New service promises no more web or IM viruses
An IT security company has launched in the UK, claiming that its outsourced security service can protect enterprises from the threat of web and IM-borne viruses.
The service from Scansafe routes a customer’s web traffic through a proxy, monitoring for virus activity in file downloads and malicious Java, Javascript and ActiveX code executed when users visit infected websites or use instant messaging.
At the moment, conventional anti-virus programs are not guaranteed to find viruses caught through web browsers, especially if relevant patches have not been applied.
The threat from unscanned links passed through e-mail or webmail was of particular concern.
If a virus is detected in traffic, users are informed through a customised webpage, and administrators are sent an e-mail. Staff can monitor detection broader patterns by way of reports noting type of infection and sources on a daily or weekly basis.
The system costs from £2.75 per user per month for up to 25 seats, down to £1.25 per user per month for 500-1,000-seat networks. However, once proxying has been set up, the system operates invisibly with no management overhead, so this is an all-in service.
“Historically, the e-mail threat has been the most significant. Increasingly, virus writers are focusing on the web,” said technology director John Edwards. He was also adamant the service would not add latency to web traffic, even at peak loads, describing its effects as “near zero”.
