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SMARTguard Reveals Blockster, A Response to Illegal P2P Downloads; SMARTguard to Present at FTC Event on P2P and Consumer ProtectionPORTLAND, Ore. --(Business Wire)-- Dec. 7, 2004 -- SMARTguard Software(TM), a provider of tools for helping parents address the problems of illegal, inappropriate and excessive computer use, today announced Blockster, a software program that exclusively monitors free peer-to-peer (P2P) program use to restrict illegal downloads of copyrighted materials, such as movies and music, and prevents children's access to pornography. SMARTguard will present the technology during a panel at the Federal Trade Commission's workshop on P2P file-sharing, December 15-16, 2004 in Washington D.C. Research indicates children and adolescents living at home are responsible for 50% of illegal file downloads of music, movies and software, and have unrestricted access to pornography. Often parents don't know how their children are using P2P programs, or the potential health, safety, and legal risks. Blockster is a simple to use software program that addresses this problem by automatically recognizing and restricting P2P program access. Blockster features include: -- Streamlined installation and easy-to-use interface -- Automatic updates for blocking all the latest P2P programs -- Password override when parent allows safe P2P use -- Logs both P2P program launches and blocks, and emails detailed reports to parent "We are working with the entertainment industry, including record, movie, and software companies to distribute our software to parents," said Tom Sperry, CEO of SMARTguard Software. "It is important to both families and entertainment companies that P2P file sharing be used appropriately. A simple tool like Blockster allows parents to set limits for their children will benefit everyone." SMARTguard Software will be presenting the technology during the panel entitled "Technological Responses to Protect Consumers Using P2P File-Sharing Programs" at the FTC event on December 15 at 11:30 a.m. More information on Blockster and a free software trial is available at www.smartguardsoftware.com. About SMARTguard Software SMARTguard Software was founded by two medical doctors to provide software tools to help parents address the problems associated with inappropriate, illegal and excessive computer use. Based in Portland, Oregon, the company is focused on addressing computer gaming and free peer-to-peer applications. For more information, visit http://www.smartguardsoftware.com SMARTguard and Blockster are trademarks of SMARTguard Software, Inc. Other trademarks are the property of their respective holders. |
