AuthenTec to Support Windows 7 Beta Program.

AuthenTec Will Offer Windows 7 Beta Program Participants Software That Supports the Use of AuthenTec Fingerprint Sensors in Windows 7-based PCs

MELBOURNE, Fla. -- AuthenTec (NASDAQ:AUTH), the world's leading provider of fingerprint sensors and solutions, announced its support of the Windows 7 operating system. AuthenTec will provide beta test participants with access to software that supports the use of AuthenTec fingerprint sensors with the new Windows Biometric Framework to enable convenient logon for Windows 7-based PCs.

AuthenTec has worked closely with Microsoft Corp. on the development of the Windows Biometric Framework within Windows 7. The Windows Biometric Framework allows developers of fingerprint management applications to work with supported fingerprint sensors in systems using Windows 7, providing ease of fingerprint sensor integration for PC manufacturers and a more consistent user experience.

"We are pleased by the innovative software that AuthenTec is providing during the Windows 7 beta program to ensure that the Windows Biometric Framework is robust," said Dustin Ingalls, Director of Program Management: Windows Core Operating System Division at Microsoft Corp. "We are working to ensure that participants can easily experience the convenience of logging on to Windows 7 PCs equipped with AuthenTec's fingerprint sensors."

"Microsoft's commitment to the Windows Biometric Framework and its native support for fingerprint sensors in Windows 7 underscores the growing adoption of fingerprint sensors as a highly valued feature in today's most innovative PCs and systems," said Andy VanDamia, AuthenTec's Director of PC Software. "We're proud to support Microsoft on this important beta program which will help further refine Windows 7 and its built-in support for AuthenTec's solutions."

Millions of PCs include AuthenTec fingerprint sensors as a convenient security feature, including business and consumer notebooks as well as ultraportable PCs from the world's leading brands from ASUS, Acer, Dell, Fujitsu, Fujitsu Siemens, HP, Lenovo, LG, Samsung and Toshiba. These innovative, high performance PCs integrate AuthenTec's small form factor AES1610, single chip match-on AES2810 and new AES2550 fingerprint sensors for enhanced security and convenience features such as password replacement, fast user switching, application quick launch and file/folder encryption with the simple swipe of the finger.

AuthenTec's award-winning fingerprint sensors are based on the Company's patented TruePrint[R] technology which reads below the surface of the skin to the live layer where the true fingerprint resides. The sensors bring Power of Touch[R] features including security, convenience, personalization and navigation to over 30 million PCs and peripherals, and more than 9 million cell phones worldwide.

About AuthenTec

With more than 40 million sensors sold worldwide, AuthenTec is the world leader in providing fingerprint authentication sensors and solutions to the high-volume PC, wireless device and access control markets. AuthenTec's award-winning sensors take full advantage of The Power of Touch([R])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. All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners.