The Postini Threat Identification Network
The Postini Threat Identification Network® (PTIN) is a comprehensive, real-time information service that identifies source computers for email attacks including viruses, phishing, spam, and directory harvests. Designed to be embedded into network equipment, PTIN provides a highly efficient and cost-effective way for internet service providers (ISPs) to stop spammers from hijacking their networks. Email accreditors and certification agencies can also use it to quickly provide clear, objective data about their clients.
Real-time, Objective Protection
The proprietary Postini Traffic Monitor process updates PTIN data several times each minute, so the repository of malicious computers — identified and tracked by internet protocol (IP) address — is always up to date. In contrast, a manual relay block list process can take hours or days to block an offending computer, and weeks or months to unblock. In a world where most unwanted email comes from bot-nets, a PC can go from well behaved to malicious and back again in a matter of minutes. So any system designed to track offending computers must be just as dynamic.
PTIN data is the result of the examination of billions of messages every day, for more than 35,000 businesses worldwide, based on a completely objective 20-point evaluation of the behavior of sending computers. This also eliminates the problems of reputation systems where senders can self-certify their "good" reputation to bypass defenses.
Works the Way You Need It
The PTIN granular scoring system allows you to set your own thresholds for how to handle offending computers. PTIN can be used in three ways:
- Embedded in network devices, like routers and mail transfer agents, or in security software and appliances;
- PTIN monitor with periodic updates of offending IP addresses that belong to an ISP;
- PTIN query establishes the legitimacy of clients for email accreditors and certification agencies by establishing they have never been listed as an offender in PTIN.
