The expansion of viruses and different spyware through e-mail is one of the most popular methods, selected by malefactors. Each network administrator should be aware of this danger and take the appropriate steps for the installation of the anti -virus and anti-spam software.
The first step that you should perform on this way is the choice of good anti-virus software. There is a great choice of multiple anti-virus systems. We would like to take your attention towards one of them - the Maillscanner. The discussion whether it is good or bad can take much time, however, it works perfectly. The Mailscanner is not the anti-virus software by its architecture. It is a set of Perl scripts, which are treated as interfaces between the anti-virus software and the mail server.
The Mailscanner could be used as anti-spam filter as well. However, this is a theme for further discussion. Let us concentrate on the Mailscanner usage as the anti-virus software.
The Mailscanner is developed for the use at Unix like platforms. The best results for its work are when it is integrated with the MacAfee anti-virus software. It would be a better solution to choose SuSe Linux 7.2 as a server platform. The distributive package interface includes the Amavis as well.
The configuration of the package could be a little bit complicated for the user. This software requires a modification of the configuration file for the MTA agent. Thus, the Maillscanner is a tool, which only the advanced users or the system administrators should install. There is a similar ideology for all the anti-virus systems of this type. At the first stage, an electronic letter goes to a temporary folder, and finally, the Mailscanner or Amavise handles it. After these procedures, the letter goes to the end users absolutely clear and free of harmful viruses. The letter may also not pass, due to the parameters of the set up. The correct functioning of the system is possible, when the task is included to the configuration of the MTA agent or you start the process with the definite keys.
An optimal performance of the system is achievable, if we use the operation system SuSE Linux 7.2, the sendmail MTA agent, the McAfee anti-virus software and, certainly, the Mailscanner. There is a certain sequence for the system installation and startup. First, we need to set up the anti-virus software. There is nothing complicated, and the installation script will do most part of the work. Furthermore, some customizations for the Mailscanner interface can be done. For instance, the Mailscanner provides an opportunity to edit the configuration files, which are responsible for the messages that will be sent to the users, administrators and senders of infected letters about the detection of the virus.
Mailscanner.conf is the name of the main file that you will need to edit in the process of the anti-virus adjustments. This software provides some simple solutions that will help to establish a safe and efficient work of your Linux operation system.
The prevention of virus spreading is the best way to avoid many troubles, which are the real nightmares for each system administrator. Taking off responsibility from the users is a good way to establish an efficient and safe work for the whole system. The Mailscanner software is a very efficient solution, as it stops the infection at the earliest stage - when it just has came to the mail server, therefore, the users will not receive an attractive proposals to test new games from their virtual friends. A good anti-virus protection should be provided on time to prevent a wide infection of the whole network. The prevention of troubles is possible, when a perfect anti virus software is selected and processed.