Blocking Skype

[toyinsekoni]

Hi, With our pix 501, how can i possibly block users from using skype (any particular ports or something). By the way, what are the disadvantages of using skype? why are most organisations restricting the use of skype in their network, any security risks?

Thanks

D.

[cpembleton]

To block skype you need to block at access to the authentication servers. Every Client has to contact to verify the membership and username which is: Skype Auth-Server 80.160.91.11

Skype uses dynamic tcp and udp ports and nat traversal technologies so it makes it difficult to block.

There are a few issues with skype.

1. There code is very heavily guarded and no one really knows what it is doing. I heard of a company in china that was able to crack it.

2. the user agreement states that skype can use your computer as a host and utilize your bandwidth.

Thanks,

Chad

Please rate if this helps!