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Security Best Practice: Blocking ICQ

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Check Point Reference: SBP-2010-02
Date Published:
Severity:
Source: IPS Research Center
Protection Provided by: Security Gateway
  • R70
VPN-1
  • NGX R65
VSX
  • NGX R65
Who is Vulnerable?
ICQ users
Vulnerability Description
Instant Messaging applications allow communication and collaboration between Internet users using various modes of communication, including instant messages exchange, voice and video, application sharing, white board, file transfer and remote assistance.

ICQ is a popular instant messaging computer program. ICQ was the first Internet-wide instant messaging services. ICQ features include sending text messages, offline support, multi-user chats, free daily-limited SMS sending, resumable file transfers, greeting cards, multiplayer games and a searchable user directory.
Vulnerability Details
Some organizations prefer to prevent their employees from using Instant Messaging applications, since many Instant Messaging applications are prone to multiple vulnerabilities. The impacts of these vulnerabilities could range from modifying data in a victim's friend list, to a denial of service attack, to the execution of malicious code on a victim's system. In addition, Instant Messaging capabilities such as file transfer are a potential source of virus and worm infections.

Protection Overview
This protection will detect and block the use of ICQ.

To configure the defense, select your product from the list below and follow the related protection steps.

Security Gateway R70

How Can I Protect My Network?
1. In the IPS tab, click Protections > By Protocol > Application Intelligence > Instant Messengers.
2. In the right pane, double-click the ICQ protection.
3. In the Protection Details window, click on Edit. Choose the protection's Action (Override IPS Policy with: Prevent/Detect), and apply Additional Settings.
4. Install policy on all modules.

How Do I Know if My Network is Under Attack?
SmartView Tracker will log the following entries:

Attack Name: Instant Messengers
Attack Information:
ICQ (AIM) protocol detected on connection
ICQ Connection over HTTP detected

VPN-1 NGX R65 & VPN-1 VSX NGX R65

How Can I Protect My Network?
1. In the SmartDefense tab, click Application Intelligence > Instant Messengers > ICQ.
2. In the configuration pane, under Settings > Mode, check Active.
3. Install policy on all modules.

How Do I Know if My Network is Under Attack?
SmartView Tracker will log the following entries:

Attack Name: Instant Messengers
Attack Information:
ICQ (AIM) protocol detected on connection
ICQ Connection over HTTP detected