Get answers to your questions about Forefront Security for Exchange Server.
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Q. What is Forefront Security for Exchange Server?
A.
Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server includes multiple scan engines from industry-leading security firms integrated into a single solution to help businesses protect their Exchange messaging environments from viruses, worms, and spam. It ships with and integrates multiple industry-leading antivirus engines to provide comprehensive, layered protection against the latest threats. Through deep integration with Exchange Server, scanning innovations and performance controls, Forefront Security for Exchange Server helps protect messaging environments while maintaining uptime and optimizing server performance. Forefront Security for Exchange Server enables administrators to easily manage server configuration and operation, and automated scan engine signature updates and reporting, at the server and enterprise level.
Q. What’s new in Forefront Security for Exchange Server with SP2?
A.
New feature enhancements in Forefront Security for Exchange Server with SP2 include:
Visibility of all actively published engines
UI display of all available engines as well as currently configured engines
Event logs and notifications provide information about new engine availability or retirement
Rollup of software fixes
Q. Why should I upgrade to Forefront Security for Exchange Server SP2?
A.
Customers should upgrade to SP2 in order to take advantage of the new set of five antimalware engines that will be available December 1, 2009. This service pack introduces technology that will notify customers of engine changes – including the addition or elimination of engines – and allow administrators to update their engine configurations without having to deploy any new product updates. This update allows customers to accommodate engine changes effortlessly, helping maintain the high level of security provided in the Forefront server security products. Customers can also upgrade to take advantage of the rollup of all software fixes.
Q. What anti-spam features does Forefront Security for Exchange Server include?
A.
Customers who purchase Forefront Security for Exchange Server will also receive a license to use Exchange Server 2007 premium anti-spam features that will enable:
Microsoft IP reputation filter service —an IP block list that is offered exclusively to Exchange 2007 customers. Premium spam protection also includes automated updates for this filter.
Automated content filtering updates for Microsoft Smartscreen spam heuristics, phishing Web sites, and other Intelligent Message Filter (IMF) updates.
Targeted spam signature data and automatic updates to identify the latest spam campaigns. Automated anti-spam updates for Exchange Server 2007 reputation filter.
These features ensure that organizations have the most up-to-date protection against the latest spam attacks.
Q. Where can I find Forefront Security for Exchange Server product documentation?
A.
The User Guide for Forefront Security for Exchange Server can be found here.
Q. Is Forefront Security for Exchange Server part of the Exchange Enterprise Client Access License (CAL)?
A.
Yes. Forefront Security for Exchange Server is included in the Exchange Enterprise CAL.
Q. Is Forefront Security for Exchange Server part of the Forefront Security Suite?
A.
Yes, Forefront Security for Exchange Server is available as part of the Forefront Security Suite or can be purchased on a stand-alone basis.
Q. How is Forefront Security for Exchange Server licensed?
A.
Forefront Security for Exchange Server is licensed through the Microsoft Online Services program on a per-user subscription model. This license includes all antivirus and anti-spam engine updates, signatures, and product upgrades during the license period. Customers will be able to license Forefront Security for Exchange Server through the following Microsoft volume licensing programs:
Enterprise Agreement
Enterprise Agreement Subscription
Select
Academic Select
Government Select
Open Value
Open Value Subscription
Server Provider License Agreement
High Volume Services
Campus and School Agreement
Q. How can I get pricing for Forefront Security for Exchange Server?
A.
Forefront Security for Exchange Server pricing is available through your Microsoft account representative or your authorized reseller.
Q. Which anti-virus scan engines will be part of the new engine set effective December 1, 2009 with SP2?
A.
Microsoft continually checks antivirus engine quality and detection rates through 3rd party independent testing organizations. We have found that using multiple malware engines consistently provides the highest detection rates against the competition and represents an average response time of 3-6 hours for new viruses. In contrast, competitive single-engine solutions average response times are more than 2-9 days as noted in recent AV-Test.org data. The set of five engines available in Forefront server security products as of Dec. 1, 2009 includes Microsoft AV, Kaspersky, Norman, VirusBuster and Authentium. However, these engines may change over time as we seek to improve overall protection metrics and to maintain our detection advantage relative to our competition and in support of our customer needs.
Q. What versions of Exchange Server does Forefront Security for Exchange Server with SP2 support?
A.
Forefront Security for Exchange Server supports Exchange Server 2007 and Exchange Server 2007 with SP1. For customers with Exchange Server 2003 or Exchange 2000 Server with SP1, purchasing Forefront Security for Exchange Server will provide downgrade rights to Antigen for Exchange, which supports these earlier versions of Exchange Server.
Q. In what languages is Forefront Security for Exchange Server available?
A.
Forefront Security for Exchange Server is available in 11 languages including English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, and Russian.
Q. How do I manage Forefront Security for Exchange Server?
A.
Microsoft Forefront Server Security Management Console provides central configuration, deployment, updating, and reporting for all Forefront Server Security products, including Forefront Security for Exchange Server. Download the trial.
Microsoft Operations Manager 2005 customers can use the Forefront Security for Exchange Server Management Pack for MOM to supply critical events and alerts on virus and worm activity to Microsoft Operations Manager 2005, and manage the health and availability of Forefront Security for Exchange Server. Download the Forefront Security for Exchange Server Management Pack for MOM.
Q. Will Forefront Security for Exchange Server be part of the next version of Exchange Server?
A.
No. Microsoft intends to continue to provide this technology in a stand-alone set of security products.
