Cloud computing outfit Messagelabs, which offers a subscription email filtering service, has been snaffled up by Symantec. 

UK-based Messagelabs effectively takes over the running of companies' mail and Web traffic and operates 14 data centres around the world which run traffic through filters to block potentially harmful Web sites and scan instant messages.

The company handles around a third of the hosted security market, while Symantec had a sliver over one percent. The takeover, which should be completed by December given a following wind, effectively leapfrogs Symantec past rivals Microsoft and Google, which between them deal with about a quarter of the Web's filtered traffic.

The MessageLab operation will be rolled into Symantec's exisiting online backup and restore service for mid-sized companies. Messagelabs boss Adrian Chamberlain's job is reported to be secure, but there is no word on the fate of the outfit's remaining 500 employees. X

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