HackerGuardian FAQs

What is a CVC?

Content Verification Certificates are an X509 compliant certificate type and are created, distributed, and revoked using proven PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) methods to provide the highest level of security for web page content. This facilitates the deployment of verified login boxes, verified navigation panes, verified trade marks / brands and web graphics such as the HomeConvenience logo.

CVCs empower enterprises to take a proactive, preventative response to Phishing attacks by allowing highly reliable end-user verification. The verification process, (initiated by the user and not the web server) allows any digitally signed content bound to a specific URL/IP to be rendered onto the display in a different way to all other "non-verified" elements - displaying a highly visible green border around the monitor whenever the user rolls the mouse cursor over trusted content.

CVC's allow website visitors to instantly verify that they are on a legitimate genuine website and not a fake copy.

Why should a customer trust a CVC?

Before issuing a CVC to any organization or individual, Comodo performs a high assurance validation process. We verify the identity of the applicant, the ownership of the domain and the legitimacy of the content to be stored in the CVC.

What is a Payment Credential CVC?

For the first time, consumers can authenticate that payment credential logos (e.g. Visa , Mastercard, etc) on your Web site are genuine and not faked. Content Verification Certificates (CVC) are issued only after Comodo confirms that a merchant is approved by all card issuers. They deliver highly visual assurance to your customers that you are authorized to accept online payments.

Why do I need vulnerability scanning if I have an SSL certificate?

SSL certificates do not secure a web server from malicious attacks or intrusions.
High assurance SSL certificates such as InstantSSL provide the first tier of customer security and reassurance, namely:

A secure connection between the customer's browser and the web server
Validation that the web site operators are a legitimate, legally accountable organization

However, consumer fears in the light of recent attacks on high profile merchant web sites now mean that businesses need to ensure that their websites are tested and are secure against all known vulnerabilities. Furthermore, organizations such as the Payment Card Industry (PCI) have introduced guidelines that make server vulnerability testing a mandatory requirement. The HackerGuardian Scan Compliance service provides merchants with a fast, low cost way of meeting the PCI scanning guidelines.

Are home users a serious target for hackers?

Yes!! Home users are arguably the most vulnerable people around simply because they are usually not well protected. Adopting a 'path of least resistance' model, intruders will often zero-in on home users - often exploiting their 'Always on' broadband connections and typical home use programs such as chat, Internet games and P2P files sharing applications. HackerGuardian Free Scanning Service allows home users and network administrators alike to identify and fix any security vulnerabilities on their desktop or laptop computers.

Where can I find a glossary of terms used on this website?

There is a glossary of terms available in the help section of the HackerGuardian website at http://www.hackerguardian.com/help/glossary.html

Is there a User Manual for HackerGuardian?

There is an online manual at the following location: http://www.hackerguardian.com/help/manualmainpage.html

HackerGuardian Services - Technical FAQ

All Services: Do I need to allow the HackerGuardian scanning IP address?
All Services: I signed up and got the following message: 'No vulnerabilities were found and the host did not respond to any of our checks' - what does this mean?
Free Scan: Can I change the IP address that the Free Scan tests?
Scan Compliancy - I have a dynamic IP assigned by my ISP. Can I still use HackerGuardian?
Scan Compliancy - I have entered my IP in the address book - how long will validation take?
Scan Compliancy - I do not own my IP address - how do I get validated?
Scan Compliancy - How do I configure and run the scans?
All Services: I received an email saying new tests were added but HackerGuardian still shows the old number. How do I add them?
All Services: Does Comodo maintain any statistics about what % of clients consistently a score of 0% on the 'High Risk' threats? Or what % of all commercial servers would have this score?
All Services: How do I upgrade from a trial account to the full version?
All Services: After upgrading, will I have to re-enter my IP/Domain information?
All Services: I am an existing Comodo account holder (e.g. SSL) - can I use my existing Username and Password during purchase?
All Services: Explain the password/username system to me.
Scan Compliancy - Can I scan private (internal) IP addresses?
Scan Compliancy - How many concurrent scans can I run?
All Services: How many ports does each service test?
Scan Compliancy: I get an error when trying to start a scan saying 'no plug-ins are selected'
All Services: I have changed my password, and now cannot login to the HackerGuardian website, why?
Scan Compliancy: Does HackerGuardian use the latest CVSS v2?

All Services: Do I need to allow the HackerGuardian scanning IP address?

In order for the HackerGuardian scan to be successful your firewall must be set to allow the IP address the scan is coming from.

The IP address that we scan from is 216.126.201.143

All Services: I signed up and got the following message: 'No vulnerabilities were found and the host did not respond to any of our checks' - what does this mean?

This can mean one of two things.

Either:

1) The host is currently unreachable.
It could be that the host is unreachable because of a problem with your server.

Quite often, however, it is because your firewall is denying access to the HackerGuardian scanner. In order for the HackerGuardian scan to be successful your firewall must be set to allow the IP address the scan is coming from.

The IP address that we scan from is 216.126.201.143

Or:

2) No services are available on the host and it is secure.

HackerGuardian PCI Scan Compliancy
HackerGuardian PCI Scan Compliancy Enterprise

Free Scan: Can I change the IP address that the Free Scan tests?

No, the Free Scan can only scan the IP address of the machine that you sign into the HackerGuardian website from.

If you need to scan specific IPs or websites then you should consider purchasing one of following:

Scan Compliancy - I have a dynamic IP assigned by my ISP. Can I still use HackerGuardian?

No. It is not possible to use the Scan Control Service unless you have a static IP.

Scan Compliancy - I have entered my IP in the address book - how long will validation take?

If our checks indicate you own the IP address(es) that you have entered then you will be validated quickly and can begin scanning.

Scan Compliancy - I do not own my IP address - how do I get validated?

If our checks shown the IP address(es) are owned by your service provider, we will require that you send a statement from your service provider that you are authorized for the exclusive use of that IP, either in the form of an invoice from the service provider that expressly shows that IP, or a signed statement from the service provider. We may also need to contact the service provider to verify that statement.

In either case, validation of the right to scan an IP is a one time process and usually takes just a couple of days.

All Services: I received an email saying new tests were added but HackerGuardian still shows the old number. How do I add them?

Click the tick at the top of the plug-selections to enable all new tests in the current scan.
This is explained in more detail in the 'Plug In' section of the online help guide here: http://www.hackerguardian.com/help/set_plugins.html#updates

All Services: Does Comodo maintain any statistics about what % of clients consistently a score of 0% on the 'High Risk' threats? Or what % of all commercial servers would have this score?

Comodo does not maintain any sort of global statistics about the scan results we produce.

All Services: How do I upgrade from a trial account to the full version?

Upgrade PCI Scan Control Service
Click the Upgrade to Full Service button in the HackerGuardian interface.

Upgrade by using the regular sign up pages at: https://www.hackerguardian.com/sas/user/free/get_standard_recurring_licence2.jsp

Remember to select 'Existing Customer' and use your regular Comodo account username and password to during signup.

All Services: After upgrading, will I have to re-enter my IP/Domain information?

Free Scan and Free PCI Scanning Service

Both free license types are for a fixed period. At the end of this period the license expires.

Scan Control Centre:
For the PCI Scan Control Service any previously validated IP addresses will still be useable.

All Services: I am an existing Comodo account holder (e.g. SSL) - can I use my existing Username and Password during purchase?

Yes. You should use the 'Existing Customer Option' and enter your existing Comodo UN/PW during the signup process. You can then also use your Comodo account Password and Username to log into the HackerGuardian interface at www.hackerguardian.com

All Services: Explain the password/username system to me.

During signup you created a Comodo account with a Username and Password. This Username and Password has dual functionality:
1. Use it to log into your Comodo account and manage your Comodo account details. You can log in at http://www.comodo.com
2. Use it to log into the HackerGuardian web-application interface. Do this using the login box at: http://www.hackerguardian.com

Also see documentation at: http://www.hackerguardian.com/help/starting_up.html

Scan Compliancy - Can I scan private (internal) IP addresses?

No. The scan control center will not scan private IP addresses that refer to machines internal to your network.

Private IPs ranges are defined by RFC 1918 as:
10.0.0.0 - 10.255.255.255 (10/8 prefix)
172.16.0.0 - 172.31.255.255 (172.16/12 prefix)
192.168.0.0 - 192.168.255.255 (192/168/16 prefix)

Scan Compliancy - How many concurrent scans can I run?

The both the Standard and Enterprise versions of the scan control center are restricted to 3 concurrent scans. Please contact sales@comodo.com if you would like to increase this number.

In order to set up vulnerability scanning on an IP address, you first need to add it to the Address Book.

Once an IP address is stored in the address book it becomes available for selection in the Start Scanning area of HackerGuardian. You can add as many IP addresses as you like to the address book, and you can run as many concurrent scans on IP's as per the license you purchased.

First add the IP addresses to the address book. More information on this is available in the online help guide here: http://www.hackerguardian.com/help/address_book.html

Second, choose the IP addresses you want to scan - including multiple addresses simultaneously. More information on this is available in the online help guide here: http://www.hackerguardian.com/help/start_scanning.html

All Services: How many ports does each service test?

Different level of services will allow for different total numbers of ports to be scanned. (If you use the Scan Control service, you may define ranges of ports to be scanned within the 'Set Options' page in the 'Port Range' field.)

The PCI Scan Control Service scan tests up to a total of 65,535 ports - the total number of ports available on your system.
The Daily and Free services will scan the first 15,000 ports on your system. This is a targeted selection of the most commonly used (and commonly attacked) ports.*

* Note that most services run on the reserved ports below 1024 and security industry experts agree that these are the most commonly targeted ports. In some circumstances it will be beneficial to test all 65,535 ports, but administrators should be aware that this will lengthen the scan time.

All Services: I have changed my password, and now cannot login to the HackerGuardian website, why?

When you change your password there is a delay between changing it, and that change being synchronized with the HackerGuardian database.

Please allow 15 minutes for the synchronization to take place after changing your password.

Scan Compliancy: Does HackerGuardian use the latest CVSS v2?

Yes. HackerGuardian uses the latest Common Vulnerability Scoring System version 2 (CVSS v2). All HackerGuardian PCI Scan customers are not impacted by the change from CVSS v1 to v2 as we have already been using v2.

PCI FAQ

What is PCI DSS?
What is the Self Assessment Questionnaire?
What are the compliance validation reporting requirements for merchants?
To whom does the PCI regulations apply?
What is defined as 'cardholder data'?
What if a merchant or service provider does not store cardholder data?
Are there alternatives, or compensating controls, that can be used to meet a requirement?
Are there alternatives to encrypting stored data?
What are the compliance validation reporting requirements for merchants?
Do merchants need to include their service providers in the scope of their review?
What is a network security scan?
How often do I have to scan?
What reports are provided by HackerGuardian scanning service?
What criteria causes a Pass or Fail on a PCI scan
What if I fail the PCI scan?
Where can I find and complete the Self-Assessment Questionnaire?
Where can I find a PCI Approved Scanning Vendor capable of providing quarterly PCI vulnerability scans?
What's the deadline for compliance/ When must I begin using the new PCI standards?
What are the penalties for non-compliance with the PCI standards?
Make it easy for me. What do I have to do to become compliant?

What is PCI DSS?

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) are a set of 12 requirements developed jointly by Visa, MasterCard, JCB International, Discover and American Express to prevent consumer data theft and reduce online fraud. The PCI DSS represents a multifaceted standard that includes requirements for security management, policies, procedures, network architecture, software design and other critical protective measures.

Compliance and validation of compliance with some or all of the 12 requirements is mandatory for any organization that stores, transmits or processes credit card transactions.

The exact number of requirements (out of the 12) that any one organization need comply with is dependant on that organization's 'Validation Type'. An organization's Validation Type is determined by precisely how that organization handles credit card data. There are 5 such 'Validation Types' and every organization will that needs to be PCI compliant will be categorized as one of these types. (see table 'Validation Types')
Once an organization has determined its 'Validation Type' (or the organization has been assigned as a particular validation type by its acquirer) it can complete the Self Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) and Attestation of Compliance that is appropriate for that 'Validation Type'.

Click here to begin the wizard

What is the Self Assessment Questionnaire?

The PCI Data Security Standard Self Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) is a validation tool intended to assist merchants and service providers who are permitted by the payment brands to self-evaluate their compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).

Comodo has simplified this often confusing process with the launch of the HackerGuardian PCI Compliance Wizard. The intuitive web-based application guides merchants through every step of the PCI Self Assessment Questionnaire. Each question is accompanied by expert advice to help the merchant interpret and appropriately answer each question. At the end of the wizard you will find out immediately whether or not your answers qualify your organization as PCI compliant.

The wizard will provide:

A Questionnaire Summary - Listing security control areas on which you failed compliance
A custom 'Remediation Plan' for your company containing:
- A comprehensive list of remedial actions that you need to take to attain full PCI compliance
- A remediation planning tool enabling task prioritization and project management
- Links to recommended products and services that will help you cost-effectively resolve non-compliant areas
A 'ready-to-submit' PCI DSS Self Assessment Questionnaire

Your progress is automatically saved after each question - allowing you to log out and return at a later date to complete the questionnaire. Your free account and responses are retained, giving you an opportunity to revise and modify any of your answers. This also allows you to update, schedule and track the progress of outstanding remediation tasks.

What are the compliance validation reporting requirements for merchants?

Under the new PCI standard, the compliance validation requirements of the old VISA CISP and MasterCard SDP programs have been aligned so that merchants need only validate their compliance once to fulfill their obligation to all payment cards accepted. Merchants will provide compliance validation documentation to their Acquirer(s). Compliance validation documentation consists of the appropriate annual self assessment questionnaire (and accompanying attestation of compliance) and possibly the quarterly PCI scan compliance report.

To whom does the PCI regulations apply?

The PCI DSS standards apply to all entities that process, store or transmit cardholder data. This includes all merchants and service providers with external-facing IP addresses handle, store or transmit credit card data. Even if your website does not offer website based transactions (for example, you link to a payment gateway) there are other services that may make card data accessible. Basic functions such as e-mail and employee internet access will result in the internet accessibility of a company's network. These seemingly insignificant paths to and from the internet can provide unprotected pathways into merchant and service provider systems if not properly controlled.

What is defined as 'cardholder data'?

Cardholder data is any personally identifiable data associated with a cardholder. This could be an account number, expiration date, name, address, social security number, etc. All personally identifiable information associated with the cardholder that is stored, processed, or transmitted is also considered cardholder data.

What if a merchant or service provider does not store cardholder data?

If a merchant or service provider does not store cardholder data, the PCI requirements still apply to the environment that transmits or processes cardholder data.

Are there alternatives, or compensating controls, that can be used to meet a requirement?

If a requirement is not, or cannot, be met exactly as stated, compensating controls can be considered as alternatives to requirements defined by the PCI DSS. Compensating controls should meet the intention and rigor of the original PCI requirement, and should be examined by the assessor as part of the regular PCI compliance audit.

Are there alternatives to encrypting stored data?

Stored cardholder data should be rendered unreadable according to requirement 3 of the PCI Security Audit Procedures document. If encryption, truncation, or another comparable approach cannot be used, encryption options should continue to be investigated as the technology is rapidly evolving. In the interim, while encryption solutions are being investigated, stored data must be strongly protected by compensating controls.

An example of compensating controls for encryption of stored data is complex network segmentation that may include the following:

Internal firewalls that specifically protect the database
TCP wrappers or firewall on the database to specifically limit who can connect to the database
Separation of the corporate internal network on a different network segment from production, fire- walled away from database servers.

What are the compliance validation reporting requirements for merchants?

Under the new PCI standard, the compliance validation requirements for merchants of the VISA CISP and MasterCard SDP programs have been aligned so that merchants need only validate their compliance once to fulfill their obligation to all payment cards accepted. Merchants will provide compliance validation documentation to their Acquirer(s). Compliance validation documentation consists of the annual self assessment questionnaire and the quarterly PCI scan compliance report.

Do merchants need to include their service providers in the scope of their review?

No. Service providers are responsible for validating their own compliance with PCI regulations independent of their customers.

What is a network security scan?

A Network Security Scan involves an automated tool that checks a merchant or service provider's systems for vulnerabilities. The tool will conduct a non-intrusive scan to remotely review networks and Web applications based on the external-facing Internet protocol (IP) addresses provided by the merchant or service provider. The scan will identify vulnerabilities in operating systems, services, and devices that could be used by hackers to target the company's private network. As provided by qualified scan vendors such as Comodo the tool will not require the merchant or service provider to install any software on their systems, and no denial-of-service attacks will be performed.

How often do I have to scan?

Every 90 days / once per quarter. Merchants and Service providers should submit compliance documentation (successful scan reports) according to the timetable determined by their acquirer. Scans must be conducted by a PCI Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV). Comodo is a PCI Approved Scanning Vendor.

What reports are provided by HackerGuardian scanning service?

HackerGuardian Scan Control service provides two reports after each scan - the Audit Report and the PCI Compliance report. The PCI Compliance report is the one you need to submit to your acquiring bank to demonstrate compliance. The Audit Report is a more technical document used to identify and remediate any security holes.

What criteria causes a Pass or Fail on a PCI scan

Each post-scan HackerGuardian vulnerability report states a PCI compliance status of 'Compliant' or 'Not Compliant' based on the discovery of potential security flaws on your systems.

If no vulnerabilities with a CVSS base score greater than 4.0 are detected then the scanned IP addresses, hosts and internet connected devices have passed the test and the report can be submitted to your acquiring bank.

If the report indicates 'Non Compliant' then the merchant or service provider must remediate the identified problems and re-run the scan until compliancy is achieved.

What if I fail the PCI scan?

If your HackerGuardian PCI Scan Compliance Report indicates 'NOT COMPLIANT' then vulnerabilities with CVSS base score greater than 4.0 were discovered on your externally facing IP addresses. The accompanying Audit Report contains a detailed synopsis of each vulnerability prioritized by threat severity. Each discovered vulnerability is accompanied with solutions, expert advice and cross referenced links to help you fix the problem. You should fix all vulnerabilities identified as a 'Security Hole'.

Furthermore, each report contains a condensed, PCI specific, 'Mitigation Plan' - a concise, bulleted list of actions that you need to take to achieve compliance.

After completing the actions specified in the Mitigation Plan you should run another scan until the report returns a 'COMPLIANT' status.

Where can I find and complete the Self-Assessment Questionnaire?

HackerGuardian, in partnership with Panoptic Security, provide a free wizard that guides merchants and service providers through each stage of self-assessment questionnaire. More details on the wizard can be found here: here

Merchants have to answer all questions with 'Yes' or 'N/A to be considered PCI compliant. Answering 'No' to any question means the merchant or service provider is not compliant. The risk(s) identified by the questionnaire must be remediated and the questionnaire retaken. After creating a user name and password, merchants can save their progress at any time. Following successful completion of the questionnaire, merchants will be provided with official certification that can be submitted to their acquirer.

Where can I find a PCI Approved Scanning Vendor capable of providing quarterly PCI vulnerability scans?

Right here!! Comodo HackerGuardian offers a range of PCI compliance services designed for merchants and service providers of all sizes. Click here to find out more.

What's the deadline for compliance/ When must I begin using the new PCI standards?

The Payment Card Industry Standards, Security Audit Procedures, Self-Assessment Questionnaire, and Security Scanning Requirements are effective immediately.

What are the penalties for non-compliance with the PCI standards?

Validation and enforcement is the responsibility of the acquiring financial institution or payment processor.

For each instance of non-compliance, these organizations levy various penalties onto merchants and service providers which can include:

Increased transaction processing fees
Fines of more than $500,000 for serious breaches
Suspension of credit card transaction processing abilities

Comodo HackerGuardian provides a range of services that make PCI compliance easy. Find out which service is right for you at www.hackerguardian.com

Find out more about HackerGuardian PCI Scanning Services

Make it easy for me. What do I have to do to become compliant?

1. Complete the PCI Self-Assessment Questionnaire using our free, online wizard

Preliminary questions will help you to determine which 'validation type' your company fits into and therefore of the 4 self assessments questionnaires you need to complete.
Each of the questions is accompanied by expert help, information and advice that will help you to both interpret the question correctly and provide the appropriate answer
Once the wizard is complete, you will receive:
- A questionnaire summary detailing any control areas on which you failed compliance
- A custom 'Remediation Plan' for your company containing a list of remedial actions that you need to take alongside links to recommended products and services that will help you resolve non-compliant areas.
- A 'ready - to - submit' PCI DSS Self Assessment Questionnaire which will include your completed 'Attestation of Compliance'

2. Conduct a quarterly vulnerability scans on your externally facing IP addresses

If your organization is required to be compliant with section 11.2 of the PCI standard then you will also need to obtain quarterly vulnerability scans on your network.

HackerGuardian will conduct an in-depth audit of your network to detect vulnerabilities on your network and web-server. If your servers fail the test, you will find lots of helpful advisories in the scan report that will help you patch the security holes.

After your infrastructure passes the scan, HackerGuardian will automatically generate the PCI Compliance report that you need to send your acquiring bank as to demonstrate your compliance.

3. Send the completed questionnaire, attestation and the Scan Compliance report to your acquirer.

Both the PCI Scan Compliant report and the Annual Self Assessment Questionnaire should be turned into your merchant bank. Your merchant bank will then report back to the Payment Card Industry that your company is PCI Compliant.