Features

Top Layer's Attack Mitigator IPS is actually a family of ASIC-based Network Intrusion Prevention Systems (NIPS), with blocking and control against certain types of cyber attacks. The product tested is the Attack Mitigator IPS 2400, a combination of multiple Attack Mitigator IPS 1000 and load-balancer units.

Produced by McAfee, and the only Host-based IPS (HIPS) tested, Entercept monitors events at the operating system or application server level. As it does not deal with network-based exploits, it is very complementary to existing solutions that deal with attacks on that level, such as firewalls and network-based IDS or IPS products. The latest version adds welcome new features such as a new licensing scheme, key backup capabilities, additional reports, OS lockdown and custom signatures, as well as numerous improvements "under the hood."

Based on standard and custom-designed processors, the NAI IntruShield system is a high-performance appliance that offers real-time network intrusion detection and prevention against known and unknown, denial-of-service (DoS) attacks for enterprise networks.

Proventia G Series is a new range of turnkey intrusion prevention appliances from ISS. They are designed to proactively block malicious attacks from entering the network, including denial-of-service (DoS), intrusions and malicious code, backdoors and hybrid threats like MS Blaster or SQL Slammer. Proventia G Series blocks attacks in real-time, minimizing the need for active administrator involvement in most security events.

The IDP-500 is a turnkey appliance-based system which uses as many as eight detection methods to detect malicious network traffic. This Intrusion Detection and Prevention (IDP) System is capable of operating in in-line mode as an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) or as a passive Intrusion Detection System (IDS) attached to a span or mirror port on a switch.

You would not leave your home without locking the door behind you and likewise you would protect your car when parked, so why do we quite happily leave documents open for anyone to see, print, alter or otherwise manipulate?

Gordano Messaging Suite is a complete mail server, with integrated anti-virus, anti-spam, and content filtering. As a mail server, it offers a cost-effective alternative to Microsoft Exchange and integrates tightly with Outlook in the same way that Exchange does. There are many additional features, such as support for dial-up collection of email from your ISP by POP3. It also has Extended Turn (ETRN) support for dial-up to extend SMTP should you need to use it. Client machines can be supported via POP3, IMAP, or a webmail interface.

CipherTrust IronMail is a hardware appliance that offers anti-spam and email security. It provides secure delivery, basic certificate management, comprehensive policy management, and alerts you to suspicious behavior.

Kerio offers a mail server with anti-virus, anti-spam, and content filtering. As a mail server, it is a cost-effective alternative to other products and offers extra features. For example, it can be used with a dial-up internet connection because it supports POP3 as well as SMTP for mail collection from an ISP. It has Extended Turn (ETRN) support for dial-up to extend SMTP if required. Client machines can be supported via POP3, IMAP, or a webmail interface.

MailScan can be installed on an existing mail server and is available in over twenty variants to support many third-party Windows-based mail servers. We tested the generic version aimed primarily at non-Windows mail server platforms, MailScan for SMTP Servers.

PineApp's Mail-SeCure is an appliance with models ranging from home user to enterprise network. We tested the 2040, a mid-range model aimed at SMEs that comes in a slim, rack-mountable case, includes a firewall and has three Ethernet ports (internal, external, and DMZ). Their unit is configured via a web interface.

Clearswift MAILsweeper analyzes incoming and outgoing email at the internet gateway so organizations can implement management and security policies to block spam, viruses, inappropriate content, and comply with legal requirements.

MailMarshal is installed as an email gateway and may be used in conjunction with any SMTP-compatible email server. However, MailMarshal SMTP also supports POP3 mail protocols, and can act as a POP3 mail server for up to 300 users. It can also collect emails via POP3 for situations where there is a dial-up connection to the Internet.

The OrangeBox Mail software is designed to provide a complete email filtering system implemented as an SMTP relay at the gateway to the Internet. It runs on Windows 2000 or XP Professional and requires Microsoft Office to be installed for the analysis of Office documents. Remote management is also supported.

This product provides a content-filtering SMTP gateway on the Windows 2000/2003 Server operating system. It can share a server with other applications, but a dedicated server is recommended. It is available as a plug-in for Microsoft Exchange 5.5 and 2000, which can then police internal emails. It has open relay protection.

Yet again Cisco has churned out an over priced book for one of its courses and filled it out with acronyms and confusing explanations. Nice diagrams though.

PC-Duo is a collection of applications covering remote control, Helpdesk, inventory control and software distribution, software metering and system diagnostics. This very much a management-oriented system, with the ability to generate comprehensive reports on those aspects of most concern to line and middle management. The remote control software is a customised version of the NetSupport Manager application, with its range of operating modes, file transfer and scripting facilities.