Paying for network spyware protection

shedlord · May 9, 2005

Our company has a small network of several dozen PCs. All have automatically updated antivirus protection and connect to the web using Clearswift Mimesweeper as a proxy. Users are not allowed to download files from the web. Our email is all scanned for viruses etc by Clearswift Mailsweeper. We also have servers which are managed by a third party IT services company. This company is now offering an anti-spyware service. Here is part of the email I received...

"The Anti Spyware service is a integrated managed solution offering best of breed anti-spyware software together with live 24/7 monitoring and management of the application performance. Latest detection signatures are automatically gathered and installed from our operations centre. Similarly infestation detection and removal are remotely monitored and managed with comprehensive web reporting showing live information regarding the health of the system and current performance statistics.

Key features of the service include:

- Installation of “best of breed” anti – spyware software
- Initial on - site full system cleanse
- 24/7 monitoring of system performance
- Automatic signature gathering and installation
- Minor infestations removed automatically
- Live web based reporting of service performance

The service is available for an initial installation and software licence fee together with a low monthly cost per user for the on-going service monitoring and management. The monthly fee includes an annual onsite health check visit and one additional onsite visit in the event of a major infestation which has bypassed the system.

Further Details

For a limited period we are offering selected customers & prospects the chance to check for Spyware with a low-cost audit & if we find nothing – it’s free."

The AntiSpyware software they mention is by Trend Micro.

We recently installed Microsoft AntiSpyware on all these machines. This catches about two thirds of spyware apparently. In my experience Spyware is more a nuisance than a serious threat. In 2 years we have had only one problem (with a Browser Hijacker - not lethal). The only serious threats on the list they supplied are Remote Access Trojans and Keyloggers. Should these be caught by our Antivirus programs?

Is it worth us buying this service?

Major Attitude · May 9, 2005

For a dozen machines as secure as yours sound, it might not be worth the money to purchase a bulk license of an anti-spyware program. A lot of spyware programs act like viruses and are detected by anti-virus programs. It sounds like your really secure, but at the end of the day, do you want to gamble your computers and business on it? I certainly wouldnt. Most home computers usually have nothing to lose, I am guessing a total network break down could be costly to you. It just seems like a good idea to have all the security you can get on business machines tied not only together, but to the internet. Theres a possibility of anything spreading from machine to machine.

I think you should take them up on the free scan, after you scan yourself to see what you have. Once they scan, make them prove it is there, not just by saying that their program detected it, find the registry keys and files so you know if your infected. Lots of people are infected and unaware of it, so there is always a chance you are as well.

shedlord · May 9, 2005

Having run Adaware, then Spybot, then MS AntiSpyware on the same machine before, and watched each program pick up files the others missed, I wouldn't be suprised if their scan using Trend picked up something new.

But if we bought this and had it as our sole line of defence then the situation could easily be reversed. In group tests none of these antispyware programs seem to do as well as you would hope (82% success was the best I saw somewhere, for Spyware Eliminator). Maybe we should buy it on the condition that nothing will get through!?

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Paying for network spyware protection

shedlord Private E-2

Major Attitude Co-Owner MajorGeeks.Com Staff Member

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