As perviously announced on We Got Served, the next update for the HP MediaSmart Server will include aa trial of an anti-virus product called McAfee Total Protection Service. A user help guide, already published on the web, helped us pull together a quick preview of the software.
First off, this looks like a great add-in if you’re looking for a threat protection on your WHS box. It will obviously scan for viruses, spyware and other threats. One of the nice features is the full integration with the WHS console. According to McAfee:
Total Protection Service is a comprehensive security management solution that:
- Checks for viruses, spyware, unwanted programs, and other potential threats. Every time a file is accessed on your server, Total Protection Service scans the file to make sure it is free of viruses and spyware.
- Sends security status information for your server to an administrative website that is unique to your account, known as the McAfee SecurityCenter. You can visit the SecurityCenter to check detection reports or set up security rules.
- Updates itself automatically at regular intervals with the latest versions of components and detection definition (DAT) files. This ensures that Total Protection Service is always able to protect you against the latest threats.
As for the scanning abilities, the add-in will feature both manual and scheduled scans which will automatically be interrupted if there’s some amount of activity on the WHS (i.e. during a backup.) I’m a little concerned over the impact this add-in will have one the general performance of your WHS because of this paragraph:
“Checks for viruses, spyware, unwanted programs, and other potential threats. Every time a file is accessed on your server, Total Protection Service scans the file to make sure it is free of viruses and spyware.”
…but if it does indeed suspend scanning during media streaming and other functions which require full performance from your home server, that will be a great feature.
The software only protects your home server - it does not install any protection on any home computers you run on your network (unlike Avast AntiVirus for WHS which includes this option) Personally, I think the lack of “client” support is a serious flaw for a true ‘home server’. Remote installations/updates of small virus-/spyware scanners these are the things I like to see in a WHS product.
Imagine, you purchase an antivirus program for your WHS box with 10 client licenses (the maximum number of PC’s WHS supports) and each time a new computer is added to the WHS your server installs a small scanner on the client pc. All scans can then be controlled from the WHS console. These are the things that would make a good add-in a great one.
McAfee Total Protection Service is free to HP MediaSmart Server owners for the first six months of use, after which a subscription fee for updates will apply.
We’re still waiting to hear about release dates for the the HP Update - I’ll be very interested to test out the software if it is released for self-built home servers, but look out for a full review of the HP update at WGS soon.
Source: McAfee
July 20th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Any idea as to whether or not this is a forced install included in the HP update, a choice, or something that can be removed after installation? In truth, I have never found a McAfee product to be worth anything. In most situations the software is loaded down with so much, I have seen clients loose up to 30% of their overall system performance. This one bothers me greatly on a home server.
July 20th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
“Checks for viruses, spyware, unwanted programs, and other potential threats. Every time a file is accessed on your server, Total Protection Service scans the file to make sure it is free of viruses and spyware.”
Maybe a stupid question, but isn’t this exactly the point of having a virusscanner running? As far as I know of, every scanner I’ve used do this.
July 20th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Where I work, our servers have enterprise versions of virus protection, spam filters, etc. Can’t remember which ones, but they seem pretty effective.
On our individual workstations, we have McAfee installed. The one I use, which is a hi-powered CAD workstation, we had to disable on-access scans, as it brought the system to its knees. The CAD program we use can open hundreds of files when opening large layouts, so this feature was not a good solution in this case. Unfortunately, I can’t comment on competing products. It does, however, kind of dampen any good impressions I might have of this product.
July 20th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
@Jerry
I believe the McAfee installer will merely sit under available add-ins and the end user may choose to install it but he is not forced to do so.
July 21st, 2008 at 2:30 am
I’ve been running this addin for a couple weeks. (I snuck a copy of the HP update off their FTP). The addin is optional and will appear in the “available” tab in the addins section. I usually hate mcafee and norton, but gave it a shot since it’s integrated in the console. I do like it so far and have noticed no difference with server performance.
The trial is 7 months, btw.
July 21st, 2008 at 5:16 am
@MitchSchaft
I really would like to get my hands on it… do you still have or remember the FTP location?
July 21st, 2008 at 10:58 am
So this is the anti-virus already featured in “April” HP WHS update WGS wrote about here:
http://www.wegotserved.co.uk/2008/05/22/hp-mediasmart-server-update-arrives-with-new-media-streaming-anti-virus-capabilities/
???
And it’s just a TRIAL?
Well, I was going to exchange my home-built WHS box for the HP mainly for the included anti-virus, which I supposed was free and already out — from reading the May WGS article. Thank God I didn’t do it.
Next time I’ll have to carefully verify what WGS says.
July 21st, 2008 at 4:32 pm
That doesn’t make much sense, Karel. I digress :D.
Alexander, the update is out so I guess I won’t have to sneak it over to you :D.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:36 pm
nice one