Security supplier Network Box is hoping to expand its reseller base with a product that scans for viruses, such as Bagel, that hide in encrypted Zip files.
Some antivirus vendors, including Kaspersky and Sophos, have announced they also will scan such attachments, which are being used as a hiding place for viruses.
By blocking the infected Zip files at the gateway to the network, viruses are stopped before they enter a firm's IT system, rather than hoping desktop virus protection catches them once they are inside.
Network Box hopes its remotely managed hardware, aimed at SMEs, will enable it to expand its reseller network.
"What we're doing is reacting to current threat vectors," said Simon Heron, director of Network Box.
"New viruses are being sent in encrypted attachments that can't be scanned but with the password for the encryption in the text of the email. We take every piece of text in the mail and power-crunch at the attachment until it opens."
Network Box's existing customers have been upgraded automatically to the technology.
"This kind of ZIP file attack is the coming thing," said Professor Neil Barrett, technical director at IRM.
"The amount of data you can send in one of these ZIP files means you can write far more sophisticated viruses. Potentially the market for this kind of product could be very large."
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