ScanMail broadens virus fight

Trend Micro Inc. last month released the latest version of its antivirus

software for Microsoft Corp.'s Exchange, which for the first time can scan

both incoming and outgoing e-mail for viruses.

ScanMail for Exchange 3.5 uses a new application programming interface

released by Microsoft in its latest service pack for Exchange. The new virus

scan API allows ScanMail to check incoming and outgoing e-mail at an organization's

information store rather than just the incoming e-mail at each users' desktop.

"Until recently, antivirus products running on Exchange were very limited,"

said Dan Schrader, chief security risk analyst for Trend Micro. "Exchange

only allowed scanning of inbound mail."

The new functionality not only performs more checks on e-mail but speeds

up the checks so that the performance is now 50 percent faster, Schrader

said. And checking e-mail at the information store makes it much easier

for organizations to update the antivirus software across the enterprise,

he said.

Microsoft created the new API after many high-profile e-mail viruses

struck last year, including the Melissa virus that affected many federal

agencies using the company's Exchange e-mail server. ScanMail for Microsoft

Exchange Server is available on the GSA schedule starting at $379 for a

one year, 25-user license, including maintenance and updates. Volume discounts

apply.