Does streaming media create security threat?

  • Thread starter Thread starter RMcM
  • Start date Start date
R

RMcM

I work in a company with a 35 user network. We have a t1
internet connection and have a firewall between the users
and the internet. Our IT person indicates that listening
to radio streams on media players opens a hole in the
firewall and creates a security threat - that some virus
or other code could be passed through the firewall on the
stream - and go undetected by the virus software. Is this
a real issue with media players and streamed content?
Should all network users have media players (ie Windows
Media Player) with streaming capabilities disabled?
 
Really...I don't see how it can represent anything other than a
bandwidth-sucker and potential time-waster.
 
RMcM said:
I work in a company with a 35 user network. We have a t1
internet connection and have a firewall between the users
and the internet. Our IT person indicates that listening
to radio streams on media players opens a hole in the
firewall and creates a security threat - that some virus
or other code could be passed through the firewall on the
stream - and go undetected by the virus software. Is this
a real issue with media players and streamed content?
Should all network users have media players (ie Windows
Media Player) with streaming capabilities disabled?
Click to expand...

Buffer overflow vulnerability in these players would constitute a
security threat. Do a google search for keywords: media player buffer
overflow

Roger
 
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