Sophos last week announced a version of its endpoint antivirus software that adds new threat-protection and administration features.
Endpoint Security and Control 7.0, available now, lets organizations deploy one software agent on PCs and laptops to protect against threats, according to company officials. This version adds automated management across Windows, Mac and Linux PCs, integrated intrusion prevention and easier control of unauthorized applications to the product's existing antivirus capabilities.
With this release, Sophos has integrated products that can scan for viruses, spyware and adware; monitor for suspicious user behavior; and defend against the installation of unauthorized applications, such as VoIP or instant-messaging software, media players or games -- all with a single scan of the system, officials say. Enterprises can enforce the same security policies across Windows, Mac, and Linux PCs via Sophos' Enterprise Console, which also monitors for networkwide outbreaks and lets administrators block rogue applications from being installed.
Version 7.0 synchronizes with Microsoft's Active Directory to automatically enforce these security policies when new PCs are added to the network, they say.
The included zero-day threat protection leverages Sophos' technology that detects and executes suspicious files before allowing them on the network, and performs run-time analysis and buffer-overflow protection, officials say. The Sophos Client Firewall is included.
Sophos says the integration of these capabilities, unlike the stand-alone offerings that competitors McAfee and Symantec offer, gives enterprises a higher level of security.
Pricing for Sophos Endpoint Security and Control 7. 0 -- which includes the company's antivirus, firewall, mobile security, enterprise console, application control and host intrusion prevention -- is priced at US$28.75 per user for one year, based on companies with between 500 and 999 employees.