Anti-virus vendors target Exchange.

Learning from Melissa and Worm.ExploreZip, Trend Micro and Network Associates Inc. (NAI) are both producing anti-virus applications for use with Microsoft Exchange in order to block viruses before they enter networks. "The last couple of particularly nasty virus outbreaks we_ve seen have been spread through e-mail," said EricHemmendinger, an analyst at the Aberdeen Group, in Boston. Trend Micro_s ScanMail for Microsoft Exchange, Version 3.0 now provides not only anti-virus capabilities but also e-mail content filtering and spam blocking through its eManager plug-in. It also supports clustering and provides a file-blocking feature for emergency virus-alert situations. "That_s one thing we learned from Melissa and her sisters," said Dan Schrader, vice president of technology at Trend Micro, referring to ScanMail_s capability to deny all attachments during fast-spreading infestations. ScanMail Version 3.0 also includes a Microsoft Outlook Administrator Interface to provide single-console management from a Windows NT desktop or Exchange server, online support, and an Active Update system to update and install new scan engines, pattern files, and program files. NAI will use this week_s Microsoft Fusion 99 conference in San Francisco to introduce GroupShield for Exchange Version 4.0.3. The product now has a native Exchange interface, and ViruLogic, a new heuristics engine that scans for likely virus behavior, as well as for traits that viruses do not have.