Article for New Hampshire Business Review

Internet Filtering Service Blocks Spam, Viruses

Shields Home, Business Networks

(Dover)   Sick of spam? Worried about viruses? Are you concerned that your kids – or employees – might be exposed to web sites displaying porn, hate speech and other undesirable material? One NH company thinks it has found the solution.

Dover-based TTLC Internet & IT Solutions has rolled out new online filtering services that have proven both powerful and effective in squelching spam and viruses, as well as blocking offensive content.

TTLC's E-MailScanner and E-NetScanner automatically shield both business and residential subscribers from unwanted annoyances and threats - before they even get to their computer.

"E-MailScanner and E-NetScanner are unique in several ways," said Stephen Viel, founder and COO of the technology giant. "First, the applications run on our servers, instead of your computer, so the junk is stopped before they can threaten your data or programs. That also keeps your computers operating at full speed.

"Second, they zap all three problems - spam, viruses and offensive content. Finally, subscribers don't have to do anything to keep their protection up to date. Our system automatically monitors and updates your protection 24 hours a day."

Perfect for Business

Customers are amazed at the accuracy of TTLC's new services.

"They filter hundreds of unwanted emails for me and my employees each week," one business owner remarked. "Instead of wading through all that spam, I receive a single weekly email inviting me to log in and review them safely. I can delete them, or allow them to be delivered to my PC. The whole process takes only a minute or two. If I want, I can even review messages I'm not sure about, without worrying about getting hit with a virus."

Subscribers can customize the degree of filtering they want. The system's "spam sensitivity" ranges from lenient to aggressive.

The new online filtering services are available for TTLC dial-up and broadband customers. That includes business customers, web sites hosted by TTLC, as well as individuals and families.

E-MailScanner and E-NetScanner deliver an affordable, comprehensive solution for area business owners who want to free their network administrators from the time-consuming headaches of constantly updating antivirus and filtering software running on individual computers.

Unproductive employee surfing can also be limited. Access to certain types of web sites - gambling, shopping, porn, for example - can be blocked. That blocking feature also makes it an effective tool for parents who want to shield their children from the unsavory side of the Internet.

Virus Blocker

Spam emails are more than mere distractions, of course. Messages and attachments can also carry powerful viruses that can paralyze an entire network, bringing productivity to a standstill.

"The best way to stop a virus is to intercept it before it ever reaches the user's computer," Viel explained. "TTLC's new service does exactly that."

Until now, the only alternative has been buying and installing web filtering software on each worker's computer. But updating each machine’s filters and virus definitions has proven difficult and time-consuming. Most commercial packages have too many holes, can accidentally block legitimate content, and need constant maintenance to keep them up-to-date.

That’s why server-based Internet content filters like TTLC's are a far better solution for home and business users, says Viel. They are flexible, effective, cost effective and require no maintenance by the user. "Our filters are automatically updated daily with new virus and content definitions. They work with any email system, any operating system, and they won't affect any firewalls you may have in place."

Not only can TTLC review a web site before it's blocked, customers can even suggest sites that they think should be added or removed from the filter. "This gives us complete control, and allows us to be more responsive to our community," explained Viel.

For more information about E-MailScanner and E-NetScanner, contact TTLC at 877.677.TTLC (8852) or visit their web site at www.TTLC.net.

New Hampshire’s leading Internet Service Provider, TTLC Internet & IT Solutions offers residential and corporate customers both dial-up and a variety of broadband Internet access options, as well as Web hosting and development and IT products and services. As a solutions-focused, customer-driven company, TTLC provides complete end-to-end services from an unparalleled breadth and depth of experience.