Dell Highlights Consumer Awareness, Security Tools as Key in Battle Against Spyware

Business Wire, June 7, 2005

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Increased consumer awareness and use of security software subscriptions is helping slow the spread of productivity-crippling spyware on Dell (NASDAQ:DELL) customers' computers.

Mike George, vice president of Dell's U.S. Consumer business, today told the Louisiana Senate's Select Committee on Consumer Affairs and Technology that spyware-related calls to Dell technical support have decreased approximately 50 percent over the past year. Security software subscriptions among Dell customers have more than tripled.

Testifying here today, Mr. George said the improvement is primarily is due to enhanced consumer awareness, increased availability and application of security software subscriptions and attention from policymakers and law enforcement.

A Dell-Internet Education Foundation (IEF) poll conducted last fall indicated that the majority of consumers were not knowledgeable about spyware(a).

"We are encouraged that consumers, industry and policymakers are working to establish awareness around online menaces like spyware," said Mr. George. "That collaboration is helping increase consumer knowledge and access to the right tools, which is making it easier for consumers to use the Internet."

"In today's technology-driven world, it's important for Louisianans to be aware of the hazards of spyware and other electronic threats," said State Sen. Mike Michot, chairman of Louisiana's Senate Select Committee on Consumer Affairs and Technology. "Awareness is key in the fight against computer intrusion."

During his testimony, Mr. George pointed to work by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and public-private initiatives such as the Dell-IEF consumer awareness campaign as key drivers in increasing consumer awareness and use of software subscriptions. Last year, Dell also launched its own PC security awareness campaign, which included a new Web site dedicated to online security education and resources. Mr. George also is scheduled to appear Tuesday afternoon on a technology-focused consumer fraud panel during the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators annual conference in New Orleans.

About Dell

Dell Inc. (NASDAQ:DELL) is a trusted and diversified information-technology supplier and partner, and sells a comprehensive portfolio of products and services directly to customers worldwide. Dell, recognized by Fortune magazine as America's most admired company and No. 3 globally, designs, builds and delivers innovative, tailored systems that provide customers with exceptional value. Company revenue for the past four quarters was $51.1 billion. For more information about Dell and its products and services, visit www.dell.com.

(a) The IEF-Dell Survey was conducted by Ipsos-Public Affairs between September 17-19, 2004, with 742 Internet users taken from a representative sample of 1,000 adults nationwide.

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