Internet content filtering firm PureSight has become Wick Hill's latest vendor partner, offering what the specialist distributor has claimed is an advanced new technology.

The vendor, formerly known as iCognito, has developed a URL filtering product that does not depend on a database for URL checking and can carry out checks in any language.

"This product uses heuristics to identify characteristics on web pages to help it identify viruses or worms," said Bernie Dodwell, business development director at Wick Hill.

Dodwell has been monitoring the product for about four years, and believes it is now ready to enter the market.

"Products based on a database recognise only a limited number of web sites," he said. "Most products are also subscription-based. The user is really paying for the database to be updated each time there is a new virus or worm."

PureSight's proactive filter is a one-off sale with optional maintenance contracts available, he added. It can be based on the desktop or server, and scales from 50 users upwards.

Michael Isakov, vice-president sales at PureSight, said Wick Hill will be the sole UK distributor. "The market is truly ready to move beyond static URL databases," he added.

Steve Jennings, director at recently re-launched reseller Think Secure, said his firm does not sell web content filtering but that such a product is essential for VARs offering end-to-end security.

"Security is a broad subject and we feel we need a content filtering products in our portfolio," he said. "This product is interesting. We often look at the smaller vendors because a lot of them are good innovators."

karl_flinders@vnu.co.uk