Continued Vigilance Necessary Even After Uneventful New Year's Holiday
As Potential Viruses May Be Lurking in Email for Returning Employees
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Network Associates, Inc.
(Nasdaq: NETA) today reminded companies and consumers of the need for
continuing "safe computing" practices as they return to work after the New
Year's holiday. Recognizing that the limited virus threat throughout the
holiday may result in a feeling of false security, Network Associates reminds
IT Managers that the potential for damage from new viruses or security holes
still exists. Network Associates' McAfee AVERT (Anti-Virus Emergency Response
Team) will remain in high alert posture for the next 72 hours, as the majority
of computers worldwide are powered up for the first time this millennium on
the morning of January 3.
"We are pleased that the New Year's holiday did not pose any strong
threats to our customers, as the potential for Y2K damage was very real," said
Sal Viveros, director for McAfee Total Virus Defense at Network Associates.
"However it is essential for corporations to stay on top of virus happenings
and be especially alert this week as computers are re-booted, and email
between users and the outside world begins to flow freely again."
"Melissa was one of the most destructive viruses of 1999. This virus
spread at lightening speed through email attachments. It was discovered on a
Friday morning, and had spread world-wide within six hours," said Jimmy Kuo,
director of AVERT anti-virus research. "Because these viruses can strike at
any time, and the threat continues, this week AVERT will staff the
CyberAssurance National Information Center, which is part of the President's
Council on the Year 2000 Conversion Information Coordination Center."
From December 30 through the turnover to the new year, McAfee AVERT
researchers found seven low-risk viruses, which represents the average amount
of virus writing activity AVERT usually experiences during a four-day
timeframe. There has been no indication that these seven viruses are actively
spreading in customer sites at this time. Nevertheless, AVERT's worldwide
research and support team will continue to monitor for the spread of these
viruses as well as any new viruses released during the New Year. For details
on the seven new viruses as well as continued updated information on newly
discovered Y2K viruses, visit the AVERT Web site at:
http://vil.nai.com/villib/alpha.asp.
Network Associates is recommending continued caution during the week of
January 3, 2000, suggesting that users adhere to the following guidelines to
protect against viruses.
1. Be wary of emails from unfamiliar senders.
2. Don't double-click on email attachments -- save and scan them first
3. Keep software updated.
4. Turn on Macro Virus Protection.
5. Be cautious with free downloads.
6. Guard your personal and financial information.
7. Protect your personal computer.
8. Protect your passwords.
9. Teach children online safety tips.
10. Protect online transactions by using a secure browser.
11. Bonus tip: Be careful -- but don't believe everything you hear.
The McAfee Total Virus Defense suite provides comprehensive anti-virus
protection at the desktop, file server, groupware server and Internet gateway.
Powerful integrated management tools make it easy for administrators to deploy
updates and upgrades, and to configure and monitor virus security enterprise-
wide. The McAfee Total Virus Defense product line is sold as a standalone
suite and as part of the Net Tools Secure suite, Network Associates'
comprehensive security suite incorporating anti-virus, firewall, encryption,
authentication, intrusion detection, vulnerability assessment, and security
management.
Network Associates' McAfee AVERT (Anti-Virus Emergency Response Team), a
division of NAI Labs, is the largest network of virus researchers in the
industry. During the week of January 3, AVERT will continue to work 24X7
around the globe to provide the latest in virus research and anti-virus
solutions.
With headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., Network Associates, Inc. is a
leading supplier of enterprise network security and management software.
Network Associates' Net Tools Secure and Net Tools Manager offer best-of-
breed, suite-based network security and management solutions. Net Tools
Secure and Net Tools Manager suites combine to create the Net Tools solution,
which centralizes these point solutions within an easy-to-use, integrated
systems management environment. For more information, Network Associates can
be reached at 972-308-9960 or on the Internet at http://www.nai.com.
NOTE: Network Associates, McAfee, Total Virus Defense, VirusScan and Net
Tools are registered trademarks of Network Associates, Inc. and/or its
affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. All other registered
and unregistered trademarks in this document are the sole property of their
respective owners.
SOURCE Network Associates, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.nai.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/124004.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 124004
CONTACT:
John Sun of Network Associates, Inc.,
408-346-5344; or Kelly Shall of Copithorne & Bellows,
415-538-7540, for Network Associates, Inc.
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