Tech Watch: E-Mail Security, NAS, Color Laser Printers

Looking for the perfect gift for any small- to midsize-business customer, or for a small workgroup? You can't go wrong with these picks from Trend Micro, Iomega and Lexmark.

E-Mail Fortification

Basic antivirus and security software doesn't cut it anymore, especially for customers that have their own e-mail servers. Trend Micro's new Client Server Messaging Security for SMB v 3.0 boasts some nice features, such as protection for Windows Small Business Server 2003 and Exchange Server. Improved antispam support includes filters intended at reducing phishing attacks, content filtering, a personal firewall designed to protect confidential data and intrusion-detection, worm blocking, vulnerability assessment, and administrative tools to prevent employees from tampering with the configurations. Trend Micro's products will be competing with new offerings from Symantec, McAfee and Computer Associates.

Trend Micro Client Server Security 3, www.trendmicro.com Price: $45.15 for 101 seats

NAS For the Masses

Any customer with more than one computer is now a candidate for networked-attached storage (NAS). Iomega's new StorCenter Network Hard Drive can connect to any node on a small network via a wired or wireless router or directly to one or two PCs through two USB ports. The StorCenter drive supports Gigabit Ethernet connectivity and comes with software that makes it easy to find on any small network. The tool did encounter some problems with the firewall, but that was easily remedied by reconfiguring the port settings. It works with Windows, Macintosh (only the most recent version of OS X) and Linux. The NAS device is available in 160- and 250-GB configurations.

Iomega StorCenter, www.iomega.com Price: $289 (250 GB)

Perfect Image

In the latest bid to push the envelope in color-laser printing, Lexmark's new entry-level C520 boasts output speeds of 20 pages per minute for both monochrome and color documents with a price tag in the $500 range. The C522 supports 1,200-dpi resolution and a user-friendly graphical display for managing the printer. Toner and paper can all be replaced in front of the printer, which produces remarkably sharp and colorful copies.

Lexmark C520 Color Laser Printer, www.lexmark.com Price: $499