TMCnet News
Expected ''Nastier Sasser'' Worm Highlights Dangers of Relying on Patches -- Recent Attacks Are a ''Wake-up Call'' for Improving Application Defenses of Networks SAN JOSE, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- May 6, 2004 -- Secure Computing Corporation (NASDAQ:SCUR), the experts in securing connections between people, applications, and networks(TM), today announced that the company's enterprise firewall and security appliance customers were protected from this week's outbreak of the malicious "Sasser" worm, and the company expects defenses to hold against a predicted "nastier" Sasser worm. Security experts have predicted the Sasser worm may merge with Netsky and create a far more destructive worm. The first Sasser worm was stopped at the perimeter of networks protected by Secure Computing's Sidewinder(R) G2 Security Appliance due to the Application Defenses(TM) embedded in the Sidewinder."The recent outbreak of malicious attacks such as Sasser, MyDoom, and Netsky should be a wake-up call to industry," said Mike Gallagher, senior vice president of product development for Secure Computing. "Many companies are relying on 'react and patch' firewalls that are not able to cope with such 'zero day' outbreaks as Sasser, and the consequences can be devastating. Firewalls that are designed to thwart application-based attacks, such as the Sidewinder offer much greater protection." While a number of government agencies such as Britain's Coast Guard and Taiwan's Postal Service, were seriously affected by the Sasser worm, Secure Computing customers like the State of Maryland Department of Planning were protected. "Just as with earlier worms like Blaster, our Sidewinder protected us from the Sasser worm," said Jim Johnson, Network Manager of the Maryland Department of Planning. "We appreciate the way Sidewinder G2 has been built from the ground up, including a hardened operating system, to thwart such these type of attacks -- even before they occur." Secure Computing's Application Defenses strategy is at the heart of the multi-layered defense-in-depth design of the Sidewinder G2 Security Appliance. The ability to face and defeat both known and unknown attacks is the strength of the Sidewinder G2 Application Defenses capabilities. About Secure Computing Secure Computing (NASDAQ:SCUR) has been securing the connections between people and information for over 20 years. Specializing in delivering solutions that secure these connections, Secure Computing is uniquely qualified to be the global security solutions provider to organizations of all sizes. Our more than 11,000 global customers, supported by a worldwide network of partners, include the majority of the Dow Jones Global 50 Titans and the most prominent organizations in banking, financial services, healthcare, telecommunications, manufacturing, public utilities, and federal and local governments. The company is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., and has sales offices worldwide. For more information, see http://www.securecomputing.com. This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to Sidewinder and its ability to protect against Internet "worms." Such statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are delays in product development, undetected software errors or bugs, competitive pressures, technical difficulties, changes in customer requirements, general economic conditions and the risk factors detailed from time to time in Secure Computing's periodic reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All trademarks, trade names or service marks used or mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. |
