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'Worry Free' Client/Server Messaging Security
Monday, January 23, 2006
This security suite from Trend Micro is aimed at small and medium networks, fights malware and includes monitoring and reporting tools
A close cousin of their enterprise offering on the same
lines, the 'Worry Free' is aimed at reducing the burden on the administrator
to stay on top of attacks all the time. This product suite offers both network
protection (in the form of a firewall), as well as an anti-malware agent. The
messaging component installs into MS Exchange and scans for both spam and
malware. The administrative console of the system is called the 'Security
Dashboard' and provides really detailed reporting with controls to do
everything from remotely deploying agents on client systems to scanning and
monitoring them.
| Price:
$242 for 5 users
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| Meant
For: Small and medium network |
| Key Specs: Centralized Management Console, Remote Monitoring Tools, Intra-Tools communication over SSL |
| Pros: integration with Exchange Server, centralized management, automated tasks |
| Cons: None |
Contact: Trend Micro, Delhi.
Tel: 42699000.
E-mail: sales.in@trendmicro.com
RQS# E53 or SMS 130153 to 9811800601 |
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You need to install the system first onto a server.
Ideally, this would be separate from other servers you are running. The
installation is fairly straightforward and takes four stages to complete. During
this time, you need to provide a number of settings, most of which come
pre-defined and pre-selected. Once fully installed on this system, you can use
its four subsystems: the Security Dashboard, Security Server, Client/Server
Security Agent and the Messaging Security Agent.
The dashboard
Configuration information is fairly detailed and easy to set up using the
Dashboard. It lets you automate most security tasks like mail scanning, alerts
for outbreaks and initiate and control scanning on clients. On this interface,
there is a 'Live Status' section where you can monitor everything in real
time, all neatly classified by their status and criticality.
In addition, the Dashboard also lets the administrator
manage definition and application updates for all components of the suite, with
full rollback facility. Updates can be downloaded manually or on a schedule. You
can also upload update files if you have received them through other means (like
a CD). Further, if your organization is large enough and you're running your
own update server, you can let the program download updates from that server as
well. The rollback feature lets you revert to previous definition files (if
needed). Other options provided by the Dashboard include: deployment of
client/server security agents to the various desktops and servers and setting up
scan parameters for users. The configuration tools affect settings for both the
anti virus and firewall. You can also setup desktop privileges such as the
authority to enable/disable the agent and select the quarantine directory. The
anti virus and firewall components both have a detailed list of configurations
for Client/Server and can be configured to very discrete levels of security
options.
Security Server
At the heart of the update management system, it collects logs and helps
control virus outbreaks. The Security Server also makes sure to minimize damage
in case a threat has already broken; it updates the definitions from the server,
and checks for possible damages already incurred due to that threat. The
Security Server distributes the updated virus definitions to clients too.
Agents
The Client/Server Security Agents interact with Security Server to provide
vital information on security status of the clients where they are installed.
One good thing about these agents is that they can be deployed to a remote
client very easily from the 'Security Settings' tab of the Dashboard. It
allows the administrator to set up scheduled scans for the clients. This
provides a complete automation of security tasks from a centralized console.
How good?
While testing the anti-virus capabilities, we executed a remote scanning of
a client Win XP PC purposely infected with our collection of viruses. The
anti-virus was able to detect all of them, even scanning recursively through ZIP
files. A notable performance feature about the software was that the 'Live
Status' window also updated to show information of the actions taken as the
scan progressed. The firewall blocked communications from the client completely
on the network.
We also tested the Messaging Security Agent by throwing
spam on an MS Exchange e-mail account. Here too, there was a real-time scanning
option available, and status updated accordingly in Live Status screen.
Bottom Line: With a detailed interface for
centralized control and wide range of features, this security suite may be your
answer to being 'worry free' as the name promises, for both network and
server/client security.
Anadi Misra
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