Email in poor health? You need a free check up!
Email in poor health? You need a free check up!
Mar 11, 2005: Organisations with good virus and spam protection applications can still be susceptible to other unwanted files entering their email system, but security software provider Clearswift is looking to plug that vulnerability through the introduction of a free online ‘check up’ service to help companies measure their email health.
“Most companies have defences against viruses and spam but aren’t well protected against other content-based attacks such as executable files and dangerous scripts,” said Peter Croft, managing director Clearswift Asia Pacific.
The 'check up' helps identify key vulnerabilities in content security infrastructure, by simulating over 30 menaces which attack networks.
The test sends emails that spoof various malware threats, and embeds them in a variety of common file formats such as Excel workbooks, Word documents and PDF to make detection difficult.
“The test enables administrators to work out whether they are susceptible to viruses or spam. It also helps them work out whether their network permits the distribution of profane or pornographic material, as well as copyrighted or confidential information. It also exposes large multimedia files like mpeg, mp3 or jpg files that can be easily shared."
Croft pointed out that the developers of malware are often ahead of the anti-virus and spam defences of a typical corporate network.
"There are many ways to hide malware in common files formats, which make it easy to slip through security defences."
The service is the first of three Clearswift plans in the coming weeks. The others will assess a company’s vulnerability to web-based threats and outbound email threats, such as the distribution of confidential or offensive material.
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