Google Apps for Business and Viruses

After the last blog post about passwords and email harvesting - I got to thinking about our Google Apps experience over the last couple of years. And what our virus / spam experience has been.

From the 1st of March 2006 I can say with great confidence that we at OpenNetworks have not received a computer virus through our email. We may have picked up problems when users download dodgy files or stick hard drives in with viruses on them - but not a single virus through our email. I repeat - NOT A SINGLE ONE. 

Do I even need to say that we have been using Google Apps since the 1st of March 2006? Over the last couple of years we have progressed from GMail users, to Google Apps users, to Google Apps for Business users to an Enterprise Google Apps Partner and Premium SMB Reseller in South Africa. So we have seen how Google Apps has grown, adapted and advanced. 

SPAM
Who does not hate that word. Or the time it takes to sift through the countless emails either offering you money, or asking for your money in exchange for random growth spurts. Thankfully I only see those emails when I choose to (so really when I am exceptionally bored and need a good laugh). Why and how - I hear you mutter..... Well, Google has one of the best spam blockers in the business, and it's integrated into Google Apps. Spam is purged every 30 days. You do not see it - and millions of people are reporting the odd message that slips through at the same time - which means it probably will not hit your inbox at all. 

Email Viruses
As I mentioned earlier - these are a thing of the past. Seriously.

Google has built in virus checking, and they enforce checking of documents before allowing a user to download any message. Most computer viruses are contained in executable files, so standard virus detectors scan messages for executable files that appear to be viruses. Google helps block viruses in the most direct possible way: by not allowing users to receive executable files (such as files ending in .exe) that could contain damaging executable code; even if they are sent in a compressed (.zip, .tar, .tgz, .taz, .z, .gz) format. For more on what Google does to protect you from viruses - check this support article out. 

Google also supplies Chrome™ and Firefox® users with constantly updated filters against phishing and malware.

By combining advanced algorithms with reports about misleading pages from a number of sources, Google downloads to your browser a list of information about sites that may engage in phishing or contain malicious software. Safe Browsing is often able to automatically warn you when you encounter a page that's trying to trick you into disclosing personal information.

Barring human error (ie downloading stuff or plugging in a dodgy hard drive) - the chances of getting a virus are nil through your email. So I ask again - if security is a concern - why are organisations not considering Google Apps for their Businesses?