Zero-Knowledge Systems Unveils Free, Easy-to-Use Software That Protects Consumer Privacy on the Internet

Business Wire, Dec 13, 2000

Business Editors

MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 13, 2000

When consumers enter an online sweepstakes, buy a Christmas gift from a well-known e-tailer or request a horoscope online, they supply businesses and marketers with valuable personal data and preferences.

This personal information -- including name, email address and birth date -- is compiled into a detailed profile, which can then be used or sold without their permission. The result: a significant loss of personal privacy online.

Study after study shows consumers are alarmed by online data collection practices and fear that their individual privacy is being eroded each time they go online. Almost 90 percent of Net users are concerned with threats to their individual privacy while online, according to a recent AT&T study. A Business Week/Lou Harris poll also found that privacy is the number one reason individuals are choosing to stay off the Internet, coming in well ahead of cost, concerns with complicated technology, and unsolicited commercial e-mail. Consumers can now enjoy the full power of the Internet in privacy and take control of their personal information and protect themselves online by using Zero-Knowledge Systems' free, easy-to-use Freedom(R) Internet Privacy Suite. Available at www.freedom.net, Freedom 2.0 is the new version of the award-winning Freedom software.

The Freedom 2.0 software package gives consumers a range of free privacy and security options to protect their personal information online.

- Cookie Manager - Prevents Web Sites from Tracking Online Activities
  Cookies are bits of identifying information filed in a consumer's
  computer hard drive that store your personal information and
  preferences. Freedom lets consumers decide which cookies they want,
  and blocks or deletes the ones they don't want.

- Auto Form Filler - Speeds up and Secures Online Registrations and
  Transactions Freedom automatically fills out forms and remembers
  passwords, making online registrations and purchases a snap.
  Freedom's Form Filler encrypts and stores sensitive information on
  the user's computer, where only he or she has access to it.

- Keyword Alert - Prevent Personal Information from Leaving the
  Computer Freedom instantly scans all outgoing communications for
  sensitive information and warns the consumer before sending anything
  that contains personal information.

- Personal Firewall - Protection from Malicious Hackers Freedom's
  personal firewall controls both incoming and outgoing Internet
  connections and alerts consumers to any unauthorized attempts to
  connect to their computer. This feature is critical for consumers
  with an "always-on" DSL or cable modem connection.

- Ad Manager - Controls Ads and Speeds up Browsing Put an end to the
  World Wide Wait. Speed up your Web browsing experience, eliminate
  distractions and prevent activity-tracking cookies and "Web bugs"
  from being dropped onto your computer.

Upgrade to the Most Comprehensive Privacy Solution

For less than $50 a year, consumers can easily upgrade to Freedom 2.0's premium services, which let users browse the Internet, participate in chat rooms or newsgroups, and send untraceable encrypted email - all using an untraceable pseudonym. Freedom 2.0's premium services provide the most comprehensive security and privacy features available.

The Freedom 2.0 premium services include the ability to create five encrypted pseudonyms, allowing customers to use different digital identities on different types of sites when browsing, chatting or sending emails. For example, a consumer could be appleaday@freedom.net when researching health information online; shopaholic@freedom.net when window shopping for birthday gifts and chattycathy@freedom.net when participating in a chat group. By creating separate pseudonyms - or digital identities - consumers are better able to manage their private lives online.

Unlike other software products that only address certain online privacy concerns, Freedom gives users all the tools needed to simplify and secure their entire Internet experience - from a set of free standard features, through to a full range of privacy-enhanced premium services. Freedom is the first and only commercial privacy product that does not require users to trust their data to an ISP, privacy company or other third party.

Among other accolades, Freedom 1.0 was named 2000's "Most Promising Internet Newcomer" by PC World, was called "the Rolls-Royce of privacy software" by Yahoo! Internet Life and received a 5/5 editor's rating from PC Magazine. ZDNet also gave Zero-Knowledge's Customer Support group a 10/10 rating for technical support.

Availability and Pricing

Freedom for Windows 95/98, 2000, Me and Linux is available as a free download at http://www.freedom.net. Premium services can be purchased for US$49.95. A Macintosh version of Freedom is expected in 2001.

About Zero-Knowledge Systems, Inc.

Zero-Knowledge Systems (http://www.zeroknowledge.com) is the leading provider of privacy enabling technologies and services for both consumers and enterprise. Zero-Knowledge Managed Privacy Services(TM) (http://www.zeroknowledge.com/business) provides expert consultation and privacy-enhancing solutions that enable businesses to comply with privacy legislation, maximize customer relationships and build consumer trust without violating privacy. Zero-Knowledge Freedom(R) Internet Privacy Suite provides consumers free access to the most easy-to-use privacy and security features - including a personal firewall, form filler, cookie manager, ad manager and keyword alert - in addition to its leading paid premium services offering untraceable private email and anonymous browsing and chat. Freedom 2.0 for Windows 95/98, 2000, Me and Linux is available as a free download at http://www.freedom.net and Freedom source code is available at http://opensource.zeroknowledge.com.