Hello readers. In this post I’d like to talk about Bezeq International SafeNet service. Bezeq Int is the most common ISP in Israel and like most of the ISP’s out there, Bezeq Int offer their customers a security service called SafeNet, which they recommend users to buy so they could surf the web in a safer manner.
As stated on Bezeq Int SafeNet page (and details), this service cost 13.90 NIS a month and should be some kind of content filtering system, providing users protection from Malware (viruses, worms, trojan horses, spyware), HTML exploits, malicious Activ-X and JAVA code, Fishing web sites and more (note I deliberately misspelled the definitions, that’s how it’s wrote on the SafeNet service specification page).
Well, after running a series of tests I can surly say Bezeq Int SafeNet service provide non of these protections what so ever. In fact, it doesn’t provide any sort of active protection. The only protection SafeNet service provides is blocking supposedly malicious web sites using an out-of-date domain names blacklist.
For example, trying to access Packet Storm Security web site will result in a redirection to a Bezeq Int domain, displaying this SafeNet message:
Click to enlarge.
The SafeNet service blacklist doesn’t include milw0rm and other hacking related web sites. I even ran test against active Malware serving pages, Phishing web sites and rouge Anti-Virus sites, non of which have been blocked by Bezeq Int SafeNet service.
Furthermore, the SafeNet service domain blacklist function can be bypassed rather easily. It is possible to access blacklisted domains using their IP addresses:
Click to enlarge.
In conclusion, Bezeq Int SafeNat service provide users no affective protection against any kind of threat and Bezeq Int doesn’t provide their customers any of the promised functions stated on the SafeNet service specification.
In my opinion, Bezeq Int SafeNet service is a total rip-off and if you are registered to it I recommend you’d cancel the service immediately.
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Less work, more money.. they’re working like any profitable company.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Moshe Ben Abu, Moshe Ben Abu. Moshe Ben Abu said: RT @rec_sec Post: Why Bezeq Int SafeNet Service Sucks http://bit.ly/1swdYv [...]
“Less work, more money.. they?re working like any profitable company”
Well, there is a line that shouldnt be crossed. there is a difference between a shitty product to a complete fraud… In this case I think that there is a cause for bringing a class action against Bezeq. If only one had the time… :)
Nice one.
As far as I know all ISPs in Israel have to offer
‘content filter’ product to their users – BY LAW.
I guess Bezeq-int just fallowing the law and not
trying to do beyond it. Like most Companies in
Israel.
BTW, the TOS of SafeNet isn’t accessible, what’s
the deal?!
http://www.bezeqint.net/Media/safenet.doc
@iTK98 Following the dry law and provide such service, even if it’s very basic is one thing… But lying to customers is not the way to do that…
The TOS is unreachable yeah, saw that. I don’t know why :P
@Johnny If only anyone had the time :)
alcohol and gambling? lmao.
Bezeq…no need to add a word.
@Trancer
I just say they’re doing it because they have to, not because they
can make a real profit out of it (and better their service as they
pay back what they invest). In this model of work they have no profit.
From today:
Read the fallowing article, http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3796821,00.html
I guess the previous request was from the “Communication office” and
this one is from the Government itself. I believe that if the government want
to do something about it, they could make a dedicated (with active
filter to disallow porn etc) DNS server that citizens could use.
@iTK98
But they are making profit of it, and lying to customers about the service.
The law offer document is very vague and non-technical (http://my.ynet.co.il/pic/computers/atarim281009.rtf), it’ll be interesting to see what the ISP’s will offer their customers now…
(Hebrew) sort of trackback – http://myrtfm.blogspot.com/2010/03/safenet.html