What is Brightmail, is it a type of email or is it an email provider

Asks Madeline

A. Brightmail is neither of the above. It is computer software that protects email from the likes of spam, viruses, junk mail etc. or as Brightmail puts it, it "provides advanced message management solutions that enable ISPs, ASPs, wireless service providers, Internet portals and enterprises to protect the integrity, efficiency, security and usability of their email systems."

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Q. How does it actually work

A. Brightmail sets up a mailwall on your PC (usually a network of PCs) - known as the Brightmail Solution Suite (BSS) - which is basically an analysis and filtering system (similar to a firewall) that sifts through in-coming email and blocks out any it sees as a threat to your computer or network. In addition, if and when Brightmail discovers a new virus for example it can send a filter to the BSS on your network and protect it from future threats.

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Q. What differentiates the Brightmail Solution Suite from other mailwalls

A. Two parts of the Brightmail Solution Suite are unique: the Probe Network and the Brightmail Logistics and Operations Centre (BLOC).

The Probe Network is a collection of email accounts with a statistical reach of over 100 million mailboxes. The network attracts and catches large quantities of spam, serving as an early warning system to detect spam attacks as they occur. The Probe Network forwards these messages in real time to the BLOC for analysis.

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The BLOC is staffed full-time to examine incoming email to uncover new forms of email attack, and write rules to block them from affecting Brightmail customers. The BLOC is unique in the anti-spam service world, and employs some of the most knowledgeable experts in this area.

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In addition, the BSS has two components: Anti-Spam and Anti-Virus. The BLOC updates filters for the Anti-Spam portion and the Anti-Virus solution receives updates from Symantec Corporation.

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Q. Can Brightmail work on individual computers or just those that are networked e.g. in a work environment

A. Technically they can install their software to work on one PC, but the system is designed to support a network (large or small) of computers in a business environment. It places Brightmail servers onsite e.g. in your office to pick up any offending email.

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Q. How does Brightmail actually benefit a large network of computers

A. It has quite a few benefits that include the following:

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(a) it prevents spam, viruses, and worms from entering - and disrupting - a network

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(b) supports multiple operating systems

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(c) upholds privacy of individual email

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(d) provides an effective, scalable server based solution helps service providers keep their customers - spam is one of the top five reasons people change their ISPs.

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Q. What products does Brightmail offer

A. It offers anti spam, anti virus and content filtering software, plus its MThree product - for Mobile Message Management - which allows you to forward mail to mobile devices without fear of infection.

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Q. Is Brightmail a UK company and if so who owns it

A. No it is an American company, based in San Francisco. It is independently owned, but its partners include CMG, Symantec, Sendmail, Openwave, and Critical Path.

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Q. Does Brightmail actually read your email

A. No, the email never really leaves your computer or your network - Brightmail just updates your anti virus and anti spam software continually and any email it identifies as dodgy it classifies as grey mail - so you can decide whether to open or bin it. However, Brightmail has the added advantage of employing people, not just other computers, to do a lot of the work on its system - it is the only message management company to employ experts around the clock to identify and block spam and virus that are transmitted via email.

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Q. What exactly is spam and what is wrong with it

A. Spam is unsolicited e-mail. It consumes time and resources and is a nuisance to all email users.

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By Karen Anderson

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