The Differences Between GFI Software's Hosted Email Security Solutions
Overview
GFI Software now offers a hosted email security solution in conjunction with GFI MailEssentials™ and GFI MailSecurity™. GFI's hosted email security solution is available in two versions - GFI MAX MailEdge™ and GFI MAX MailProtection™. Both services can be deployed in a matter of minutes from any location, without the need to download or maintain any additional software or hardware beyond what a customer already has in place.
Product description
GFI MAX MailEdge
GFI MAX MailEdge is designed to be used as a hybrid solution in combination with an existing onpremise anti-spam/antivirus solution, primarily GFI MailEssentials/GFI MailSecurity - although it can also be used as an add-on to any on-premise email security software or hardware product. GFI MAX MailEdge adds an initial layer of defense in the Cloud, blocking spam runs and up to 90% of junk mail before it reaches a customer's network, thus reducing the bandwidth and processing power required for incoming email, and effectively increasing the capacity of the installed GFI MailEssentials/GFI MailSecurity software. Equally important, GFI MAX MailEdge provides email continuity, whereby the service will automatically queue any legitimate inbound email messages that cannot be delivered, and allow customers to access and respond to those messages when the customer's email server is offline.
GFI MAX MailProtection
GFI MAX MailProtection is a comprehensive email security solution that can be implemented either as a stand-alone solution, or as part of a premium hybrid solution with on-premise antispam software or hardware. GFI MAX MailProtection provides next-generation, highly accurate anti-spam protection, with searchable hosted quarantines that keep virtually all email threats away from a customer's network. The service also includes zero-hour antivirus protection that detects emerging viruses in early stages of their initial outbreak, as well as recognized viruses. GFI MAX MailProtection, like GFI MAX MailEdge, also includes an email continuity service to allow customers on-demand continued access to email even when their own email infrastructure is offline.
What are the differences between GFI MAX MailProtection and GFI MAX MailEdge?
The table on the next page outlines the differences between GFI's hosted email filtering and continuity solutions.
GFI MAX MailEdge | GFI MAX MailProtection | |
| Virus and threat detection | ||
| Inbound virus scanning | *zero-hour AV | |
| Outbound virus scanning | *zero-hour AV | |
| Malware scanning |  | |
| True file-type attachment checking | | |
| Scanning of files within archives | | |
| Spam detection | ||
| DNS-based IP blacklists | | |
| DNS-based URI blocklists | | |
| Multi-layered inbound spam filtering | | |
| Multi-layered outbound spam filtering | | |
| Anti-phishing | | |
| NDR blocking | | |
| Network protection | ||
| Directory harvest attack prevention | | |
| Denial of service protection | | |
| Connection throttling | | |
| Greylisting | | |
| Load balanced delivery, auto failover | | |
| Email continuity | | |
| Administration | ||
| Multiple methods for account synchronization | | |
| Searchable individual quarantines | | |
| Individual junk mail digests | | |
| Individual whitelists/blacklists | | |
| Message logging and search | | |
| Hierarchical management capabilities | | |
| Full partner branding of control panel | | |
| Other features | ||
| Outbound disclaimers and signatures | | |
| Windows, Linux/UNIX, Apple environments | | |
*zero-hour AV – Antivirus used is able to capture new email viruses much faster than other Antivirus vendors
More information
For a comprehensive explanation of both products, the benefits to Partners and customers and the various scenarios where either product is application, read the following White Paper: Email Security Solutions
For a deeper understanding of GFI's Hybrid Approach, read the following White Paper: On-premise vs. Cloud-based Solutions