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SAVVIS, With Support From Spamhaus, Extends Its Leadership Position In The Fight Against Spam; International Anti-Spam Organization Works With SAVVIS To Reduce Spam Industry-Wide ST. LOUIS --(Business Wire)-- Sept. 9, 2004 -- SAVVIS To Disconnect An Estimated 40 Spammers Identified by SpamhausSAVVIS Communications (NASDAQ:SVVS), a leading global IT utility, announced today that its strong anti-spam policies will apply to all operations acquired through its March 2004 purchase of the assets of Cable & Wireless America (CWA). In addition, after close consultation with Spamhaus, a worldwide organization of spam fighters, SAVVIS is adopting Spamhaus' Register of Know Spam Operations (ROKSO) database as a principal metric for ensuring that the SAVVIS global IT infrastructure does not promote or condone spamming. SAVVIS, long recognized for having one of the most stringent Acceptable Use Policies (AUP) regarding spam in the industry, has been integrating the assets it acquired from CWA in March 2004. While the acquisition brought SAVVIS 3,000 new enterprise customers, 15 data centers, deep consulting and operations expertise, and a Tier 1 OC-192 Internet backbone, it also included approximately 40 spam offenders that have been listed in the Spamhaus ROKSO database (some of these offenders are listed multiple times). SAVVIS will use the ROKSO "three strikes" list to help identify and proactively disconnect spam operations. Collectively, these offenders represent an immaterial portion of SAVVIS' revenue. The ROKSO database collates information and evidence on known spam operations that have had their services terminated by a minimum of three consecutive Internet Service Providers for serious spam offenses. According to Spamhaus, 90% of spam received by Internet users in North America and Europe can be traced to a group of approximately 200 known spam operations, almost all of which are listed in the ROKSO database. These spam operations consist of an estimated 500-600 professional spammers loosely grouped into gangs ("spam gangs"), many or most of whom are operating illegally and move from network to network, seeking out Internet Service Providers ("ISPs") known for lax enforcement of anti-spam policies. "Spamhaus has long recognized SAVVIS as a 'White Hat Network' with exemplary policies and procedures to control the proliferation of spam," said Steve Linford, CEO and Founder of the Spamhaus Project. "We are pleased to work with SAVVIS to fight against spam and encourage others in the industry to adopt their leadership model." SAVVIS is rated as the #2 market share leader in Web hosting by industry analyst IDC and the #1 provider of network-based IP VPNs by analyst In-Stat/MDR. Its Internet backbone services approximately 30% of the world's Internet routes. With over 6,000 enterprise clients, SAVVIS is a leader in delivering IT services to businesses. "SAVVIS has always been, and will always be, anti-spam," said Rob McCormick, Chairman and CEO of SAVVIS. "Extending our anti-spam policies and procedures to our recently acquired assets is an important part of the CWA integration process. Our relationship with Spamhaus, builder of the world's most respected spam blocklist, will allow us to continue leading the industry fight against spam." About Spamhaus Spamhaus is an international non-profit organization whose mission is to undertake research and action to protect Internet users and networks from senders of Unsolicited Bulk Email ("spammers"). Based in the UK, Spamhaus is run by a dedicated team of volunteer investigators located around the world and providing 24/7 coverage of serious email abuse issues. Spamhaus tracks the Internet's Spammers, Spam Gangs and Spam Services, provides dependable realtime anti-spam protection for Internet networks, and works with Law Enforcement Agencies to identify and pursue spammers worldwide. About SAVVIS SAVVIS Communications (NASDAQ:SVVS) is a global IT Utility that leads the industry in delivering secure, reliable, and scalable hosting, network, and application services. SAVVIS' strategic approach combines the use of virtualization technology, a utility services model, and automated software management and provisioning systems. This allows customers to focus on their core business while SAVVIS ensures the quality of their IT infrastructure. With its recent acquisition of the assets of Cable & Wireless America, SAVVIS becomes one of the world's largest providers of managed IP network and hosting services. For more information about SAVVIS, visit: www.savvis.net. For more information about end-to-end media services from SAVVIS' WAM!NET division, visit: www.wamnet.com. Forward-Looking Statements This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from SAVVIS' expectations. Certain factors that could affect actual results are set forth as risk factors in SAVVIS' SEC reports and filings, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2004, and all subsequent filings. SAVVIS assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements. |
