Porn patrol

Dealing with email porn is a difficult task. On the one hand, you don't want to let users get away with it; but on the other, you can't spend all day looking at emails.

First 4 Internet believes that it finally has the automated solution that will do the job properly, and has partnered with MessageLabs to provide an outsourced service.

The problem will be convincing the industry that the software is any good. When Network News reviewed PORNsweeper from Baltimore, the results were less than impressive and the software was easy to bypass.

Most of the blame lies with the flesh-tone analysis that this kind of software traditionally uses. As it is looking for large clumps of flesh, it can easily get confused. The new software uses the more intelligent image composition analysis instead.

Mark Sunner, chief technology officer of MessageLabs, said: "We can look at posture and take into account the environment. After all, walking on a beach is not necessarily provocative."

Al fresco control

The software works through a series of detection controls that specify what the software should look for, such as clouds and outside environments.

Using these controls, the software can more accurately predict the kind of picture being examined. This puts control in the hands of administrators, instead of being dictated by the software.

As each company has different policies on use, this fine control is a must.

The initial results - 95 per cent detection rate - are certainly impressive when compared to the industry average of 70 per cent.

Even Jonathan Tait, senior product marketing manager for PORNsweeper, sounded impressed when talking to ISP World. "It has some great test figures," he said.

MessageLabs is confident that this will get the market excited. Jos White, marketing director at MessageLabs, said: "We have a lot of AV customers interested in this service. Businesses are becoming aware of the problem with productivity and increased liability."

Anti-porn policy

MessageLabs and First 4 Internet are aware that the software is not a complete solution to the problem, and side with Simon Stokes, a solicitor at Tarlo Lyons.

"Potentially, a company is liable if the software doesn't work and pornography gets on the server. Businesses must implement a policy against porn. Companies can't rely solely on software: they must take other steps," he said.

As far as MessageLabs is concerned, the software eases the administrator's task and proves to a court that steps had been taken to prevent unsolicited images.

The company hopes image analysis has finally come of age, but that's just the start.

"We envisage a November launch for movie analysis," said Sunner.