A tool to keep inappropriate files from being written to the server

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: DAVE KEARNS ON NOVELL NETWARE TIPS
10/13/05
Today's focus: A tool to keep inappropriate files from being
written to the server

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* NetWare BlokFile
* Links related to Novell NetWare Tips
* Featured reader resource
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Today's focus: A tool to keep inappropriate files from being
written to the server

By Dave Kearns

Back in the day - you know back when servers were coal-powered
and we did word processing by candlelight - I seemed to spend a
lot of my time searching for and weeding out "inappropriate"
files on my company's servers. Typically for that time, most
were games, smut, jokes or cartoons. Usually I needed to do this
to reclaim disk space. Fifteen years ago, I was happy to be able
to pay $1,000 per gigabyte for disk storage, so managing its use
was a necessary use of my time.

But with disk storage costs inching down towards $1 per
gigabyte, there is more incentive to add disk rather than prune
and weed your existing storage. Still, nowadays there are other
reasons - such as legal and ethical considerations - in addition
to simple space management that require you to keep firm control
over the contents of your servers' file systems. People can be
fined, fired or even jailed for the files they keep - or access
- on your corporate servers.

Suppose there was a way to keep inappropriate files from even
being written to the server, thus removing the necessity to
constantly scan the system? Well, now there is.

"NetWare BlokFile" is a new tool that installs as an NLM on your
NetWare server. Written by Hamish Speirs, a transplanted New
Zealander, it's available for evaluation at The Caledonia
Network Consulting Web site
<http://www.caledonia.net/blokfile.html> (there's other good
stuff at Caledonia also - explore the whole site).

According to Speirs, "BlokFile allows an administrator to block
access to specific file types on the server. For example, you
can block *.mp3 files being written to, or accessed from, users'
home directories. File blocking can be done on file
name/extension, and also on file finger printing - an .mp3
renamed to .txt can still be detected and blocked as an .mp3.
The utility comes with a number of predefined fingerprinting
definitions, and is fully user extensible."

As an example, loading BlokFile with the file specification
"*.mp3" will prevent:
* Any new files with a .MP3 extension from being created.
* Any existing files with a .MP3 extension being opened or
copied.
* Any existing files with a .MP3 extension being backed up.
* Any existing files with a .MP3 extension being renamed to a
different extension.
* Any existing files being renamed to a file with a .MP3
extension.

The only operation that can be performed on a file that meets a
BlokFile file specification is to delete it - and even that can
be prevented.

BlokFile sells for $150 per server, or can be bought in
combination with Speirs other new utility called "LogFile" at a
discount. LogFile is similar to BlokFile, but is an auditing
tool rather than a file maintenance tool. I know a lot of people
running high school, college and university networks who could
greatly benefit from this tool - perhaps you could, also.

The top 5: Today's most-read stories

1. Windows 2000 vulnerability could lead to new outbreak
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlnovell8730>
2. Symantec AntiVirus Scan Engine has serious bug
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlnovell8528>
3. The ABCs of SOA <http://www.networkworld.com/nlnovell8731>
4. Nortel's uphill battle
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlnovell8120>
5. Bechtel says move to IPv6 is all about business
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlnovell8732>

_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Dave Kearns

Dave Kearns is a writer and consultant in Silicon Valley. He's
written a number of books including the (sadly) now out of print
"Peter Norton's Complete Guide to Networks." His musings can be
found at Virtual Quill <http://www.vquill.com/>.

Kearns is the author of three Network World Newsletters: Windows
Networking Tips, Novell NetWare Tips, and Identity Management.
Comments about these newsletters should be sent to him at these

respective addresses: <mailto:windows@vquill.com>,
<mailto:netware@vquill.com>, <mailto:identity@vquill.com>.

Kearns provides content services to network vendors: books,
manuals, white papers, lectures and seminars, marketing,
technical marketing and support documents. Virtual Quill
provides "words to sell by..." Find out more by e-mail at
<mailto:info@vquill.com>
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by Tacit Networks
Download this Network World Executive Guide: Storage Trends and
Strategies

From simplicity to complexity, Storage has taken on more
responsibility involving security and many other top demands.
Explore the hottest trends in Storage today written by the
editors of Network World for IT professionals, in the following
Executive Guide and examine extended case studies of users and
advice from storage specialists. Register now and get your free
copy of Network Word's Storage Executive Guide.
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=117436
_______________________________________________________________
ARCHIVE LINKS

Archive of the Novell NetWare Tips newsletter:
http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/netware/index.html

Novell news page:
http://www.networkworld.com/news/financial/novell.html
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FEATURED READER RESOURCE

Network World Technology Insider on Security: Is Encryption the
Perspective?

Encryption won't solve all your security issues but these days
there is no excuse for not safeguarding your organization's
sensitive data. From Clear Choice product coverage to new
regulations and high-profile breaches, this Technology Insider
on Security covers it all. Click here to read now:

<http://www.networkworld.com/nlnovell7504>
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