McAfee Protects Web Surfers From Internet Virus Threat; New WebScan Works With Leading Web Browsers To Prevent The Download Of Virus-Infected Files And E-Mail; Detects Macro Viruses Hidden in Files Attached to Internet E-Mail Messages

Business Wire, Nov 6, 1995

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 1995--McAfee (NASDAQ:MCAF) today announced WebScan, the first anti-virus software utility to prevent Internet computer users from downloading virus-infected files and e-mail. In addition to detecting traditional virus types, WebScan has the unique ability to detect macro viruses such as the new Winword.concept virus that can hide within Internet e-mail attachments.

WebScan utilizes specially adapted virus scanning technology developed by McAfee, the world's leading vendor of anti-virus software. The technology provides users of Web browsers and Internet e-mail a level of anti-virus protection not currently available in ordinary virus scanners. McAfee currently commands a worldwide anti-virus unit marketshare of 76%, according to IDC.

"What the jet airplane was for the biological virus the Internet is for the computer virus," said Rusty DeSantis, WebScan product manager. "The proliferation of viruses on the Internet, combined with new server push technologies such as Sun's Java and Macromedia's Director, has created an environment where potentially virus-infected executable files are pushed down to the user's desktop without their control. WebScan protects users from these viruses by creating a virtually impenetrable anti-virus firewall that prevents downloaded files from being executed until they have been certified virus-free."

Traditional Anti-Virus Scanners Fail to Effectively Monitor Internet Downloads

WebScan provides a level of transparent and automatic virus protection not found in ordinary anti-virus scanners. Most scanners scan for viruses either on-demand or with the assistance of a TSR (Terminate and Stay Resident) program. On-demand scanners can only locate viruses when the scanner is executed, and do not provide 100% real-time coverage. TSRs, which are often utilized for real-time coverage, are typically configured to only monitor file activity on floppy drives such as file copies or file executions. TSRs are rarely configured to monitor all hard disk file activity since their overhead causes serious system performance degradation. Neither form of virus protection can reliably monitor a "File Save," which is what happens when a file is downloaded from the Internet and the user is prompted to perform a "Save File As" operation.

WebScan circumvents these limitations by performing a unique two-step process on all downloaded files. First, WebScan automatically places downloaded files in a special holding area, which acts as a temporary quarantine while WebScan scans the file for viruses. If the file is found to be virus-free, the user is shown the "Save File As" dialogue box and is allowed to permanently copy the file onto the hard disk. If the file is infected, WebScan alerts the user and provides the option to immediately delete the infected file.

Utilizing McAfee's Code Matrix Scanning and Code Trace Scanning technology, WebScan accurately detects over 5,800 viruses. WebScan detects viruses of all types, including known and unknown viruses; boot viruses; file viruses; multi-partite viruses; stealth viruses; encrypted viruses; and polymorphic viruses. WebScan can also scan Microsoft Word DOC files and compressed file formats such as Zip, self-extracting EXEs, ARC and ARJ files.

WebScan a Complete Internet Communications Solution

WebScan provides users a complete and secure Internet communications environment. The product integrates a full-featured browser and e-mail package, and specially adapted McAfee virus scanning technology. WebScan can be used with a wide range of leading Web browsers, including CompuServe's Spry browser, NetScape's Navigator, NetCom's NetCruiser, and other browsers based upon the Mosaic browser engine.

WebScan's browser provides intuitive access to all the resources of the World Wide Web. The browser also features support for Internet newsgroups, FTP file transfers, SHTTP security for customers within the United States and Canada, and Gopher sites. WebScan's full-featured e-mail module supports MIME-compliant file attachments; encrypted messaging for customers within the United States and Canada; a built-in spell check; and multiple address books with support for aliasing, distribution lists, and sorting.

WebScan features an automated installation routine that allows users to choose an Internet access account with CompuServe's InterServe division.

Users can also configure WebScan for use with any other Internet access provider.

Specification, Pricing and Availability

WebScan supports Windows 3.x, Windows 95, and Windows NT. The product will carry an estimated street price of $45.00, and a suggested list price of $65.00. WebScan will begin shipping electronically from McAfee's Web site (www.mcafee.com), HomeBase BBS service (408-988-4004), and major online services on Monday, November 13. The product will be available at major retailers such as ComputerCity and CompUSA approximately four weeks later.

Electronically distributed versions are identical to shrink wrap versions, and contain no time-bombs or encryption. A maintenance subscription - which provides two years of updates and unlimited telephone support - can be purchased for $60.00.