Network Associates Unveils Linux Anti-Virus

Network Associates Inc. on Monday shipped McAfee LinuxShield, an anti-virus package expressly designed for Linux servers.

Based on the company's McAfee virus-scanning engine, LinuxShield scans for viruses, worms, and other malicious code that can threaten Linux systems. It features automatic signature updates, can sniff out viruses within archived files, and has a heuristic scanner that can pinpoint suspect worms and viruses before an updated signature is actually available.

Although Linux has been plagued by far fewer viruses and worms than Windows, Network Associates is pitching LinuxShield as a necessary defense for Linux servers in heterogeneous environments. The software can detect, destroy, and defend against Windows malware that passes through Linux servers before they reach clients running Microsoft's operating systems.

"Most new viruses, worms, and blended threats are targeted at Microsoft, but invade the enterprise via a series of non-Microsoft platforms such as routers, firewalls, and Linux platforms," said Eric Hemmendinger, research director at Aberdeen Group. "McAfee LinuxShield helps prevent the Linux platforms from being exploited as network entry points for Microsoft-targeted viruses, worms, and blended threats."

The anti-virus software is managed from McAfee's ePolicy Orchestrator console. LinuxShield works on servers running Red Hat 9.0; Red Hat Enterprise 2.1 and 3.0 Advanced Server/Workstation/Enterprise Server, SuSE 8.2 and 9.0, and SuSE Enterprise 8 Server.