New DNS Security for Guest WiFi Networks from Webroot

Webroot Inc. has added protection for guest Wi-Fi networks at sites like hotels, airports, coffee shops, and shopping centers to its SecureAnywhere DNS Protection solution.

First unveiled a year ago, SecureAnywhere DNS Protection leverages Broomfield, Colo.-based Webroot’s BrightCloud Web Classification and Reputation Threat Intelligence services to stop users from accessing malicious websites, based on customizable policies.

The new DNS Protection for Guest WiFi service allows channel pros to extend that functionality to networks ripe for abuse by the large numbers of transient, usually unknown, people who use them. Cybercriminals can exploit a poorly-protected guest network’s DNS layer to view browser histories and login information, redirect searches to malicious pages, and potentially attach connected devices to botnets.

“Cybercriminals are taking note of the exponential growth of guest WiFi and taking advantage of the vulnerabilities associated with unsecured WiFi networks,” said Chad Bacher, senior vice president of product strategy and technology alliances at Webroot, in a press statement. “This additional use case for our DNS Protection solution, helps small- to medium-sized businesses protect both their network and their customers from being abused by cybercriminals looking to steal data and redirect traffic.”

A cloud-based solution that utilizes DNS servers hosted in Webroot’s network of global data centers, DNS Protection for Guest WiFi is designed to be easy to deploy and configure. It supports over 80 URL filtering categories, and includes functionality technicians can use to optimize network speeds by controlling bandwidth usage.

Webroot, which introduced a new CEO last September, has been steadily expanding its product line. In August, the company acquired Securecast, a Portland, Ore.-based provider of security awareness training, and used its phishing simulation and employee education platform as the foundation of a new “awareness-as-a-service” offering. Three months later, it announced an agreement by Tampa, Fla.-based managed services software maker ConnectWise to add the new service to its line card and promote it to MSPs through its in-house salesforce.