Security experts release free Cisco router tool

A consortium of security specialists has released a free software analysis tool to help shore up Cisco routers against hackers.

Cisco, like many other vendors, ships its networking products with some features turned off by default.

The tool has been released to allow system administrators who lack extensive security skills to set up routers successfully.

One of the vulnerabilities affects the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), which is commonly used to monitor and manage network configuration.

The vulnerabilities can cause unstable networks and leave the door open to hackers and denial of service attacks.

The consortium comprises the SANS Institute, the Center for Internet Security and the National Security Agency.

The three groups have been working on the problem independently but joined forces last year to pool their resources.

You can download the free tool here: http://www.sans.org/newlook/home.php