Packeteer Application Traffic Management Solutions Play Key Role in Containing ''Zero-Day'' Network Attacks

Business Wire, August 2, 2004

CUPERTINO, Calif. -- Packeteer Technology Complements Perimeter Security to Improve Network Integrity

Customers of Packeteer(R), Inc. (Nasdaq:PKTR), the pioneer and leading provider of Application Traffic Management solutions, are discovering that Packeteer technology can be used to effectively control and contain potentially harmful "zero-day" exploits that penetrate a company's perimeter security system.

Zero-day exploits involve hackers launching new viruses or taking advantage of previously unknown network vulnerabilities for which there is no readily available vendor fix or patch. In these situations, intruders find entry points into the network and generate traffic that can quickly disrupt network operations and business productivity.

One of the companies using Packeteer for both application traffic management and zero-day attack containment is ACE, a global insurance company. "Last year when Blaster caused havoc with networks around the world, the impact we experienced was minimal," said Gary Greig, network & infrastructure manager at ACE. "We used Packeteer solutions to set policies that quickly contained the problem and minimized any problems for us, so we were largely unaffected. Even our security vendors were surprised."

Packeteer's application traffic management solutions are traditionally used to provide visibility, control, and acceleration of business-critical application traffic across corporate WAN and Internet links. For example, Packeteer's patented technology allows customers to classify all application traffic, then set QoS policies that ensure appropriate levels of bandwidth and prioritization for mission-critical applications across the WAN. Likewise, the technology also enables customers to set policies that limit or block unwanted traffic -- such as P2P, gaming, music videos, etc. -- which can consume bandwidth and cause congestion.

Now, like ACE Insurance, many of Packeteer's customers are leveraging the market leader's application traffic management capabilities to contain zero-day exploits before they impact network performance. Packeteer monitors incoming network traffic in real-time, detects traffic anomalies immediately, then applies policies to limit bandwidth and connection rates available to that traffic source or block malicious traffic altogether.

More specifically, Packeteer blocks disruptive and bursty applications, detects rogue servers and infected hosts on the network, controls outbreaks of viruses prior to inoculation, and contains denial-of-service attacks -- all while maintaining the integrity and performance of business-critical applications. These capabilities allow customers to contain a zero-day attack within minutes, thereby maintaining network integrity and business continuity until a security patch or vendor resolution becomes available.

"Perimeter security systems continue to become more sophisticated, but so do hackers -- making effective zero-day containment essential," said Jeff Barker, director of product management at Packeteer. "Our application traffic management system provides application-layer visibility and leverages it to protect important applications from less important and aggressive non-business traffic. As security exploits become more focused on disrupting business continuity, many of our customers are finding that they can leverage our core traffic management system to mitigate the business impact of worms and viruses, much in the same way they protect the performance of business applications from less important traffic."

Technology for containing zero-day attacks is available in all Packeteer application traffic management systems and further information is available at www.packeteer.com.

About Packeteer

Based in Cupertino, Calif., Packeteer(R) (Nasdaq:PKTR) is the leading provider of Application Traffic Management solutions that enable businesses to gain visibility and control of networked applications, and align application performance with business priorities. The company's products are sold through more than 100 resellers, distributors, service providers, and system integrators in more than 50 countries. For more information, contact Packeteer at 408-873-4400, email info@packeteer.com, or visit the company's Web site at www.packeteer.com.

Safe Harbor Clause

The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding Packeteer's expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. Forward-looking statements include express or implied statements regarding future revenues and profitability, spending levels by existing and prospective customers, new product development, liquidity and macro economic conditions. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based upon information available to Packeteer as of the date hereof. Packeteer assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Actual results may differ materially due to a number of factors including the perceived need for our products, our ability to convince potential customers of our value proposition, the costs of competitive solutions, continued capital spending by prospective customers and macro economic conditions. These and other risks relating to Packeteer's business are set forth in Packeteer's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 5, 2004, and Packeteer's Form 10-Qs and other reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.