Will NAT protect my IP using MSN Messenger?

[Guest]

Hello

I recently read an article explaining the dangers of using Public Instant Messaging programs in the corporate environment. My question is: if I have I have a firewall with the NAT protocol is it still possible to expose our internal addressing scheme on the internet? Thanks

 

[Steven L Umbach]

NAT will prevent your internal network addresses from being displayed on the
internet as all traffic out to the internet will have the same public IP,
but have different ports which the NAT device keeps track of. However that
may not be the real risk as any traffic in and out of a network can present
it's own risks. The article may have been talking about other risks of using
IM protocols. The links below discuss examples of such risks including
virus attacks.--- Steve

http://www.surfcontrol.com/products/risks/im_p2p.aspx
http://www.aon.com/risk_management/information_security/security_tip_thirtee
n.jsp

Hello,

I recently read an article explaining the dangers of using Public Instant

Messaging programs in the corporate environment. My question is: if I have
I have a firewall with the NAT protocol is it still possible to expose our
internal addressing scheme on the internet? Thanks

 

[Steve Riley [MSFT]]

--
Steve
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Steve Riley [MSFT]]

(...sorry for the previous blank post, accidentally clicked the mouse
twice...)

The risks are nearly the same as for email: rapid exporting of large amounts
of information, acquiring viruses, getting spamed. But if you have a
business need for instant messaging, use it. Don't be afraid: just manage it
appropriately. Train users not to accept files (or maybe even message
windows) from people they don't know, help them understand that all messages
transmitted in the clear, etc. There is risk associated with any kind of
electronic communication. Properly managed, IM can be a very useful tool.