AST first PC vendor to market McAfee'S 32-bit Scan95 anti-virus software on business desktops; AST Strengthens PC Investment With McAfee's Virus Protection Software.

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 14, 1995--Reinforcing its commitment to asset management and advanced security, AST Computer (NASDAQ:ASTA) Thursday announced the availability of McAfee's (NASDAQ:MCAF) Scan95(tm) for Windows(r) 95 anti-virus technology in its new Bravo MS desktop systems.

The technology is incorporated into AST's third generation desktop utility known as AST-CommandCenter(tm). AST-CommandCenter is designed to help the professional IS manager maintain the resources attached to corporate networks.

"We are pleased to arm our business desktops with McAfee's industry-leading virus protection as part of AST-CommandCenter," said Dan Sheppard, AST's director of business desktops. "We believe that bundling McAfee's Scan95 anti-virus technology with AST-CommandCenter provides our customers with improved system protection and value-added insurance."

Using McAfee's Scan95, a user has the choice of performing virus scans at system start-up or on-demand. For example, Scan95 can be configured to continue a scan after a virus has been detected, prompt the user for instructions, automatically clean the infection, or automatically delete the file. Scan95 combined with AST-CommandCenter provides an improved measure of protection that is integrated into desktop operation.

"We applaud AST for taking proactive and decisive steps to protect their customers from viruses," said Rick Kreysar, vice president of marketing at McAfee, based in Santa Clara, Calif. "Windows 95 can make good use of this protection because it does not include bundled anti-virus capabilities. Scan95's new 32-bit architecture offers superior virus detection that has been designed specifically for use with Windows 95," he added.

Offering a new level of data protection to business, educational, government and corporate customers alike, AST takes McAfee's software to new levels of advancement in this latest Bravo MS lineup. According to McAfee, Scan95 is regarded as the standard in more than 50 countries around the world, with more than 20,000 corporations utilizing the software.

"AST has been a leader in desktop management since the introduction of our Premium II systems over four years ago," Sheppard said. "While other computer makers are just now beginning to incorporate these mission critical security tools, AST is providing a level of system insurance virtually unsurpassable today."

AST recognizes that the mid-range business market places top priority on competitively priced computing solutions that will meet customer needs of today and tomorrow. In keeping with this philosophy, AST has designed its Bravo line of business desktops to provide plenty of "head room" for future growth. With its new lineup of Bravo MS desktop PCs, AST has increased the value of ownership by offering bonus software and utility packages as well as the expandability and compatibility of components to meet users' long-term needs. The new Bravo MS boasts Pentium processors ranging from 75 MHz to 133 MHz, 850 MB to 1.6 GB hard drives, 8 MB to 16 MB of memory, 256 KB cache, and integrated PCI-based 64-bit ATI graphics with 1 MB of video memory. Selected models come standard with a quad-speed CD-ROM drive.

McAfee Corporate Background

Founded in 1989, McAfee is the leading vendor of network security and network management products for the PC network management market. The company also is a leader in Internet and Web-based electronic software distribution. McAfee has headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., and can be reached by phone at 408/988-3832 or by fax at 408/970-9727. McAfee's Web address is http://www.mcafee.com.

Corporate Background

AST Research Inc., a member of the Fortune 500 list of America's largest industrial and service companies, is one of the world's leading personal computer manufacturers. The $2.468 billion company develops a broad spectrum of desktop, mobile and server PC products that are sold in more than 100 countries worldwide. AST systems meet a wide range of customer needs, ranging from corporate business applications to advanced home and home office use. Corporate headquarters is located at 16215 Alton Parkway, P.O. Box 57005, Irvine, Calif., 92619-7005. Telephone [phone] or 800/ 876-4278. Fax: [phone].

Note To Editors: AST is a registered trademark of AST Research, Inc. AST-VoiceCommand is a trademark of AST Research Inc. Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corp. Microsoft, Windows and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. Scan95 is a trademark of McAfee Associates, Inc. All other product service names mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

CONTACT: AST Computer Research, Irvine

Camerone Welch-Thorson, 714/727-8858

email: [e-mail]