Week In Security: Fizzer Worm, Distribution Deals, Funding

• The Fizzer worm spread rapidly worldwide via e-mail and the Kazaa file-sharing network, prompting a rash of alerts from security vendors. The worm surfaced last year but picked up speed on Monday. By midweek, though, it appeared to be slowing down. Network Associates reported a steep decline the number of Fizzer reports (see story).
• Antivirus vendors issued alerts about new modifications to the Lovgate Internet worm, which was detected in February. The modifications function in the same way as their Lovgate predecessors, which spread via e-mail and LANs, according to Kaspersky Labs.
• Websense, a supplier of Internet filtering and management software, announced an integration and distribution agreement with Cisco Systems. Under the pact, Websense Enterprise software will be embedded in Cisco's series of Content Engines. The integration will boost network performance and security, the companies said.
• Saflink, a provider of biometric security software, inked a distribution deal with Alternative Technology, a Denver-based distributor.
• Astaro, which makes a Linux-based multipurpose security appliance, said it raised a Series A round of $6.2 million from co-investors Insight Venture Partners, New York, and Wellington Partners, Munich, Germany. The Burlington, Mass.-based company said it will use the funding to expand its Linux-based product line, channel program and strategic alliances with hardware OEMs.
• The Information Systems Security Association (ISSA), a nonprofit group for security professionals, and the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)2, a nonprofit training and certification organization, announced plans to create a nonprofit foundation to advance the information security profession.
• NetSec, a Herndon, Va.-based provider of managed security services, introduced Finium, a new version of its security monitoring and management services platform. Finium services include vulnerability management, event management and co-management. The co-managed security service gives customers the flexibility to choose a combination of outsourced and in-house solutions.
• 14 South Networks, an IBM spin-off, unveiled a security appliance platform that it said allows a company to integrate security applications such as Check Point Software Technologies' VPN-1/FireWall-1 within the server without affecting host operations. 14 South Networks said it offers a security appliance blade that operates autonomously within an industry-standard server, requiring no changes to the server or client systems.
• Symantec unveiled a vulnerability assessment tool and a new version of its Incident Manager product. Vulnerability Assessment 1.0 helps administrators identify vulnerable systems across their networks, prioritizes vulnerabilities, and provides links to security patches and guidance on how to harden a system if a patch isn't available, Symantec executives said (see story).
• Check Point Software Technologies unveiled Application Intelligence, a new technology to ward off application-level attacks. The technology will be incorporated into the company's flagship FireWall-1 Next Generation with Smart Defense (see story).