New Antivirus Wares Shake Up The Market

Global Hauri's ViRobot Expert 4.5 digs into Windows Explorer and MS Outlook, scanning attachments and detecting new viruses in realtime. When unknown viruses are detected, they are moved into a virtual Windows directory to prevent infection. On request, the quarantined virus files can be sent in encrypted form to Global Hauri's Virus Customer Support Team, which will return a virus analysis report within 24 hours.

ViRobot combats boot viruses by letting users create boot disks to eliminate viruses during bootup. A macro virus-monitoring module automatically detects and removes macro viruses when Microsoft Office documents are opened. ViRobot supports most compressed file formats, and viruses contained in multicompressed files are also detected.

ViRobot is compatible with Windows 95 through XP. The software requires a 150MHz or higher Intel Pentium processor, 32 Mbytes of memory, a 50-Mbyte hard disk and Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher.

The CRN Test Center had an actual infected system in the lab when it came time to test ViRobot. Engineers first ran Norton Antivirus, which detected the Trojan Horse virus. They then ran House Call from Trend Micro, which found and quarantined 25 infected files, but not the virus itself. Next, engineers ran Global Hauri's ViRobot, which found and destroyed the Trojan Horse.

Norman Virus Control 5.6 from Norman Data Defense Systems, the second antivirus software product reviewed by the CRN Test Center, uses computer-simulation technology to detect unknown viruses without relying on pattern files. Suspected viruses are tricked into executing in an environment independent of the operating system. Targeted at the SMB and SOHO markets, Norman Virus Control reduces the number of false alarms by letting suspicious files execute fully in a simulated environment complete with emulated network connections, monitoring what the file does from start to finish. Norman Virus Control's engine is so effective that other antivirus products also use it.

For Microsoft users, Sybari Software's Antigen for Microsoft Exchange,the third product reviewed,integrates with the Exchange 2000 virus-scanning API. It provides full protection, including support for messages sent through Outlook Web Access.

Antigen scans all inbound and outbound mail at the Internet Mail Connector (IMC) in Exchange 5.5 and the SMTP stack in Exchange 2000. It provides realtime protection of all storage groups and databases, and realtime protection of inbound and outbound queues at the SMTP stack or at the IMC.

Antigen for Microsoft Exchange supports Microsoft Exchange Server 2000, 5.0 and 5.5, as well as Exchange running on Microsoft cluster servers.

CHANNEL PROGRAM SNAPSHOTS
>VIROBOT EXPERT 4.5
PRICE: $49.99
MARGIN: 10 percent
DISTRIBUTORS: Ingram Micro, Tech Data
TECH RATING:

CHANNEL RATING:

CHANNEL OVERVIEW: Global Hauri entered the U.S. market in March 2002 and customizes its support based on a reseller's particular needs and sales volume. Some co-marketing funds are available across the board. The vendor, based in Korea with U.S. headquarters in San Jose, Calif., provides technical support via a toll-free number --Michael Gros

Note: Vendors can earn up to five stars for technical merit and five for their channel program. If the average of these two scores is four stars or greater, the product earns CRN Test Center Recommended status.

>NORMAN VIRUS CONTROL 5.6
PRICE: $28 per workstation for five to 10 users
MARGIN: 30 percent to 40 percent
DISTRIBUTORS: Direct from vendor
TECH RATING:

CHANNEL RATING:

CHANNEL OVERVIEW: Norway-based Norman Data Defense Systems, with U.S. headquarters in Fairfax, Va., customizes its support, licensing and pricing to the needs of its partners. Technical and sales training are available over the phone or in person, and the vendor helps partners design marketing materials. The company communicates with partners via weekly e-mail messages. --Michael Gros

Note: Vendors can earn up to five stars for technical merit and five for their channel program. If the average of these two scores is four stars or greater, the product earns CRN Test Center Recommended status.

>SYBARI ANTIGEN FOR MICROSOFT EXCHANGE
PRICE: $5,750 for 250 users
MARGIN: 10 percent
DISTRIBUTORS: Interworks
TECH RATING:

CHANNEL RATING:

CHANNEL OVERVIEW: East Northport, N.Y.-based Sybari Software evolved its sales in the past year to 100 percent via the channel from a direct-sales majority. The vendor provides three levels of sales support, technical resources and marketing assistance to partners based on sales volume and level of engagement. Sybari provides frequent on-site sales and technical training, and its sales engineers conduct joint sales calls. The vendor provides flexible pricing and joint seminars and recently unveiled a partner Web site with e-mail blasts that can be co-branded and technical resources. Sybari provides second-tier technical support and service programs --Michael Gros

Note: Vendors can earn up to five stars for technical merit and five for their channel program. If the average of these two scores is four stars or greater, the product earns CRN Test Center Recommended status.