Message Labs
Press release
3 May 2001
F4i announces licensing agreement
with MessageLabs to provide integrated email filtering technology
First 4 Internet, the UK-based developer of advanced software, announces
a worldwide licensing agreement with MessageLabs, the Internet level email
filtering company. First 4 Internet will license its Image Composition
Analysis software to MessageLabs for inclusion into its SkyScan portfolio
of centrally managed services, which includes anti-virus, anti-pornography,
anti-spam and content filtering protection.
The use of First 4 Internet's Image Composition Analysis software, which
correctly identifies and categorises around 95% of the images that it
scans (source: TesCom), will ensure that MessageLabs' customers have the
tools to block offensive or inappropriate e-mails. This will safeguard
employers from the legal and regulatory ramifications of offensive images
in the workplace whilst helping to improve worker productivity. According
to IDC Research 30% to 40% of employee Internet activity is not business
related and costs employers millions of pounds in lost productivity.
First 4 Internet's ICA software complements MessageLabs' already ground
breaking technology. MessageLabs has gained a reputation as the only global
virus scanning company who has never let a virus get through to any of
its customers' systems. It was the first AV company to stop and name the
LoveBug and one of the first to issue an official warning to the press
on the outbreak of the Anna Kournikova virus. By filtering emails at the
Internet level, and analysing virus behaviour, MessageLabs provides an
AV service which is superior to anything else currently on the market,
and which doesn't require virus signatures.
"As a leading provider of managed services which protect customers
from threats such as viruses, unsolicited mail, malicious and sensitive
content and pornography, MessageLabs is an ideal partner for us,"
says Mathew Gilliat-Smith, managing director of First 4 Internet. "It
is estimated that 27% of Fortune 500 companies have battled harassment
claims stemming from employee misuse of
e-mail and Internet systems. There is a clear need for technology to help
control this rising problem."
"MessageLabs' Internet level approach has proved unbeatable in the
fight against virus infection," says Ben White, CEO of MessageLabs.
"By incorporating F4i's new technology, MessageLabs will also be
able to intercept pornographic material before it reaches desktops and
network boundaries. This partnership means we will continue to provide
market leading email filtering technology and services. "
About First 4 Internet
First 4 Internet is a UK-based developer of advanced software applications.
The company headquarters are in Banbury with regional offices in Cardiff
and London and was founded in November 1999. First 4 Internet's partners
include SurfControl and MessageLabs.
First 4 Internet also provides community building software for brand leaders
such as Kellogg's.
About Message Labs
MessageLabs is a leading Managed Services Provider (MSP) specialising
in Internet level email content filtering. Its revolutionary SkyScan portfolio
of services enables customers to be protected from threats such as viruses,
unsolicited mail, malicious & sensitive content, and pornography,
which are all intercepted before they reach the customers' network boundaries.
MessageLabs' global infrastructure currently extends to the UK, Benelux,
Germany, US and Hong Kong where its service has proven to be the most
advanced of its kind, by being the first company to intercept the infamous
'Love Bug' virus. MessageLabs works with some of the world's largest Service
Providers including BT, UUNET, KPN and Cable and Wireless, and customers
include Fujitsu, Rentokil, Vodafone, and the Bank of England. MessageLabs
is part of the Star Technology Group, with over 300 employees across the
globe, and was established in January 2000. For further information, go
to www.messagelabs.com.
For further information, please contact:
Sam Page/Katherine Elmore-Jones
Herald Communications
+44 (0) 20 7 340 6300
[email protected]
/
[email protected]
Mathew Gilliat-Smith
First 4 Internet Ltd
+ 44 1295 255777
[email protected]
MessageLabs
Helen Desmond
hblmedia
+44 (0) 20 7612 1830
[email protected]
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