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]