Created: 2012-11-09 11:30:00
For the several past years, ESET has been one of few vendors that was offering external AV protection for customers using Kerio solutions.
We' ve supported them by the integration of our scanning API included in Kerio Mail Server (renamed to Connect) and Kerio Win Route
Firewall (renamed to Control).
However, as Kerio was moving away from individual applications towards software & virtual appliances (on which integration with us
wasn' t possible) they' ve tried to push integrated Sophos AV.
In their official blog post they are announcing that they will drop the support for external plugins in 2013, due to low interest from their
customers, when even the most used 3rd party AV accounted just for the 2% of user base.
Our sales were dropping constantly since 2009, due to aggressive pricing policy and technological shift that external vendors (including
ESET) were not able to respond to.
Kerio approach:
1. Later this year, Kerio will remove the anti-virus plug-in dialog from the admin interfaces of Kerio Control 7.4 & Kerio Connect
7.5.
- Fresh new installation of Kerio products won' t show the AV choice dialog, customers will be able only to use Sophos / No protection.
- For existing users of Kerio products & our ESET solution, upgrade will preserve the current settings.
- Currently available version of Kerio Connect is 7.4.3 & currently available version of Kerio Connect is 7.3.2 (meaning that both products are just one version prior to the one without support).
2. In 2013, plug-in code will be removed completely. If customer upgrades from older version to newer, he won' t be able to use
his Kerio product with our AV solution anymore.
ESET approach:
1. ESET will continue to sell the Kerio licenses, however we will perform further adjustments:
- We will change our messaging (webpages / documentation / license e-mails) that we will explicitly mention the supported versions (as above), meaning that customers using older versions of Kerio products will be enabled to continuous usage of our product.
- We will limit new licenses / renewals for one year licensing period only, so we will be able to monitor and actively react on further developments in this field (retract further sales in case of EOL).
- Under current circumstances, we will claim, that we won' t be releasing any newer products supporting Kerio integration (this is valid for Kerio Connect on Linux, which is dependent on ESET Mail Security for Linux/BSD/Solaris 3rd generation).
- Customers willing to migrate their license to any of our products (Mail / Gateway Security, as recommended by Kerio) will be able to do so with no charge.
- We will advice not to support direct refunds, however this have to be handled according to regional sales specifics, special cases would have to be approved by channel managers.
2. ESET will continue examining further possibilities in this field and inform you accordingly.
ESET / Kerio updated compatibility list:
Supported versions of Kerio Connect / Kerio Mailserver (on Windows)
(supported by ESET NOD32 AV version 3.0, 4.0 and 4.2, ESET Endpoint Antivirus & EFSW):
- Kerio Connect 7.0 & later, until version 7.5.x
- Kerio Mail Server 6.7.x & later
Supported versions of Kerio Connect / Kerio Mailserver (on Linux):
(supported by ESET Mail Security for Linux/BSD/Solaris, up to version 3.0.22):
- Kerio Connect 7.0 & later, until version 7.5.x
- Kerio Mail Server 6.1.2 & later
Supported versions of Kerio Control / Kerio WinRoute Firewall (on Windows):
(supported by ESET NOD32 AV version 3.0, 4.0 and 4.2, ESET Endpoint Antivirus & EFSW):
- Kerio Control 7.0 & later, until version 7.4.x
- Kerio WinRoute Firewall 6.6x and newer
About ESET
ESET, the pioneer of proactive protection and the maker of the award-winning NOD32 technology which is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2012, is a global provider of security solutions for businesses and consumers. The Company continues to lead the industry in proactive threat detection. ESET NOD32 Antivirus holds the world record for the number of Virus Bulletin "VB100” Awards, and has never missed a single “In-the-Wild” worm or virus since the inception of testing in 1998. ESET has been selected as one of the most innovative companies in Europe for the 2011 HSBC European Business Awards and holds number of accolades from AV-Comparatives, AV Test and other organizations. ESET NOD32 Antivirus, ESET Smart Security and ESET Cyber Security for Mac are trusted by millions of global users and are among the most recommended security solutions in the world.
The Company has global headquarters in Bratislava (Slovakia), with regional distribution centers in San Diego (U.S.), Buenos Aires (Argentina), and Singapore; with offices in Sao Paulo (Brazil) and Prague (Czech Republic). ESET has malware research centers in Bratislava, San Diego, Buenos Aires, Singapore, Prague, Košice (Slovakia), Cracow (Poland), Montreal (Canada), Moscow (Russia), and an extensive partner network for 180 countries. . For more information, visit our local office at https://www.eset.hk.
About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Limited is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the Company develops and distributes IT products for Internet and IP-based networks, including communication systems, Internet software, security, network, and media products. Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 Limited offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which includes Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.
Version 2 Singapore Pte Ltd is the local office of Version 2 Limited.
For more information, please visit https://www.eset.hk or call (852) 2893 8860.