Aladdin's eSafe Protect Gateway Prevents Another Vandal Attack; Two New Vandals are Stopped in Their Tracks by Award-Winning eSafe Protect Gateway

Business Wire, Sept 20, 1999

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 20, 1999--

Aladdin Knowledge Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq/NMS:ALDN) a global leader in the field of Internet and software security, announced that CSRT, its computer security response team, posted a worldwide customer alert on the new COUNT2K (Polyglot) and Win32.FIX (Fix2001) vandals being distributed via e-mail.

The Aladdin proactive approach to security offers a quick and effective solution that prevents these two vandals from damaging eSafe Gateway protected systems.

The COUNT2K vandal that appears to be from Microsoft includes a Microsoft return address and the subject "Microsoft Announcement." This vandal is included as an attachment with the file name "Y2KCOUNTDOWN.EXE."

When the file is opened, a WINZIP self-extracting dialog box appears reading, "Password protection error or invalid CRC32!" DLL files are then placed in the Windows system directory and the WSOCK32.DLL is overwritten and renamed "HLHVLD.DLL." The vandal searches the hard drive for e-mail messages that include the words "password," "login" and "username."

The FIX2K vandal is also being distributed through e-mail and promises a Y2K fix. The message's subject line reads, "Internet Problem Year 2000." When launched, this vandal copies some files into the Windows system directory, then displays the message "Your Internet Connection is already Y2K, you don't need to upgrade it." When the system is rebooted, every outbound e-mail will be followed by another message with the vandal attached.

Unlike those using other protection systems, Aladdin eSafe Gateway customers don't have to visit a Web site and download an update to prevent infection. Aladdin's Content Security Response Team advises eSafe Protect Gateway customers to simply configure the software to block all e-mails containing the above-mentioned subject lines using the keyword filtering feature.

For more information, please visit the Aladdin Web site: www.eAladdin.com

About Aladdin

Aladdin (Nasdaq/NMS:ALDN) is a global leader in securing digital content, from applications software to Internet use and access. Aladdin's products include HASP and Hardlock, software security systems that protect the revenues of developers and publishers; Privilege, a software licensing platform for the Internet; the eSafe line of anti-virus, anti-vandal and content filtering software for PCs and networks connected to the Internet; and eToken for Internet security and authentication. Aladdin serves its customers through eight offices located in the world's major software markets, as well a network of 50 distributors serving more than 100 countries.