Microsoft bolsters email security with Sybari acquisition

Liked the software so much it bought the company

By John Oates • Get more from this author

Posted in Financial News, 8th February 2005 15:18 GMT

Microsoft is strengthening its security expertise with the purchase of Sybari Software for an undisclosed amount.

Sybari sells software which protects messaging servers from malware and spam attacks. It claims more than 10,000 business customers, representing more than 10m end users. Financial terms were not revealed.

Mike Nash, VP of Microsoft's security business technology unit, said: "Through this acquisition, we're... able to provide customers with a server-level anti-virus solution that delivers advanced file and content-filtering capabilities and the use of multiple scan engines."

Microsoft has been using the software for the past eight months - they liked it so much they bought the company.

Microsoft CIO Ron Markezich said the software helped Microsoft deal with worm viruses, spoof viruses and viruses hidden in Zip attachments. Sybari's ability to cut costs by working with consolidated Exchange servers was also important. Markezich said the software had helped cut costs and Microsoft: "We haven't had a single email-related infection since adopting Sybari."

Press release is here. ®