Sophos Anti-Virus is a complete anti-virus solution with network functionality at its core. It was designed specifically for the corporate network and offers an easily updated, flexible business solution for managing the complexity of networks from small local area networks to large multi-server, multi-platform WANs.
Updates are constantly available and technical support, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year is included in all licences.
Sophos Anti-Virus is available for all popular desktop and network operating systems, protecting laptops, workstations and servers.
Detection and disinfection
Sophos software has a heuristic capability built into its standard detection methods which allows it to detect some virus variants which have not yet been analysed by the Sophos labs. However, because Sophos intelligently tempers its heuristic capability with other virus-detection technology it is less likely than some competing products to cause false alarms.
Once a virus has been detected, the Sophos virus engine automatically disinfects macro and boot sector viruses. The software can also disinfect common executable viruses.
Sophos' excellent detection rates are regularly recognised and certified by a wide variety of independent testing bodies including TruSecure ICSA Labs, West Coast Labs and Virus Bulletin. The software is also routinely commended by many industry magazines and journals.
  
 Sophos Anti-Virus features
Sophos' unswerving focus on the anti-virus threat guarantees a rapid response to every new virus incident. Sophos Anti-Virus brings 100% virus protection across the entire network in both on-access and on-demand modes.
All points protection
Sophos Anti-Virus monitors all virus entry points, including disks, programs, documents, network drives and CD-ROMs. It also monitors emails, internet downloads, groupware and archive files at the desktop, complementing the gateway protection offered by Sophos MailMonitor. At any of these points Sophos Anti-Virus prevents access to any virus-infected file and, if appropriate, disinfects it.
Centralised automation for single point control
Sophos Anti-Virus's unique approach allows centralised, network-wide installation, configuration and updating from a single machine. Virus incidents are automatically reported and centrally logged. Adding new servers and workstations is simple and straightforward. Pull and push technologies ensure low network load operation without user intervention.
Unrivalled, leading-edge architecture
Through its Intelligent File Recognition, Sophos Anti-Virus's architecture determines which files need to be virus checked by the Sophos virus detection engine, even if they are embedded in other files. Fast scanning speeds, combined with maximum user transparency and minimal performance overheads are not affected by the growing number of viruses.
Effective system resourcing
Sophos Anti-Virus performs incremental updating, downloading only files which have changed since the previous version. In addition Sophos virus identity files are quick and easy to download and have minimum impact on bandwidth when they are deployed over the network.
24-hour virus expertise
Sophos Anti-Virus is backed up by 24-hour telephone support, 365 days per year, giving direct access to qualified technical staff and virus experts.
Simple, flexible licensing
Sophos Anti-Virus licences include protection for servers, workstations and portables, ensuring that there are no hidden extra costs.
Constant update
Continuous updates are available for new viruses detected in the wild and can be downloaded automatically using Enterprise Manager. In addition, full monthly updates are available for download and are also sent on CD to all customers at the beginning of each month.
 Technology
Sophos Anti-Virus incorporates patented InterCheck technology, which has been developed to optimise on-access virus detection in networked environments. It uses a combination of virus scanning and checksumming to minimise the number of times each file needs to be virus checked, without compromising security. This eliminates the deficiencies of many anti-virus solutions which impact on performance, compromise on detection or, more often, both. Sophos Anti-Virus's leading edge virus engine ensures 100% detection. The engine incorporates:
- a full code emulator
- an on-line decompressor
- an OLE2 engine for detecting and disinfecting macro viruses
When Sophos Anti-Virus detects a virus, it logs the incident and alerts the network manager. More importantly, it prevents the user from accessing the infected file: if auto-disinfection is enabled, it cleans the file which can then be used without risk, otherwise it prevents the file being loaded, opened or activated.
 Management tools
Sophos Anti-Virus incorporates a range of management features to support network administrators. This management capability is centrally installed as part of the initial setup.
The management core provides rapid, controlled installation across the network and automated update of all machines from a single point. All virus incidents anywhere on the network are centrally logged and Sophos Anti-Virus allows centralised reporting and messaging to the administrator, individuals and groups.
Additional sophisticated tools including Enterprise Manager and SAVAdmin allow remote installation, remote update and web download of Sophos Anti-Virus.
 Technical support
Support has the highest priority within Sophos. It is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is included in all licences. Support is on a one-to-one basis but behind the personal face is a wealth of technology and interdepartmental liaison backed up by multiple resources to ensure the speedy resolution and tracking of problems. Sophos technical support comes from one globally managed team with members in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, USA, Australia, Singapore and Japan and provides expertise in over 150 countries around the world.
The quality of Sophos technical support has been recognised by analyst group Frost & Sullivan who confirmed Sophos delivers the highest levels of customer satisfaction within the anti-virus industry.
| 
Sophos Anti-Virus is a unique solution to the virus problem, providing true cross-platform protection in a single, fully integrated product. The network-centric design provides a host of benefits for the protection of servers, workstations and portables. Sophos' ground-breaking architecture maximises protection, while minimising performance and administrative overheads. Sophos Anti-Virus is fully scalable, equally at home protecting a single PC, local area network, or an entire enterprise