Antivirus Utilities

As malicious virus writers continue to create and release new viruses, worms, Trojans, and other malicious code into the data and networking world, antivirus companies are working hard to create new approaches to traditional prevention techniques. The new VSAPI version 2.5 in Exchange 2003 provides better interaction when a virus is found and also allows virus scanning applications to scan for viruses throughout the organization on different types of Exchange servers, such as front-end servers and bridgehead servers, instead of just servers hosting Exchange mailboxes.

Unsure if your current antivirus product supports VSAPI? Consult your product documentation and check the Registry key at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSExchangeIS\VirusScan. If an entry is present, your current antivirus software is using the VSAPI. If not, you should consider upgrading your antivirus software to improve email scanning performance and security.

Sybari Antigen for Exchange

A subsidiary of Microsoft, Sybari (www.sybari.com) provides a robust solution for virus scanning in the enterprise. Antigen for Microsoft Exchange supplies a layered protection solution that offers a solid defense against undesirable traffic. Antigen also minimizes worm-generated spam and safeguards the Information Store through the proprietary Antigen Worm Purge technology.

Symantec Mail Security for Microsoft Exchange

Symantec (www.symantec.com) provides an integrated security solution that protects against viruses, Trojans, worms, and other unwanted content. Symantec Mail Security for Microsoft Exchange uses proprietary NAVEXTM antivirus technology that defends against new and known viruses. Via the integrated LiveUpdate feature, updated virus definitions can be deployed enterprisewide without stopping scan services or incurring server downtime.

McAfee GroupShield for Microsoft Exchange

McAfee (www.mcafee.com) provides proactive security solutions that protect network and system infrastructure from zero-day threats (attacks that take advantage of software vulnerabilities for which there are no available fixes) such as viruses, Trojans, and worms. As part of the McAfee Protection-in-Depth Strategy, GroupShield for Exchange protects Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 environments from all types of malicious email-borne threats.

Panda Exchange Secure Antivirus

Panda Software (www.pandasoftware.com) provides a complete antivirus for Microsoft groupware servers. Their flagship antivirus product for Exchange 2003, Panda Antivirus for Exchange Server, scans and disinfects all inbound and outbound corporate email traffic in real-time and blocks malicious content before it reaches the recipient's mailbox.

Trend Micro ScanMail for Microsoft Exchange

Trend Micro's (www.trendmicro.com) ScanMail for Microsoft Exchange guards against viruses, Trojans, worms, and other malicious code hidden in email. By filtering inbound/outbound email traffic at the SMTP connector-level, ScanMail blocks threats before they can enter or leave the mail server, protecting end users from unwanted email content.