Akonix Customers Automatically Protected Against New JPEG Virus Spreading Over Instant Messaging

Business Wire, Oct 1, 2004

SAN DIEGO -- Offers Free Trials of Award-Winning L7 Enterprise with Industry's Only Auto Updatable Filter for IM-Based Worms, Adware and Other Security Threats

Akonix Systems, Inc., the premier provider of business solutions for secure, managed and integrated multi-network enterprise instant messaging (IM), has protected its customers against a new security threat that is currently spreading over instant messaging networks. While other companies are merely warning their customers about the threat, Akonix identified this virus and automatically updated its products to protect corporations using Akonix L7 Enterprise from the attack.

This latest vulnerability is an Internet worm that is embedded in a JPEG file and exploits a newly disclosed security flaw in Microsoft software. Once an IM user receives a message that reads "Check out my profile, click GET INFO!" with a link to a URL, malicious code will install 'backdoor' software on the user's PC, allowing hackers to take full control of the victim's computer. All recipients that receive this message will also unknowingly send the message to all of the contacts on their buddy lists.

Leveraging the industry's only dynamic update capability, real-time IM content filtering and Akonix's unique IM security expertise, Akonix L7 Enterprise provides an unmatched defense against IM-borne attacks. Updated SpIM and Malware Filters automatically -- and without any IT intervention -- download and install to deployed Akonix systems, preventing new threats as soon as they emerge.

While customers of other IM management systems may receive an email warning from their vendor of the new threat, Akonix is the only IM management company to automatically push out and install security policies to immediately stop the spreading of the latest threat.

For maximum security, Akonix advises all of its customers to download and install the latest patches from Microsoft to protect against this vulnerability. While IT departments coordinate the application of these patches to potentially thousands of desktops, Akonix L7 Enterprise SpIM and Malware Filters provide the organization with a critical, additional layer of defense to immediately stop the propagation of this virus.

"This isn't the first attack using IM networks and it definitely won't be the last, and companies serious about security need more than just a warning from their IM management vendor about the latest attack," said Dmitry Shapiro, chief technology officer at Akonix Systems. "Companies need to know that their IM management system is continuously kept up-to-date with the latest protective policies to insulate them from attacks, which are now increasing at an alarmingly high rate as IM becomes the target of choice for the developers of viruses, worms and other malicious content."

Akonix is now offering free trials of its award-winning L7 Enterprise IM management gateway and Akonix Enforcer, designed to block and monitor IM activity on corporate networks. These solutions help enterprises protect against the latest IM attacks while enabling the secure, productive use of instant messaging throughout the enterprise.

For more information on how Akonix solutions ensure networks are protected against the risks of unmanaged IM use, or to request a 30-day trial of Akonix L7 Enterprise to immediately protect your network, please visit www.akonix.com, or contact Akonix's sales group at sales@akonix.com / 619-615-9415.

About Akonix

Akonix is the leading provider of enterprise-class business solutions for leveraging the power of multi-network enterprise instant messaging. Akonix's award-winning products leverage patent-pending core technology, an advanced IM application development platform, and certified strategic partnerships to deliver multi-network management, security, integration and compliance capabilities across all major IM systems, including America Online(R) AIM and ICQ, Microsoft MSN, Yahoo!(R) Messenger, Microsoft(R) Live Communications Server, Reuters Messaging, IBM/Lotus SameTime and Jabber.

More than 300 customers in Financial Services, Telecommunications, Energy, Technology, Healthcare and Entertainment depend on Akonix to manage, secure and enable IM for over 350,000 enterprise users. Akonix is the preferred IM management solution of some of the world's largest companies, including Cingular Wireless, Qualcomm, EMC and ING.

Akonix is widely recognized as the technology and market innovator with awards for its L7 Enterprise IM gateway from Windows & .NET Magazine, Network World, eWeek, SC Magazine, PC Magazine and UCSD Connect. Akonix is backed by leading venture capital firms Menlo Ventures, Mission Ventures, Palomar Ventures and Windward Ventures, who collectively manage over $3 billion in capital.

To enable secure and productive use of multi-network instant messaging in your organization, visit www.akonix.com for a free trial or to request more information.