Silica Works Magic With Wireless Pen-Testing

Miami-based security company Immunity unveils it latest product, the wireless handheld Silica. This device is believed to be capable of running a pen-test, or penetration testing, to evaluate the security of a computer system or network by simulating an attack by malicious hackers. By assuming the position of the hackers, the pen testers are able to carry out active exploitation of known security flaws to search for weaknesses in the target system.

Instead of lugging around laptops, Silica allows for pen-testing while walking through office cubicles inconspicuously.”[You can] tell Silica to scan every machine on every wireless network for file shares and download anything of interest to the device. Then just put it in your suit pocket and walk through your target’s office space,” Immunity researcher Dave Aitel said.

Assured that there is a market in large consulting organizations as well as law enforcement agencies for this wireless pen-tester, Immunity expects to sell Silica for about $3,000. As of current date, the Silica is now undergoing its external Beta test to polish the system in time for its projected October 2006 launch date.

An earlier version of Silica supports 802.11 (Wi-Fi) and Bluetooth wireless connections. These are incorporated into the newer version, along with more than 150 exploits to allow pen tests while merely walking through office cubicles.

Miami-based security company Immunity unveils it latest product, the wireless handheld Silica. This device is believed to be capable of running a pen-test, or penetration testing, to evaluate the security of a computer system or network by simulating an attack by malicious hackers. By assuming the position of the hackers, the pen testers are able to carry out active exploitation of known security flaws to search for weaknesses in the target system.

Instead of lugging around laptops, Silica allows for pen-testing while walking through office cubicles inconspicuously.”[You can] tell Silica to scan every machine on every wireless network for file shares and download anything of interest to the device. Then just put it in your suit pocket and walk through your target’s office space,” Immunity researcher Dave Aitel said.

Assured that there is a market in large consulting organizations as well as law enforcement agencies for this wireless pen-tester, Immunity expects to sell Silica for about $3,000. As of current date, the Silica is now undergoing its external Beta test to polish the system in time for its projected October 2006 launch date.

An earlier version of Silica supports 802.11 (Wi-Fi) and Bluetooth wireless connections. These are incorporated into the newer version, along with more than 150 exploits to allow pen tests while merely walking through office cubicles.