How to integrate Avast! Server Edition with AXIGEN Mail Server on Windows

This article is a guideline on the integration process of the Avast! Server Edition Anti-Virus with AXIGEN Mail Server on Windows platform releases.

1. Install Avast! Server Edition using the Typical setup or any other setup of your choice, just make sure to also install Internet Mail for Resident protection. For the sole purpose of scanning email messages you may choose to install just the Internet Mail protection in a Custom setup.




2. After completing the Avast! installation, choose to Restart later. Further Avast! settings required in the avast4.ini configuration file can only be done while Avast! is not started.

Note: The avast4.ini configuration file can only be edited right after the installation, before restarting the system, and in Windows Safe mode boot.




3. Edit the avast4.ini configuration file in the below path:C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA\avast4.ini

At the bottom of the configuration file add the following code:
[MailScanner]
DefaultSmtpServer=127.0.0.1

Save the file and restart the system, as previously required upon completing the Avast! installation process.


4. After the system restart, the Avast! Server Deployment Wizard will start. Here you may configure Avast! to deploy on a Normal Server.

Note: Configuring SMTP Settings are not required for our setup. The SMTP Settings are used by Avast! to send notifications via email.




5. Open the On-Access Protection Control by right-clicking the Avast! tray icon.


In the On-Access Protection Control, click Details, select the Internet Mail protection and Start it.




6. Configure rules in AXIGEN configuration.
From the Webadmin interface go to Security & Filtering menu, Acceptance & Routing context, Advanced Settings tab, and add the following Acceptance/Routing Rules:

First rule:

• Write a suggestive Rule name. Example: avast_1
• Leave Enable this acceptance/routing rule ticked
  
• From the Conditions list, select Recipient Email is local and click Add Condition
• Tick the Recipient email Is local check-box
• From the Actions list, select Recipients Recipient relay host and click Add Action
• In the Relay host field, write: [127.0.0.1]:12025
• Click Save Configuration to save and apply the rule

Second rule:

• Write a suggestive Rule name. Example: avast_2
• Leave Enable this acceptance/routing rule ticked
  
• From the Conditions list, select Remote address Ip and click Add Condition
• Configure the Remote ip condition to Ip 127.0.0.1
• From the Conditions list, select Remote address Port and click Add Condition
• Configure the Remote port condition to > 1
• Make sure to apply the rule For incoming messages that match ALL of the conditions below
• From the Actions list, select Recipients Recipient relay host and click Add Action
• Leave the Relay host field empty
• Click Save Configuration to save and apply the rule

Third rule:

• Write a suggestive Rule name. Example: avast_3
• Leave Enable this acceptance/routing rule ticked
  
• From the Conditions list, select Delivery Relaying mail and click Add Condition
• From the Actions list, select Settings Allow binary data and click Add Action
• Leave unticked the Settings Allow binary data action check-box
• Click Save Configuration to save and apply the rule

NOTE: The above rules need to have the same priority as introduced in this KB article (like in the following image).

OS: Windows
Distros: Windows