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McAfee Email and Web Security Appliance

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The McAfee Email and Web Security Appliance uses a multitude of scanning techniques to analyze both web and email traffic for threats. Email traffic is inspected for spam and phishing using a variety of detection methods, including reputation, heuristics, signatures and content. Web traffic is filtered using category- and reputation-based policies. This appliance uses both local databases, as well as a connection to McAfee Trusted Source services to provide constant and up-to-date scanning capabilities.

We found initial setup of this appliance to be very simple and straightforward. The initial configuration is done via an eight-step setup wizard which gets the appliance up and running in the network environment. After the initial setup is complete, this product is running with a solid default policy and instantly begins scanning network traffic. All administration is done via the web-based interface, which we found to be quite easy to navigate with an organized layout.

This tool includes many policy and scanning options for flexible deployment in almost any network. Policies can be set up to both block and monitor HTTP, FTP, POP3 and SMTP protocols for possible threats and malware. Web traffic can be scanned instantly for threats - including viruses, spyware and adware - and when problems are detected, the user is alerted and blocked from going any further.

Documentation includes a short quick-start guide that illustrates how to get the appliance up and running in the network in a few easy steps. Other documentation can be found on the website and includes many PDF guides, such as the product guide, which is the administrator's guide for the product. We found all documentation to be easy to follow with a few screen shots, but we would have preferred more step-by-step instructions, especially in the policy configuration sections.

McAfee offers no-cost access to an online knowledge base, as well as a user forum and documentation downloads. Technical support is offered at a cost of 30 percent of the product price per year and includes 24/7 phone and email support, assigned support specialists and on-site technicians.

At a price of just under $4,000, we find this product to be a good value for the money. The Email and Web Security Appliance offers a comprehensive amount of protection at a fair price.

Product title
McAfee Email and Web Security Appliance
Product info
Name: Email and Web Security Appliance Description: Easy to use and simple to manage policies, this tool offers protection from both web- and email-based threats. Price: $3,995 for up to 300 users
Strength
Easy to use and simple to manage policies, this tool offers protection from both web- and email-based threats.
Weakness
Documentation could include more depth on policies.
Verdict
Another solid product in the McAfee suite.

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