AuthenTec's Power of Touch Enables Password Replacement, Fast User Switching in New APC Biometric Card for Laptops; Stores 20 Different Fingerprints; Allows Unlimited Login Names and Passwords.

MELBOURNE, FLA. & WEST KINGSTON, R.I. -- AuthenTec today announced that APC's new PCMCIA Password Manager personal fingerprint scanner incorporates AuthenTec's Power of Touch sensor for security identification. The PCMCIA personal fingerprint scanner card replaces the need for passwords and enables fast user switching in laptop computers.

APC selected the EntrePad 4000 fingerprint sensor from AuthenTec, the world leader in fingerprint sensor innovation and sales for more than five years, for its new PCMCIA Password Manager. The AuthenTec sensor provides secure authentication to the card, replacing the hassle of creating and changing multiple passwords to access the computer, applications, and favorite Web sites. Instead, users simply touch their finger on the card's sensor. And with APC's ejector design, the sensor hides away inside the laptop until a user needs it.

"AuthenTec's sensors combine excellent security with ease of use," said Joe Loberti, general manager of APC's Consumer Network Solutions Group. "We have embedded AuthenTec sensors into all of our products because of their accuracy and reliability."

APC's research shows that the average computer user has to remember approximately 17 different passwords. Furthermore, calls to help desks are often related to forgotten passwords, according to several leading industry analysts. Biometric password management can reduce this call volume significantly.

"With the rapid rise of notebook computing, and the struggle to protect them with multiple logins and passwords, many PC users and businesses are turning to biometric password managers for their advanced security and convenience," said Tom Aebli, director of PC segment marketing for AuthenTec. "APC has long been on the cutting edge of addressing these issues with advanced biometric solutions. We are very pleased that they continue to rely on AuthenTec's proven sensors."

AuthenTec sensors are used in more than 100 different PCs and peripherals to provide advanced security and to replace the need for passwords -- allowing authorized users to easily and quickly access their files by simply touching or sliding their finger across the sensor surface, while restricting access to the computer and its files to only those enrolled. This reduces the risk of theft or fraud. AuthenTec sensors also make PCs easier to use, by enabling users to quickly open applications, switch desktop applications, and other functions - at the simple touch of their finger.

The APC PCMCIA Password Manager permits storage of up to 20 different fingerprints or 20 different users on a single laptop - an unlimited number of logins and passwords are permitted for each user. Once the password is entered into the card and associated with the enrolled fingerprint, the user can forget the password - the fingerprint will serve as the identification source. Once installed, a user simply places their finger on the sensor and the software automatically fills in the login and password information. The user can then update the password as frequently as desired - using highly hack-resistant combinations of characters.

As an added user benefit, when used with Windows XP, the PCMCIA unit allows for fast user switching where each user's personal desktop applications and passwords are automatically recognized on the shared laptop or PC, with just the touch of a finger.

More information about APC and the PCMCIA Password Manager is available at 800-877-4080 or www.apc.com. Suggested retail price for the product is $149.99.

About American Power Conversion 

Founded in 1981, American Power Conversion is a leading provider of global, end-to-end solutions for real-time infrastructure. APC's comprehensive products and services for home and corporate environments improve the availability, manageability and performance of sensitive electronic, network, communication and industrial equipment of all sizes. Headquartered in West Kingston, Rhode Island, APC reported sales of $1.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2004, and is a Fortune 1000, Nasdaq 100 and S&P 500 Company. All trademarks are the property of their owners.

About AuthenTec

With more than five million sensors in use worldwide, AuthenTec is the world leader in fingerprint sensor innovation and sales to the PC, wireless, and access control markets. AuthenTec's award-winning FingerLoc(R) and EntrePad(R) sensors take full advantage of The Power of Touch(TM) by utilizing the company's patented TruePrint(R) technology to deliver the most convenient, reliable and cost-effective means available for enabling touch-powered features that extend beyond user authentication. The company's network of partners, solution providers and customers include: Analog Devices, APC, Compal, Cherry, Fujitsu Computer, Computer Associates, Fellowes, HP, IBM, LGE, Microsoft, Motion Computing, NEC Packard Bell, Pantech, Samsung, Tatung, Texas Instruments, Toshiba, Quanta, Wistron, among others. Visit www.authentec.com.