Home
Topics
Application and Platform Security
Open Source Security Tools and Applications
Sourcefire's Roesch: How Snort can normalize JavaScript, model rules

Sourcefire's Roesch: How Snort can normalize JavaScript, model rules

Sourcefire's Roesch: How Snort can normalize JavaScript, model rules

Date: Apr 10, 2013

SAN FRANCISCO -- In the hearts and minds of information security practitioners, arguably no tool is as beloved as Snort, Sourcefire Inc.'s venerable open source intrusion detection system for Windows and Unix.

"It was a perfect software project," said Snort creator Martin Roesch, Sourcefire's chief technology officer, "because you never had to finish it and you interacted directly with the users."

Even though Snort celebrates its 15^th anniversary this year, Roesch said there are plenty of new features for the passionate Snort user community to get excited about.

In this interview, conducted at the 2013 RSA Conference, Roesch discussed some of Snort's recently added capabilities, including JavaScript normalization for examining obfuscated code, file analyzers and anti-evasion technology. Roesch also reflected on why Snort has enjoyed so much success, how much coding he gets to do these days, and what the future of Snort may hold.

Editor's note: Roesch's title was interim CEO at the time of the interview.

More on Open Source Security Tools and Applications

Security Onion tutorial: Analyze network traffic using Security Onion
VIDEO - Video: In this Security Onion tutorial, Keith Barker of CBT Nuggets shows how to analyze network traffic using Security Onion's many free features.
Armitage tutorial: How to use Armitage for vulnerability assessments
VIDEO - Video: In this Armitage tutorial, Keith Barker of CBT Nuggets shows how to use the Metasploit add-on to perform vulnerability assessments.
How to use ThreadFix to simplify the vulnerability management process
VIDEO - Video: Keith Barker of CBT Nuggets demonstrates how Denim Group's ThreadFix helps simplify the enterprise vulnerability management process.
Open source code management: How to safely use open source libraries
Tip - Expert Michael Cobb explains why enterprises need better open source code management to negate the security risks posed by open source libraries.
Open source security tools: Getting more out of an IT security budget
Answer - Open source security tools can help stretch your IT security budget further -- that is, if you use them strategically. Joseph Granneman explains how.
Social engineering penetration testing: Four effective techniques
Tip - Social engineering penetration testing is now a must for enterprises. Learn about the four methods your pen tests should use.
Dangerous Samba vulnerability affects all Linux systems
News - The commonly used tool contains an error that can be executed remotely by attackers, giving them root access to a system. Proof-of-concept code is available, experts warn.
( Apr 11, 2012 )
Addressing HP netbook security with webOS discontinued
Answer - A company contemplates the security implications of continuing an HP netbook rollout with webOS discontinued

Back to top

More from Related TechTarget Sites

Cloud Security
Consumerization
Financial Security
SMB Security
Security AU
Security IN
Computer Weekly

Cloud Security
- Echopass achieves PCI Level 1 certification; CISO offers PCI guidance
  
  On the heels of Echopass achieving PCI Level 1 certification, CISO Dennis Empey offers PCI guidance for other cloud providers navigating the process.
- SearchCloudSecurity's Cloud computing security certification guide
  
  Certification expert Ed Tittel examines the growing number of cloud computing security certifications, both vendor-neutral and vendor-specific.
- CSA exec: Cloud defense demands intelligent security strategy
  
  Video: Cloud Security Alliance COO John Howie discusses the 'intelligent security' strategy necessary for cloud providers to defeat targeted attacks.
Consumerization
- Apple's free iWork suite provides alternative to Office for iOS
  
  Apple's free iWork is considered a Trojan horse, since it gives new iOS device users an office productivity suite ahead of Microsoft Office for iOS.
- Consumer cloud services: Friend or foe?
  
  IT and workers alike can reap benefits from using the consumer cloud, but admins have to get past the concerns over data security first.
- Notebooks or tablets: Which to choose for mobile workers
  
  A mobile workforce that uses the cloud needs their company to think about end-user segmentation to determine the best devices for their needs.
searchFinancialSecurity
- PayPal CISO: Laws must foster better cybersecurity information sharing
  
  PayPal's Michael Barrett says many firms fear misuse of shared cybersecurity data. He also discusses the evolution of PCI DSS and mobile payment security.
- Cybergang plans to use Trojan against U.S. banks
  
  A cybergang in Eastern Europe revealed plans to attack U.S. banks with a Gozi-like Trojan, according to RSA.
- Improved Shylock Trojan targets banking users
  
  The latest variant of the banking Trojan is causing numerous problems, Symantec said.
searchMidmarketSecurity
- Windows Phone 7 security: Assessing WP7 security features
  
  Windows Phone 7 security features are proving to be a mixed bag. Sam Cattle assesses the enterprise security pros and cons of the latest Windows mobile platform.
- Choosing the best security certifications for your career
  
  Whether starting your career or planning your next step as an IT security professional, this tip will guide you toward the best certifications for your interests and experience.
- Midmarket security tutorials
  
  SearchMidmarketSecurity.com’s tutorials offer IT professionals in-depth lessons and technical advice on the hottest topics in the midmarket IT security industry. Through our tutorials we seek to provide site members with the foundational knowledge needed to deal with the increasingly challenging job of keeping their organizations secure.
searchSecurityAU
- NYT cyberattack neatly sidestepped by big data
  
  Big data analysis of IP addresses performed by OpenDNS kept some 50 million users from falling prey to the hijacking of The New York Times website.
- How to assess cloud risk tolerance
  
  Assessing risk tolerance is a key part of a cloud risk management strategy. In this tip expert Ed Moyle explains how to assess cloud risk tolerance.
- TPM security overview: Defining the benefits of TPM devices
  
  The nearly ubiquitous TPM device is an often-overlooked tool in an infosec pro's arsenal. Expert Michael Cobb details the benefits of TPM security.
Information Security
- Android-based mobile malware rises – but what is the risk to Indian businesses?
  
  Mobile-dependent Indian businesses must secure networks against viruses as McAfee reports a large jump in Android-based malware
- Dropbox can be hacked, say security researchers
  
  Security researchers say they bypassed the security of cloud-based storage service Dropbox and gained access to private user files
- Android mobile malware rebounds in Q2, reports McAfee
  
  Android-based malware has grown 35% in the second quarter, according to the latest threat report from security firm McAfee
Computer Weekly
- Cyber insurance: Understanding the legal language
  
  CIOs worried about cyber risk are increasingly turning to cyber insurance to offset risk. But is the cover as black and white as it first seems?
- After virtualising IT estate, Jaguar Land Rover now eyes cloud computing
  
  Jaguar Land Rover's IT team takes its newly virtualised infrastructure to the next stage of IT evolution by adopting cloud-based services
- Will the iPhone 5S’s fingerprint technology help enterprise security?
  
  A fingerprint sensor has been built into Apple's latest iPhones. Computer Weekly looks at what this means for enterprise security

All Rights Reserved,Copyright 2000 - 2013, TechTarget