Steganos launches Steganos Secure VPN

- New Steganos software eliminates the security vulnerabilities caused by using Wi-Fi hotspots or home PCs to access corporate networks -

Steganos, the European leader in security and privacy software for both consumers and SMEs, has launched a new service to enable home and mobile workers to securely connect to their employers' networks, eliminating the risk that hotspot providers, ISPs or hackers could eavesdrop on connections. As a bonus, Steganos Secure VPN enables internet activities, including research and online shopping, to be carried out anonymously.

Wi-Fi hotspots at cafes, pubs, train stations and airports have become a popular way for people on the move to connect their computers to the corporate network via the internet. The risk is that data could be intercepted by the hot spot provider or a hacker between the hotspot and the destination server. Data at risk includes network passwords, email passwords, emails and unencrypted company confidential information. People working from home equally place corporate assets in jeopardy, with the risk that the ISP or someone further down the connection could intercept the data as it crosses the internet.

Steganos Secure VPN (short for Virtual Private Network) provides an encrypted and secure link between the user and the internet. The Steganos server acts as intermediary between users and the internet, forwarding requests and data, and ensuring that emails, webpages and documents are delivered to the end-user through a secure link. All data is encrypted using the SSL standard which is best known for securing online banking and shopping transactions. ISPs, hot spot providers and hackers cannot penetrate this secure link - even if they can intercept data, it is encrypted and so worthless to unauthorised users.

Because all connections are secure, users can download and send email, access files on the corporate network, engage in instant message, chat, blogs and auctions; and be confident all the while that all passwords and data are protected from interception.

Users can also use the internet anonymously, since all connections run through the Steganos server. Websites and online service providers are unable to trace the user's IP address.

Steganos Secure VPN is managed through Steganos's server farm, which has 24 hour support and high availability even at peak times.

Steganos Secure VPN is easy to install on desktop computers. Using a web interface, customers can measure their usage and paid allowance of data traffic. The Steganos servers do not analyse or record any traffic passing through Steganos Secure VPN, except for the total data quantities for billing purposes.

Steganos Secure VPN is based on the same proven OpenVPN technology as Steganos's anonymity service for home users, Steganos Internet Anonym VPN.

Pricing

Five workstations: one-year licence with 50 GB traffic included (monthly) costs £169.95 (including VAT). Each additional licence costs £33.99 per year.

System requirements:

Windows 2000, Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional . 30 MB free space on the hard disk for installation . Screen resolution of at least 800x600 . At least 256MB RAM . Pentium or comparable CPU

For more information on Steganos, see: www.steganos.com