Network Engines and Authenex announced a partnership to develop and market two-factor authentication network security appliances. TidalWire, the distribution arm of Network Engines will be the exclusive distributor of the new appliances, which will include the Authenex Strong Authentication System (ASAS) and AOne. Authenex AOne features Strong (Web) Access Control (SAC) using the A-Key. AOne and the A-Key also provide strong two-factor authentication for Microsoft Outlook Web Access.

The Sobig email virus that caused havoc two months ago has reappeared in a virulent new form, according to email service provider MessageLabs. News.com reports that the virus grabs email addresses from several different locations on a computer, including the Windows address book and Internet cache, and sends emails to each one. The virus also forges the source of the message using a randomly selected email address so that the infected message appears to come from someone else.

ZDNet says that Microsoft will not do any more development work on Outlook Express. While Outlook Express has always been most popular with individual consumers, many business users have also utilized it, in part because it is part of its default Windows install. According to the article, Microsoft executives are hoping those users will now switch to the full-blown Outlook client (and pay for an Office license in the process).

iLumin Software Services announced that Assentor Enterprise scans the content of messages to block unsolicited messages from filtering through the enterprise message system. Assentor Enterprise is a firm-wide solution that provides archiving, compliance, supervision, discovery, litigation support and mailbox management for not only corporate email and instant messages, but also other sources of electronic records including document libraries.

Vuico is expanding its global presence by establishing Vuico KK as its Asia-Pacific headquarters. Based in Tokyo, Japan, Vuico KK was created to support the increasing demand for its GoWireless solutions in the Asia-Pacific market. Vuico’s GoWireless Mobile Messaging offers solutions for providing access to Cybozu Office 4, Cybozu AG, Cybozu Garoon, Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Domino and SMTP/POP3 messaging environments to the mobile professional.

Vignette announced the results of a recent study of nearly 400 information technology (IT) executives that shows customers are looking for more sophisticated, out-of-the-box integration between enterprise applications, information systems and portal initiatives. The latest version of Vignette Business Integration Studio (VBIS) supports the leading Web services, as well as J2EE-based integrations and Microsoft .NET-based integrations. VBIS also has out-of-the-box integrations to more than 70 different applications from companies such as SAP, Siebel, PeopleSoft, Artesia and Lotus Notes.

SCO Group announced the release of SCO Authentication 2.1 for Microsoft Active Directory and UnixWare Office Mail Server 2.0. InternetNews says the new version of Office Mail Server improves the product’s support for Microsoft Outlook, utilizing a new version of the Office Mail Connector for Microsoft Outlook, providing compatibility for sharing email, calendars, discussion groups, address books and tasks.

Windows & .NET Magazine reports that Microsoft isn’t abandoning Microsoft Outlook Express after all. Instead, the company will bundle Outlook Express with Windows, which means that the next major update won’t be available until Longhorn, the next version of Windows, ships in 2005.

Learning Tree International announced the addition of Microsoft Exchange 2003 Administration: Hands-On to its course curriculum focusing on the Windows Server 2003 technology. Aspects of Exchange 2003 covered in the course include creating mailbox and mail-enabled Users, Contacts, Distribution Groups and Queues; managing Exchange 2003 Servers with Exchange System Manager Microsoft Management (MMC); and using advanced built-in tools to monitor Exchange services and SMTP traffic.

Windows & .NET Magazine reports that Microsoft has big plans for your future. In about 2 years, if all goes well, Microsoft customers will be lining up for a spending wave to pay for the Longhorn wave of technologies