Electric Mail Co.'s E-mmunity Service Eliminates Virus Threat of Microsoft and Netscape E-mail Bug

Business Wire, July 31, 1998

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 31, 1998--The Electric Mail Co(VSE:ELE.) The Electric Mail Company Inc. (VSE:ELE), a leading E-mail Service Provider (ESP), announced today that its E-mmunity service protects corporate networks from the potential virus infection associated with the recently discovered "longfilename e-mail bug". The "longfilename e-mail bug", which may allow hackers to attack corporate networks with viruses and other destructive programs, has been reported as a security flaw in Netscape's Communicator software, Microsoft's Outlook Express and other popular e-mail programs. "E-mail attachment viruses are a serious concern to businesses and network administrators are assessing the risks associated with this reported bug. As a result of this e-mail bug, systems may be threatened by executible files that can run destructive programs or viruses that may cause serious damage. While E-mmunity does not filter executable type files, it automatically scans all Internet e-mail attachments and destroys viruses before they reach a company's e-mail system," said Cathy Munn, President and CEO of The Electric Mail Co.

Commenting on virus protection, Reinhard Boland, senior technical specialist with International gold mining major Placer Dome said, "We wanted to eliminate the threat of these viruses before they reached our network. E-mmunity gave us a solution that addressed this concern."

When an organization subscribes to E-mmunity, all e-mail addressed to their corporate domain name is processed by The Electric Mail Company's E-mmunity Mail Relay System where Internet e-mail attachments are scanned. Any infected or suspect attachments are destroyed, and a "warning of infection" notice is inserted in the e-mail message and sent on to the intended recipient. If during the scanning process, no viruses are detected, the e-mail proceeds directly to the recipient. This all occurs in real-time to ensure minimal delays in e-mail transmission. For the corporate e-mail user, E-mmunity offers hassle-free and cost-effective peace of mind with monthly fees starting as low as $35US for up to 30 users.

The E-mmunity service has a global reach and can be used with any Internet e-mail system. There are no additional hardware, software or maintenance requirements and the service is completely seamless to the end user. E-mmunity currently scans for over 7,000 viruses daily and is continuously updated with new virus signatures (approx. 200 per month). E-mmunity ensures up-to-date protection for corporate networks threatened by viruses found in attachments such as "longfile e-mail bug".

The E-mmunity service was created in response to the dramatic increase in Internet-borne viruses, and the inability of LAN-based anti-virus solutions to adequately control the problem. According to a National Computer Security Association virus study, infection reports have increased over 300 percent since April 1996, despite there being more computer systems with installed anti-virus software. Cathy Munn states, "In an attempt to control viruses hidden in message attachments, many companies rely on their users to screen their e-mail attachments properly, or install expensive scanning systems which require frequent updates. Companies need an effective means of preventing viruses from ever reaching their organization while taking advantage of the business benefits of Internet e-mail. E-mmunity is a simple plug-and-play solution that gives immediate virus protection to our business clients."

For Businesses, System Integrators, Resellers and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) interested in receiving more information on E-mmunity or other services, please contact info@electric.net, 800-419-7463 or www.electric.net.

About The Electric Mail Company

Incorporated in 1994, The Electric Mail Company Inc. (VSE:ELE) is a leading E-mail Service Provider (ESP) specialized in providing innovative, reliable and cost-effective e-mail services for corporate networks. E-mmunity complements a suite of Internet e-mail services which include: LAN-to-Internet e-mail connectivity solutions for all leading LAN e-mail systems and a robust e-mail management tool facilitating routing, aliasing and re-direction. Electric Mail Co. serves major corporations located throughout North America including Panasonic, Delta Hotels & Resorts, Fujifilm Canada and Ballard Power.

Trademarks are the property of their owners. The Vancouver Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    CONTACT:  The Electric Mail Company Inc.
               Cathy Munn, 800/419-7463
               E-mail: cmunn@electric.net
               Website: www.electric.net
                  or
               Sterling Communications Inc.
               Paul Forecki, 253/853-5030
               E-mail: pforecki@sterlingpr.com
                  or
               High Road Communications
               Sarah Burns, 416/368-8348
               Email: sburns@highrd.com