DynaComm i:Filter and i:Scan

Microsoft seems to be getting more involved in the Internet content security world. They recently purchased FutureSoft's DynaComm i:Filter product. Here's is Microsoft's explanation of their upcoming plans in the area of security and filtering.

That leaves FutureSoft with only two products: DynaComm i:Mail and i:Scan. i:Mail scans emails in and out of the network for spam and content - not something libraries need. But i:Scan looks interesting.....

According to FutureSoft, i:Scan is a desktop management and control tool that allows administrators to recognize peer-to-peer and instant messaging threats, and spyware infections. i:Scan can be used to lockdown desktops including defining what files can run and who can run them, and it can be used to control the use of USB devices. It also has an image scanning module that "detects pornographic images".

The FutureSoft i:Scan Adult Image Scanner supposedly goes beyond other image analysis tools that just detect too much skin tone. This product is "able to compare the 'context' of the image." While I have my doubts about how accurate this product really is, if it works at least as well as your basic Internet content filter, it might be worth a try because it is a better CIPA match insofar as it is focused on images, not text. I'm intrigued.

If your library runs Windows 2000 Pro/Server or Windows XP Pro with IIS or Windows 2003 Server with IIS you have what it takes to try this product out. They offer a trial version you can download from here. With the centralized console for managing desktops plus the image analyzer, it does offer some potentially handy features for libraries even though it is clearly marketing to the business market.

If anyone tries it out, I'd love to hear what you think.