For network and e-mail protection
By Subashini Selvaratnam
28th March 2002 (Computimes)

TO prevent malicious code from entering computer networks, Millennium Hallmark Software Sdn Bhd has released three content security software - MailMarshal, WebMarshal and MailMarshal Secure.

Its director Kenny Tai said the content security monitors control electronic data that are entering or leaving the organisation via electronic mail (e-mail) or Internet browsing.

"With the Marshal software, organisations can control their incoming and outgoing e-mails and Internet resources. These products protect the computer network from malicious codes," Tai said.

MailMarshal is an e-mail content security software designed for simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP) gateway to filter e-mail threats like spams and viruses.

The software also controls file type download, scans the messages, protects the organisation against confidentiality breaches and provides reports to the respective user.

Meanwhile, WebMarshal is an Internet access control and monitoring software that enables organisations to implement Web usage policy. This provides customised control of Internet use, blocks access to inappropriate Web sites, controls file type downloads and assigns access privileges by group and user.

Keyword method. WebMarshal uses the keyword method for searching documents. Such an approach ensures that users only spend time at productive sites and requires no third-party support, according to Tai.

"Other products use the blacklist approach to control user's browsing activities. Although it provides users with open Web access but it only blocks offensive Web sites such as pornography," he said. "This method does not eliminate surfing to Web sites like online gambling and Web-based e-mail like Hotmail. In addition, the blacklisted Web sites quickly become out of date."

MailMarshal Secure encrypts e-mail, thus ensuring that only the intended recipient of an e-mail can decrypt and read the e-mail. It offers encryption options up to 168-bit triple data encryption standard.

The Marshal products are targeted at enterprises, financial institutions, and small and medium enterprises. The price of each product depends on the number of users.

An annual 20 per cent maintenance fee which gives users frontline tech support via phone or Web is also offered. Users are also entitled to version updates throughout the respective year.

To promote its products, Tai said the company is looking for resellers and partners in the Klang Valley, Penang and Johor.