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Graynet
Last Updated: August 18, 2011
Definition - What does Graynet mean?
Greynet refers to applications such as messenger, chat, file sharing and media streaming that users who belong to a corporate network download without the permission of their network administrators. The problem with graynet applications is that they consume corporate time and computer resources. These applications also provide an open door through which end user systems may be compromised by malware or viruses.
Techopedia explains Graynet
Graynet applications use port agility and encryption to bypass corporate security controls.
Graynet poses three main issues:
- Security: Graynets may expose loopholes in a network. These can be compromised by malware or viruses propagated in the end-user systems.
- Privacy: Corporate information can be leaked via graynet.
- Compliance: Employees may use or misuse the unmanaged communication networks created by graynet.
The most pupular graynet applications include:
- Instant messaging
- Web browsing
- Peer-to-peer file transfer
- Web conferencing
- Blogging and Web mail
- Adware/spyware
