GFI Beefs up Anti-Spam Features in GFI MailEssentials

Anti-spam solution for Exchange/SMTP servers blocks spam at server level

London, UK, 31 October 2002 – GFI MailEssentials for Exchange/SMTP, GFI’s anti-spam product, can virtually eliminate spam from corporate networks, saving organizations’ time, money and bandwidth. GFI MailEssentials blocks spam at server level while adding essential email tools to Microsoft Exchange Server and other mail servers – like disclaimers, mail archiving, Internet mail reporting, server-based auto replies and POP3 downloading.

The cost of spam

Spam currently accounts for about 36 per cent of all corporate email as opposed to 8 per cent just one year ago (ZDNet, August 2002). It costs roughly US$8.8bn a year, according to a 2001 European Commission survey. Spam protection must therefore form a key part of a company’s network security strategy.

Server-based anti-spam solution

GFI MailEssentials for Exchange/SMTP is a server- based anti-spam solution that installs at the gateway and eliminates the administrative headache presented by client-based anti-spam products. Desktop-based anti-spam products must be deployed on all the network’s workstations and each machine must be updated individually every time the anti-spam rules need changing. Another disadvantage of client- based systems is that, unlike server-based products, they do not prevent the mail server’s message stores from clogging up with spam.

Advanced spam detection technology

GFI MailEssentials employs advanced spam detection technology that tackles spam in three ways:
* Analysis of email content – GFI MailEssentials checks for keywords both in the email body and subject and allows the administrator to use conditions to refine the anti-spam rules.
* Analysis of email header – GFI MailEssentials intelligently analyses the email header and identifies spam based on message field information.
* Tracing the source of the mail – GFI MailEssentials checks if the sender domain is valid and if the sending mail server is on the ORDB list (a database of open relay mail servers).

Advanced spam handling

GFI MailEssentials gives administrators the flexibility to choose what to do with spam. They can delete it, move it to a folder or forward the spam mail to a public email address or folder, allowing users to easily review mail that has been flagged as spam. This way, spam rules can be further tuned and valid emails can be redirected.

A white paper about dealing effectively with spam may be viewed at: http://www.gfi.com/mes/mespapers.htm.

About GFI MailEssentials

GFI MailEssentials enables administrators to block spam at server level; add a corporate message to all outgoing email; archive mail; create reports on email use; download mail from POP3 mailboxes and direct it to one or more Exchange mailboxes; and send server- based auto replies. GFI MailEssentials installs on the Exchange Server 2000 machine and integrates seamlessly without requiring extra configuration. GFI MailEssentials also supports Exchange 5.5, Lotus Notes and SMTP mail servers.

Pricing, specifications & availability

GFI MailEssentials 7.1 is available from distributors around the world or online at the GFI site. Pricing starts at US$225 for 10 mailboxes. More information about GFI MailEssentials is available at: http://www.gfi.com/mes/.

About GFI

GFI (www.gfi.com) is a leading provider of Windows- based messaging, content security and network security software. Key products include the GFI FAXmaker fax connector for Exchange and fax server for networks; GFI MailSecurity email content/exploit checking and anti-virus software; and the GFI LANguard family of network security products. Clients include Microsoft, Telstra, Time Warner Cable, Shell Oil Lubricants, NASA, DHL, Caterpillar, BMW, the US IRS, and the USAF. GFI has six offices in the US, UK, Germany, France, Australia and Malta, and has a worldwide network of distributors. GFI is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and has won the Microsoft Fusion 2000 (GEM) Packaged Application Partner of the Year award.

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