MessageLabs Launches IM Security Service

Symantec's MessageLabs has unveiled an Instant Messaging security service in response to a sharp increase in the number of malicious urls in IMs.The number of malicious links in Instant Messages (IM) has jumped to 1 in 78 from 1 in 200 just a year ago, according to MessageLabs.

The MessageLabs Instant Messaging Security Service looks to provide businesses with a level of usage control, reporting and monitoring that both reduces threat levels and also recognizes the ubiquity of these formerly consumer technologies as business tools, despite their vulnerabilities.

I was particularly struck by MessageLabs' assertion that IM usage policy-building tools are built into the service.

The service covers IM clients from AOL, Yahoo and Microsoft. A free trial is offered. Ultimately, the service will be billed per user per month.