Microsoft Bakes and Shakes for New Security Tools

Published: February 15, 2006

by Alex Woodie

Microsoft security R&D labs have been active of late, as the new beta releases of Windows Defender, Internet Security and Acceleration Server (ISA) 2006, and Antigen (formerly Sybari) products will attest to. The M&A section of the shop has also been getting some exercise, as evidenced by the acquisition of the DynaComm i:filter Web-filtering product.

But first, the betas. With ISA Server 2006, Microsoft has enhanced the integration of the firewall/VPN/compression product with other Windows components, and included new deployment and management tools to reduce customers' costs and simplify their user experience, the company says. Interested parties can download the beta at www.microsoft.com/isaserver/2006/beta.mspx.

There's also another beta release of the Windows Defender (formerly Windows AntiSpyware) software floating about. The beta 2 release features better spyware detection and removal capabilities, GUI improvements, integration with Microsoft's "automatic updates" service, new "voting statistics" for seeing how other people categorized potential spyware, and the capability to be used by any Windows users, not just those who are logged on as administrators. You can download this free tool at www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx.

Microsoft also announced it has acquired the DynaComm i:filter product from FutureSoft, a Houston company that offers a family of security products dubbed the DynaComm i:series. The DynaComm i:filter helps organizations control access to online porn, gambling, unproductive surfing, and prevent potential hostile workplace lawsuits, the company says. "We were impressed with DynaComm i:filter's rich database and comprehensive management feature set," says Ted Kummert, corporate vice president for security, access, and solutions. "It's a product which already integrates with ISA Server and we will be looking at ways to deepen that integration, and simplify the user experience."

Lastly, Microsoft says there is currently a private beta test underway for the new versions of security software that it acquired with Sybari last year. These products include Antigen for Exchange, Antigen for SMTP Gateways, Antigen Spam Manager, and Antigen Enterprise Manager. They should be generally available in six months, Kummert says.