- Jun 24, 2016
- 636
Pwnie Express Pwn Pro Review:
COST: $2675.00
When I showed a coworker the bright orange Pwn Pro box from Pwnie Express, he immediately and vociferously expressed concern that I would destroy our network and steal his data. That's understandable, since this humble box contains dozens of penetration testing software tools designed to test if a network can withstand a hacker's assault. But after working with the Pwn Pro for a few weeks, it's clear that its most valuable role is as a network sensor, capable of giving IT professionals an expansive look at the devices and access points in and around their offices. With its companion Pwn Pulse Web software (which is free for a year with purchase of the device), the Pwn Pro is an always-on sensor and remote appendage for centralized IT to reach out and touch any network.
Pwn Who?
The idea for the original Pwnie Express devices comes straight from the malicious hacking world, where attackers create customized microcomputers and hide them near targets in order to assault networks. But one hacker's weapon is another IT manager's tool box.
Yes, the Pwn Pro does have scary-sounding software on board. And the Pwn Pulse Web interface can be used to write and execute scripts remotely. The idea isn't to cause damage, however, but to coordinate penetration testing, or pentesting for short. You can think of pentesting like a war game, with the goal of uncovering unknown vulnerabilities. Pentesting can also verify if a suspected vulnerability can actually be exploited.
Like many security products, the Pwn Pro could be used for mischief. But it would be far easier (and cheaper) for a would-be attacker to install the same tools on a low-cost microcomputer than spring for the Pwn Pro. What's more, an attacker would probably have little use for the customer service and powerful backend that Pwnie offers.
What's In the Box?
We reviewed Pwnie Express's first product, the Pwn Plug back in 2012, shortly after the company made a splash at the RSA security conference. That first model was a relatively affordable $770 on the high end, lacked the custom Linux operating system that now powers Pwnie's devices, had nothing like Pwnie's powerful Pwn Pulse software.
Today, the Pwn Pro costs a hefty $2,675, but at least that price should deter casual troublemakers. While you definitely get your money's worth, the high price is something of a relief, since we thought the original Pwn Plug was too accessible.
The original Pwn Plug was designed to be surreptitious; it looked like a bulky power adapter, had the name of a fake company on its exterior, and even came with stickers to pass it off as an air freshener. That's not the case with the Pwn Pro, which looks more like a wireless router, sporting a sturdy metal design, a corrugated, aluminum-finish top, and sides colored a distinctive, even garish orange. It measures 1.5 by 7.7 by 5.2 inches (HWD) and the only control on the box itself is a single on/off switch that glows blue when the PWN Pro is powered up.
Read the Full Review at the link at the top of the page
COST: $2675.00
When I showed a coworker the bright orange Pwn Pro box from Pwnie Express, he immediately and vociferously expressed concern that I would destroy our network and steal his data. That's understandable, since this humble box contains dozens of penetration testing software tools designed to test if a network can withstand a hacker's assault. But after working with the Pwn Pro for a few weeks, it's clear that its most valuable role is as a network sensor, capable of giving IT professionals an expansive look at the devices and access points in and around their offices. With its companion Pwn Pulse Web software (which is free for a year with purchase of the device), the Pwn Pro is an always-on sensor and remote appendage for centralized IT to reach out and touch any network.
Pwn Who?
The idea for the original Pwnie Express devices comes straight from the malicious hacking world, where attackers create customized microcomputers and hide them near targets in order to assault networks. But one hacker's weapon is another IT manager's tool box.
Yes, the Pwn Pro does have scary-sounding software on board. And the Pwn Pulse Web interface can be used to write and execute scripts remotely. The idea isn't to cause damage, however, but to coordinate penetration testing, or pentesting for short. You can think of pentesting like a war game, with the goal of uncovering unknown vulnerabilities. Pentesting can also verify if a suspected vulnerability can actually be exploited.
Like many security products, the Pwn Pro could be used for mischief. But it would be far easier (and cheaper) for a would-be attacker to install the same tools on a low-cost microcomputer than spring for the Pwn Pro. What's more, an attacker would probably have little use for the customer service and powerful backend that Pwnie offers.
What's In the Box?
We reviewed Pwnie Express's first product, the Pwn Plug back in 2012, shortly after the company made a splash at the RSA security conference. That first model was a relatively affordable $770 on the high end, lacked the custom Linux operating system that now powers Pwnie's devices, had nothing like Pwnie's powerful Pwn Pulse software.
Today, the Pwn Pro costs a hefty $2,675, but at least that price should deter casual troublemakers. While you definitely get your money's worth, the high price is something of a relief, since we thought the original Pwn Plug was too accessible.
The original Pwn Plug was designed to be surreptitious; it looked like a bulky power adapter, had the name of a fake company on its exterior, and even came with stickers to pass it off as an air freshener. That's not the case with the Pwn Pro, which looks more like a wireless router, sporting a sturdy metal design, a corrugated, aluminum-finish top, and sides colored a distinctive, even garish orange. It measures 1.5 by 7.7 by 5.2 inches (HWD) and the only control on the box itself is a single on/off switch that glows blue when the PWN Pro is powered up.
Read the Full Review at the link at the top of the page
