Since most companies store their documents on servers, one of the tasks assigned to the IT department is to keep them malware-free and ensure their safety and integrity. One of the applications they can rely on is avast! Server Edition.

This software solution can be installed onto normal servers (which are used as hosts for server software or as file servers) or onto terminal ones (which work as hosts for user sessions and use Windows Terminal Services or Citrix Metaframe). The target type of server needs to be configured during installation.

Depending on the type of server selected, users can adjust the settings to their liking, such as adding MS SharePoint, MS Exchange, or Lotus Domino servers to the default resident task. It is also possible to choose the shields that are to be installed onto the server: P2P shield, script blocker, network or web shield, and instant messaging.

Server admins can specify the action that needs to be taken when a virus is detected, such as automatically remove it, move it to quarantine or attempt to disinfect it. A report file can also be generated, to the location chosen by the user, tracking the detected errors, encountered issues and blocked infections.

In order to make sure the servers are safe even when admins are not at work, one can create email alerts so that they receive an email notification whenever something goes wrong.

More specialized configuration can be made after installing the software utility, as the interface of avast! Server Edition is intuitive, yet packed with numerous options that allow for precise fine-tuning, including starting a scan at certain hours when the strain on the host server is at the minimum so as not to affect the performance of the connected PCs.

To wrap it up, avast! Server Edition can be set up as to meet the necessities of a wide range of servers, and the trial period can be used to decide if a license is worth purchasing or not.