December 2002
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AlphaShield
by Jayne Parkhouse
FOR
As for ease of use, I think it's all been said: very neat, very easy to
install and use and basically foolproof.
AGAINST
The auxiliary port should have a clear warning on it or the letters 'AUX'
should be in red as a warning since it would be quite easy to mistakenly
link up to it and not be security compliant.
VERDICT
Very easy, extremely simple and very effective.
Protecting your online experience and enabling a secure connection, whether
cable, broadband, ISDN or wireless, is the only way to go these days. With
so much emphasis on security, no one should be using any form of internet
access without the necessary protection being put firmly in place. There
are lots of new gizmos and large appliances on the market to choose from,
and many offer other utilities along with the initial security offering,
such as added anti-virus or built-in intrusion detection. But for some, who
have already spent their budget on these security applications, a box that
separates the big bad world from you and your computer is probably the way
forward.
AlphaShield is a small box a little bigger than a deck of playing cards
that can provide a physical barrier between the internet and your system.
Now that most people are using an always-on connection the need to tighten
our security practices is greater than ever. This box delivers a
'plug-and-play' experience that requires no software or configuration
changes and therefore can be easily and quickly added to your overall
security without any mishaps. Often the point of applying a new security
application, whether it is software or hardware, is lost when the
configuration settings conflict with other applications and a new hole is
opened up in your defenses, so this type of device is a godsend if you
aren't that computer-savvy.
The product uses a technology which the developers call AlphaGap. This
enables a quick installation with no assigned IP address; it also means
that your computer is provided with IP address anonymity. This is because
the AlphaShield sits between the live internet connection and the computer,
concealing its identity from the outside world. The developers express the
workings of the AlphaShield as possessing non-volatile memory. This means
that it can't be altered and its proprietary operating code stored within
is safe from both hacker and user intervention. As it is protected from
change it can't be circumnavigated; the only time protection is deemed
useless is when it is physically unplugged and the internet connection is
reinstated without the AlphaShield in place.
Using its real-time packet authorization (RPA) and stealth technology, the
connection made to either the network or internet remains secure, affording
the user data protection while connected to either source. It also offers
an auxiliary port to allow other IP devices to be connected, but although
it provides another socket for, say, a VoIP connection, be warned that this
port offers no security so do not use this as your computer connection.
Because it requires no software to be installed, AlphaShield is totally
operating system independent and can be used no matter what platform you
are running on. This gives you far greater flexibility than some of the
other network security devices that do a similar job.
AlphaShield is also apparently immune from viruses and other attacks,
although we did not test this claim. Being plug-and-play does mean that it
can be used for mobile computing too and the user has the benefit of
utilizing its security capabilities in the home office when telecommuting.
Another benefit that became apparent was the lack of hardware conflict
between the already installed router and firewall so it was not necessary
to change any settings at all.
It comes with an AC adapter (universal 9 volt DC adapter) that provides the
power source required to run the AlphaShield and it is also supplied with a
RJ-45 network cable that's about six feet (1.83m) long. A user's guide and
an installation document are provided, but why you'd need these when it is
so easy to install we couldn't see. Not that we're complaining; some of the
documentation seen with other devices can leave a lot to be desired.
Once plugged in and working there are three modes to choose from: Lockout
mode with a 15 minute physical disconnect; Auto mode, which keeps your
connection live come what may; and the first choice, Manual mode, which
provides a very acceptable 15 minute inactivity cut off that provides a
disconnect. The manual mode is the one we preferred and it worked very
well, giving off a flashing green LED to warn of an impending disconnection
in approximately 30 seconds if we didn't intervene. You also get visual
inbound and outbound data information from the LED as well as the connect
and disconnect buttons on the top of the box.
Although apparently immune from viruses, the AlphaShield should not be
relied upon to protect against infection. One thing the manual does make
very clear is the need for up-to-date anti-virus protection. And for anyone
still on dial-up via an internal modem, there may be a suitable AlphaShield
solution in the offing.
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