful Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) 256 verification routine to identify applications while automatically creating network access rules through ImproveNet.
This enables Outpost Firewall to be much more precise in identifying an application in order to ensure the creation and distribution of optimum rule sets.
This algorithm replaces the old MD5 algorithm that could be bypassed by recently discovered hacking techniques, which, of course, significantly reduced the ability of this commonly used algorithm to protect users’ machines.

- Outpost Firewall Pro 4.0 makes it much easier to create the most secure configurations with its new macro definitions for applications and global rules. These can be used, for example, to designate the local network as LOCAL_NETWORK or all DNS servers simply as DNS_SERVERS. This gives advanced users the ability to quickly define security rules for their Intranet communications as well as some Windows-based services (for example, DNS).

- Outpost Firewall Pro 4.0 also provides a specially designed Entertainment mode that avoids distracting the user’s attention or interrupting a game yet still protects the system when you are playing or watching movies online. While in this mode, the protection is active without bothering the user with numerous prompts or alerts.

- For those who want to decrease the number of prompts, yet still want to have full control, Outpost Firewall Pro 4.0 suggests the Low level of Component Control, which does not warn about every changed or added application component, but warns only about executable files.

- Finally, Outpost Firewall Pro 4.0 features a new self-protection mode. With self-protection turned on, Outpost Firewall Pro protects itself against termination caused by viruses, Trojans or spyware. Even attempts to simulate user keystrokes that would otherwise lead to firewall shutdown are detected and blocked. Outpost Firewall Pro also constantly monitors its own components on the hard drive, registry entries, memory status, running services, and so on, and disallows any changes by malicious applications.                                                               free software download

Version 4.0 improves overall usability and performance, and is available for 64-bit operating systems.                                 free software download

Agnitum is going to release a new version of Outpost Pro Firewall software, Version 4.0 that will feature even greater and more proactive security than you have today (and than any other personal firewall product can provide!).
The new version is expected to be publicly released in June 2006.

Here's a sneak preview of some of the planned features.

Anti-Leak Features

Outpost Pro version 4.0 firewall software will deliver proactive security functionality that will block all outbound security holes. These holes are often referred to as leaks, hence the term ‘leak test’ to describe the tests created by security experts to find weaknesses in firewalls and other security products.

Most of the techniques used in leak tests are already used in spyware, Trojans, keyloggers, and Internet worms. These techniques take advantage of security flaws discovered in Windows operating systems, browsers and security software products, including suites, firewalls, anti-spyware and anti-virus programs.

Outpost Pro version 4.0 firewall software will block all currently-known techniques for bypassing security protection, including Wallbreaker, ZAbypass and PC Audit leak-tests. With this addition, Outpost Firewall Pro will become the most effective solution available to prevent sensitive data leakage from individual PCs.

Spyware Signature Analyzer

Although Outpost Pro already provides effective proactive measures to block even unknown spyware, it is important to also use a powerful signature-based analyzer to combat spyware at all stages of its malicious activity.

The spyware signature analyzer in Outpost Pro software version 4.0 will provide better protection against multiple varieties of spyware, including unknown variants. The spyware scanner will use the unchanged part of the file, not the whole file, to more precisely analyze results.

Exclusive Application Verification

Most firewalls use the MD5 algorithm to make sure that applications requesting an Internet connection are legitimate. They use this approach to, for example, verify that iexplorer.exe is truly Microsoft Internet Explorer and not a Trojan or keylogger masquerading as a legitimate application.

Unfortunately, the MD5 algorithm can be bypassed using recently discovered hacking techniques, significantly reducing their ability to protect users’ machines. So Outpost Firewall Pro Version 4.0 software will use the higher-security Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) 256 verification routine to identify applications during the automatic creation of network access rules through ImproveNet. This will enable Outpost to be much more precise in identifying an application, thus ensuring the creation and distribution of the optimum rule sets, which ultimately delivers greater security for our customers.

64-bit operating system support

Outpost Firewall Pro 4.0 will provide full support for 64-bit computers and operating systems.

Additional improvements

Outpost Pro version 4.0 firewall software will also improve overall usability and performance to ensure that all users can easily benefit from this additional security.  (more info)                try Outpost Pro, free download

PC Utilities, the UK computer magazine tested Outpost Pro Firewall V3.5.

They determined that if security is a major concern, Agnitum Outpost Firewall Pro can help put your fears at rest. As a result, Outpost received the PC Utilities Recommended award.

Computer Hoy is a monthly magazine from Spain for readers interested in the technical aspects of software products.

In a recent major firewall test, Outpost Firewall Pro 3.5 software came out the winner, ahead of other more recognized firewall software products.

PC World Komputer of Poland, one of the biggest IT magazines recently tested 11 leading firewalls.

Here’s what they had to say about Outpost: Outpost provides a high level of security, offering good protection even from new kinds of threats.

So once again Outpost Firewall Pro proved to be the best security solution, getting the Best Purchase award for the second consecutive year.

Finally, PC Home Advance of Taiwan tested top firewalls including Outpost software Firewall Pro v3.5.

Again Outpost came the winner receiving The Best Product A-Grade award.

What more can we say! Outpost Pro V3.5 Software firewall is a true winner over the competition in international comparisons.

More awards info

Source Agnitum Newsletter 27th April 2006

26/4/2006, Security Insight news from Agnitum

Security insight news, for April 2006, discusses the need for cooperating Anti virus software and firewall software solutions to properly protect your systems. Here's the conclusion.

"For the best protection, antivirus software should be used in conjunction with other security measures and prompt updates to the existing software; the best security comes from better knowledge ..."

For the full article please click here.

30-3-2006, Outpost Network Security 2.0 Released

Agnitum released Outpost Network Security Firewall (ONS) software  version 2.0 On March 20, 2006, centrally-managed firewall and anti-spyware software solution for small to medium businesses.

Developed from the award-winning single-user Outpost Firewall Pro software, the Outpost Network Security Firewall 2.0 protects against spyware, network intrusions, and theft of confidential data. Multilayered software firewall protection incorporates powerful packet- and application- based filtering, stealth technology, baseline intrusion protection, mail attachment quarantine, privacy protection, and enhanced usability, Outpost Network Security Firewall software delivers effective, manageable security for small businesses and branch offices with limited information security resources.

Outpost Network Security 2.0 replaced the Outpost Office Firewall 1.0 software program as Agnitum’s offering for small and medium business customers. The major differences of Outpost Network Security are:

• · Client Anti-Spyware;

• · Targeted information protection;

• · Flexible configuration for different user groups.

Ask for more info

Outpost Network Security info

from the Agnitum news 30-3-2006

A new version of Outpost Firewall Pro software was released February 9, 2006 and an additional build with a minor security fix was released February 14. The new 3.5 version program features a few changes that make Outpost software even easier to use than previously. Users will have to do less work configuring Outpost firewall software and additional security features have also been added.

With this system, rules that govern how various program applications on your computer access the Internet will be automatically configured and applied in Outpost Firewall Pro firewall software. This helps eliminate a lot of questions from the firewall when a new connection is initiated on a user’s PC and shifts the task of correctly—and most importantly—securely configuring the firewall to handle different programs’ access away from the end-user. Before, inexperienced users had some difficulties managing their firewall; with the addition of the automatic rules creation feature, working with the program becomes amazingly simple.

Users can disable this option during install or in the Policy tab of the Settings menu.

How are these rules created, how do I get the updated firewall configuration?

Based on the configuration sent to us through the ImproveNet program (described below), an Agnitum software security engineers collect and evaluate the information on thousands of network-enabled applications submitted by participating users.

After the evaluation is done and a set of new automatic access rules is prepared based on received reports, this configuration is distributed via the automatic Agnitum Update service to users. New rules are automatically applied on the users’ machines and Outpost Firewall Pro is set to work automatically with programs listed in the newly received configuration.

What is the ImproveNet system and why is it useful for me?

ImproveNet is a system of optionally collecting users’ firewall configurations and processing them centrally by Agnitum security experts in order to create new software application access rules and global firewall program settings to be distributed to Outpost Firewall Pro software users. The goal of the system is to learn about many of the new Internet-accessing software applications that are born each day and prepare to automatically configure access for them on the end-user computers side. You can get additional information on ImproveNet by following this link http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpost/whatsnew35.php where new features are outlined.

What information is sent to Agnitum from the ImproveNet participating user?
What are possible additions in the future?
How do I stay confident that no personal information is sent to you?

For a version with the same number the information is strictly fixed. In versions after 3.5 possible additions may come (e.g., component control information).

The reported information is only the data which helps to identify an Internet-requesting application when it requests network access and the technical details of that connection.

No IP, MAC addresses or other user-specific information is communicated. The following data is sent for the application: name, version number, local path, unique ID. The following data is sent for the connection: direction, protocol, port number. In place of addresses one of the five Internet identifiers is sent: local machine, local network of class A, B, or C.

Agnitum maintain user privacy and anonymity and get only minimal information that helps to identify an application and how it requests the Internet.

Why are so few presets available after the installation?

We will be updating and expanding current configuration with the ImproveNet-distributed presets.

Program rules are created as necessary. For each application, there will be only rules which have been required at least once. Application rules are applied only in cases when the ID information of the particular application matches that written in the presets files. If there is no match, the Rules Wizard will be displayed and a user can select appropriate action from the drop-down menu.

from the Agnitum newsletter 28-2-2006

31-1-2006. Outpost Firewall News.
New releases due soon.

Product Update: Outpost Network Security 2.0 Software
(formerly Outpost Office Firewall Software)

You may recall that we introduced our first business-level product, Outpost Office Firewall software, last spring. It seems that businesses liked the product enough to tell us how we should improve it to make it even more useful for company network protection. So, we have been working assiduously to develop a true network security firewall software product, and it is now almost ready. Within a month or so, we will release Outpost Network Security 2.0 firewall software, the newly-expanded and strengthened next generation of Outpost Office Firewall software.

Outpost Network Security 2.0 firewall software includes the proactive anti-spyware defenses and information theft protection introduced in Outpost Firewall Pro 3.0 firewall program in September last year, as well as significantly improved central administration controls. The core client firewall has also been reinforced and rendered more flexible to better defend network endpoints against intrusion.

Here are more details of the benefits to be found in the new Outpost Network Security 2.0 Firewall software:

Network anti-spyware

By adding a powerful anti-spyware module that combines proactive monitoring and an on-demand scanner, Outpost firewall now reliably protects client PCs against spyware. Any spyware that gets onto a client such as a salesperson’s laptop is effectively contained. It is prevented from phoning home confidential corporate data when the laptop is reconnected to the network and from hopping across network connections to infect other clients. No spyware also minimizes the number of popup ads and other temptations faced by users when they’re on the web, so you’ll also benefit from improved productivity. Proactive spyware program monitoring protects the integrity of corporate assets and reduces helpdesk calls, making a positive contribution to the bottom line.

Targeted information protection

Another benefit of Outpost Network Security 2.0 firewall software is targeted information protection. Simply identify blocks of text or character strings (such as passwords, confidential financial information, or employee identification information) and that data is prevented from ever leaving the network. Group policies to manage desktops The addition of group policy support gives administrators extra flexibility in managing their endpoints by assigning specific configurations to selected user groups. This enables IT to designate customized network access policies for specific groups depending on risk and exposure levels for example, sales laptops will likely require stricter protection than accounting’s desktops.

An even tougher firewall software

Incorporating the award-winning Outpost Firewall Pro 3.5 firewall software engine, Outpost Network Security firewall program delivers high performance yet easy-to-use protection against known and unknown network attacks.

The release of Outpost Network Security Firewall Software is scheduled for the beginning of March. Registered users of Outpost Office Firewall will be able to upgrade to Outpost Network Security firewall software free of charge as part of their current maintenance subscription.

Product Update: Outpost Firewall Pro 3.5

We’ve got exciting news for you: the latest and greatest version of Outpost Firewall Pro software will ship next week!

As we reported in our December newsletter, the new version will deliver higher protection levels thanks to closer integration of the anti-spyware plug-in with the firewall engine, plus the brand-new ImproveNet which will help to automate application protection, eliminating many of dialog windows you currently see when applications try to access the Internet.

ImproveNet is a network community that brings Outpost firewall users and Agnitum engineers together to share configurations and enable everyone to benefit from universally applicable Internet software access security rules. By participating in the ImproveNet service, users can adjust their application access rules to protect against the latest threats. These settings are created, transferred and applied automatically, so that users no longer need to worry about how to respond to the next action prompt window because ImproveNet adjustments mean that the window won’t appear in the first place!

Participation in the ImproveNet community is optional - you can turn it off with a single mouse click if for any reason you don’t want to get involved. However, we encourage you to try out ImproveNet and see for yourself how much more efficient (and silent!) your firewall will be.

Outpost Firewall Pro 3.5 firewall software will be released during the first week of February 2006. All users with a current maintenance subscription will receive the upgrade automatically at no charge as part of the normal update process. If your maintenance subscription has expired, please contact Pixel ITT to renew your license to renew your subscription.

Original newsletter version at www.agnitum.com

31/1/2006. Outpost Firewall Receives New Award from
PC Expert Magazine (France)

The French edition of PC Expert magazine has given Outpost Firewall yet another award for our Hall of Fame! We won their Editor's Choice award in May 2005 with Outpost 2.5, and in the December issue, as part of the magazine’s review of security products released in 2005, PC Expert named Outpost Firewall Pro 3.0 one of the "Most Excellent Products of 2005".

"Outpost Firewall Pro goes on, year after year, giving proof of its capability. It has become a multi-level security utility, now also integrating an anti-spyware filter", reads the magazine.

Original newsletter version at www.agnitum.com

19-12-2005. OUTPOST PRO FIREWALL 3.5
WHAT’S COMING NEXT?

Good news for Outpost Firewall Pro software users! You can expect even better protection against Internet threats with the new version 3.5, coming in February next year. This next version will offer greater integration between the firewall software and anti-spyware functionality, tools to boost Outpost’s performance, and an opportunity for Outpost users to interact directly with the product’s developers. Here’s more:

Tighter Anti-Spyware and Firewall Integration Users’ systems will be automatically and proactively scanned for spyware if the firewall detects any suspicious Internet activity patterns, even if the real-time spyware protection isn’t running. This will keep protection levels high and minimize performance impact.

Log Exclusions Users will be able to define log exclusions for a particular Internet or network activity such as peer-to-peer sharing or NetBios communication. This will keep Log Viewer data clear of clutter and may improve computer performance.

Improved Feedback Loop The new ImproveNet will enable Agnitum developers to collect and review users’ application Internet access configurations and program usage statistics, including information that explicitly identifies an application by its unique parameters, such as checksum and version data. This data in turn enables the developers to expand the existing database of known applications and make more automatic access rules available to users.

The new version will also feature distribution and automatic application of new rules. After a new access rule has been received and ratified by Agnitum, it will be automatically shared with other Outpost users, obviating the need to manually create manual for Internet-accessing programs. The principle is the same as for spyware definitions updates and will increase usability and lead to fewer prompts.

For more information contact Pixel ITT.

Outpost Pro Version 3 released, 26th Sept 2005.

Agnitum's Outpost Firewall Pro 3.0 delivers powerful spyware protection
Award-winning personal firewall now offers integrated anti-spyware, identity theft protection, and configuration assistance tools

St. Petersburg, Russia - September 26, 2005 - Agnitum, a leading developer of personal and corporate information security software, today announces the release of Outpost Firewall Pro 3.0. This new version adds integral anti-spyware capabilities and other protections against the latest malware threats to the existing powerful firewall protection. This combination of two complementary technologies enables computer users to quickly and automatically eradicate Internet-borne threats to data integrity and online privacy.

Why Outpost AntiSpyware?

As the challenge of spyware becomes more personal and more real, the time is right for an integrated solution that not only provides a reactive solution by cleaning an already-infected computer, but also proactively prevents spyware from getting onto the computer in the first place. Outpost Firewall Pro 3.0 blocks spyware at every possible stage of infection, combining proactive and reactive technologies to provide comprehensive protection against hacker attacks, spyware infection and other security risks.

"Rather than create additional products and force users to spend more to get the protection they need, we have chosen to increase the effectiveness of the protection we provide", says Mikhail Penkovsky, Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing at Agnitum. "Our goal is satisfied customers, not chasing a trend or making a fast buck from the latest hot topic. With Outpost 3.0, users get solid spyware protection plus a powerful and easy-to-use firewall in one cost-effective package."

Outpost AntiSpyware capabilities

Outpost Anti-Spyware proactively monitors active programs for known spyware traces, controls internal attributes of the operating system, prevents program tampering, and prevents spyware from activating. The on-demand scanner lets users run custom or recommended spyware scans of fixed and removable disks, USBs and other storage devices, and is updated automatically at user-definable intervals. Additionally, Outpost's unique ID block lets users protect specific items of confidential information such as tax identification, bank account numbers, passwords, or insurance policy details; once defined, this information is locked into the computer and cannot be transferred through email, web forms or IM chat sessions. The Active Content and Attachment Quarantine options close off the most common attack vectors used by spyware.

Stronger firewall functionality, more help for users

In addition to the new anti-spyware capability, Outpost 3.0's base firewall has been substantially reinforced and ease of use significantly improved:

- Smart Advisor prevents common security breaches by helping users correctly configure firewall rules, program interdependencies and Internet access permissions. It also displays hints in real time and advises users on the best course of action if an unknown program tries to do something new.
- Attack Detection proactively defends against zero-day attacks and helps plug existing vulnerabilities in Windows.
- Smart Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) filtering protects users from fake requests to initiate communication and shields wireless networks (WiFi LANs) against unauthorized connections
- Exclusive Anti-Sniffer Protection protects data transmission - including chat sessions and their related password entries, names, addresses, etc - against interception by specialized sniffing programs, including encrypted files.
- ARP Scan Enumeration protection shields the user's local network from massively propagating viruses that use mass host enumeration to hop from one computer to another, infecting them as they go.
- Anti-IP Spoofing protects computers against attacks that disrupt or disable Internet communications and other network access.

About Outpost Firewall Pro

Outpost Firewall Pro provides a superior arsenal of defense against PC infiltration by denying unauthorized access to remote hackers and protecting against data theft, denial-of-service attacks, privacy violation, Trojan horses, spyware and other malicious code. First published in 2002, Outpost Firewall Pro has won awards around the world for its ease of use and powerful protection.

About Agnitum
Founded in 1999, Agnitum Ltd (http://www.agnitum.com) is a leader in security and privacy software for home and office PCs, with more than a million users around the world. Agnitum is committed to delivering and supporting high quality security software products; the company's key offerings are Outpost Firewall Pro, securing home and SOHO PCs, and Outpost Office Firewall, providing easy-to-use, reliable endpoint protection for corporate networks.

(Compiled fro an Agnitum press release)
for Australian more info contact Pixel ITT.

The latest version of Outpost Pro has been radically updated to better protect users from the latest spyware and hacker intrusion techniques, as well as improve defenses against sophisticated sniffing and spoofing attacks.

We've also made Outpost 3.0 even easier to use than earlier versions. Now, every time the program needs input from the user, context-sensitive help is available, with hints and tips to help you get the results you're looking for. More experienced users can, of course, continue to make their own decisions, without advice from the program, if they wish.

Let's take a closer look at what's new.
AntiSpyware Plug-in
A powerful, multi-layered defense against spyware. Protects against all types of spyware, at every stage of infection.

The spyware problem has become so widespread that every PC user needs to have reliable protection, and to have it sooner rather than later. The threat of spyware can no longer be overlooked. That's why we've integrated real-time spyware defenses into the latest version of Outpost Pro, to protect users against spyware for good.

Outpost's AntiSpyware Plug-in:

" Monitors running programs to ensure no spyware activates on the PC
- Scans active applications to make sure none are malicious or unauthorized. Non-conforming programs are instantly terminated.
- Maintains the integrity of internal system configurations, preventing malware making unauthorized changes to vital settings and components.

" Detects and removes spyware from storage devices
- Scans folders, hard disks, floppy disks, CDs, DVDs and USB storage devices for the presence of spyware. Any spyware detected can be removed immediately or quarantined for review at a later time.

" Blocks unauthorized transmission of sensitive user information (ID block)
- Blocks any predefined text from being sent over the Internet. Any text string that you specify is prevented from ever leaving your computer, protecting you against identity theft. Credit card data, login information, and passwords cannot be intercepted and stolen by hackers.
" Automatically updates spyware signatures
- Ensures the computer is always up to date with the latest spyware protection.

For more information about Outpost's AntiSpyware plug-in, visit the anti-spyware section of the Agnitum website at www.antispyware.agnitum.com
" Smart advisor
Ensures firewall configurations and settings are correct

The single biggest problem with firewalls - and the one that causes most security breaches - is getting the configuration right. As you 'teach' Outpost what processes you allow through the firewall, the program will ask you questions about new programs or data exchanges. Your best protection comes when you answer these questions correctly every time. In earlier versions of Outpost, it was not always easy to understand what the right answer might be, but now, real-time, context-sensitive advice is available with every question.

With Smart Advisor, you can easily understand the firewall's questions and, more importantly, how to answer the questions. Smart Advisor helps you to correctly configure the firewall rules, program interdependencies and Internet access permissions. Plus, it displays hints in real time and advises what would be the best course of action if an unknown program tries to do something new. It's a handy, useful tool for anyone concerned about getting the best protection from their firewall, regardless of how much or little experience they may have.

" Protection against the latest threats
Keeps PCs safe from the most sophisticated hacking attacks

Hackers never rest; they are constantly devising ever more crafty ways to compromise your data and hijack your Internet-connected PC. To thwart their evil intentions, Outpost's anti-hacker capabilities have been significantly reinforced and now provide tools to protect against sniffing, spoofing, Remote Desktop Protocol exploitation, and a multitude of other existing and future attacks. Outpost's unique Attack Detection plug-in proactively defends against zero-day attacks and helps plug existing vulnerabilities in the Windows operating system.

" Smart Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) filtering
Protects you from fake requests to initiate communication, shields wireless networks (WiFi LANs) against unauthorized connections (bandwidth thieves)

" Exclusive Anti-Sniffer protection
- Outpost is the only firewall that protects data transmission - including chat sessions and their related password entries, names, addresses, and so on - against interception by specialized sniffing programs. Even encrypted files containing confidential financial and other personal information are safe from hackers.

" Protection against new network scan techniques
- Shields your local network from massively propagating viruses like Lovesan/MSBlast that use a technique called mass host enumeration to hop from one computer to another, infecting them as they go.

" Anti-IP spoofing
- Protects your PC against attacks that disrupt or disable Internet communications and other network access.
 

All these great new features not only give you the best possible protection whenever you're online - they also make it easy to do.

To learn more about Outpost Firewall Pro 3.0 and download a trial version, ask Pixel ITT.
 

Here's a few more screenshots from
Outpost Firewall Pro 3.0, firewall software program