Bit9 Introduces New Comprehensive Approach to Malware Protection through Application Control.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Bit9, Inc., which enables Windows Desktop Administrators to identify and stop non-business applications, today unveiled major enhancements to its Parity[TM] Version 3.5 application control software and its ParityCenter[TM] file identification knowledgebase. Bit9's technology enables Windows administrators to control what software can and cannot run on desktops, resulting in better security, greater availability, and ultimately, full compliance with IT policies across the enterprise.

Bit9 is offering a new, innovative approach to identify software and determine its trustworthiness. By leveraging multiple sources of information, Bit9 ParityCenter will enable Windows Administrators to more accurately identify malicious software. Bit9 plans to broaden its powerful, compounded approach through:

* Multiple third-party authoritative sources of malware information

* Qualifying acquired software via multiple industry-leading anti-malware and spyware solutions and assigning it a threat level

* The addition of code-vulnerability assessment technology

Bit9's new, comprehensive approach is a breakthrough in the industry, compared to current anti-malware scanning techniques that use a single signature database via an endpoint scanner. This industry-first combination of approaches in ParityCenter is integrated with Parity so that customers get the best possible desktop protectionCowithout relying on a single set of technologies.

In addition, Parity will now offer more application control options for Windows Administrators to manage what software is running in their desktop environment, such as: software metering, device control capabilities, and more flexible banning policies. The new release of Parity and ParityCenter will be introduced into the marketplace the first week of December.

"Current anti-malware scanning techniques have proven to be ineffective due to their reactive nature," said Robin Bloor, analyst with Hurwitz & Associates. "Bit9's proactive, next-generation approach is revolutionary for identifying malware and controlling applications."

"Virus Bulletin is pleased for Bit9 to include VB's malware prevalence information in the Bit9 ParityCenter file identification knowledgebase as a tool to help identify and control malware," said Helen Martin, chief of staff with Virus Bulletin, which provides PC users with a regular source of uninfluenced, unbiased, independent intelligence about computer viruses.

New Features and Functionality:

* Malware identification - ParityCenter, the world's definitive source for identifying unknown files on Windows computers with 1.3 billion entries, now identifies commercial, non-business, and malicious software. Bit9 compiles the knowledgebase via an innovative, proprietary method of crawling the Web, incorporating repositories of malware information, through aggressive acquisition of physical media, and software partnerships including Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) and IBM (NYSE: IBM). Once new software is detected on an enterprise desktop, Parity checks it against ParityCenter to verify its identity and integrity. In addition, Bit9 enables customers to quickly evaluate new software through an automated trust factor, based on data such as signed certificates and their sources.

* Device control to manage reads, writes, and executions of files (executables or otherwise) from removable media. Device control helps customers enforce policies for both data and software on USB keys, CD-RWs, and other such media.

* Software metering that tracks the total number of users and groups running an individual software application and how often that application is used-crucial for license compliance and software auditing, among other uses.

* More granular banning options so customers can construct and enforce software usage policies tailored to business needs on a group-by-group basis. When the software banning capabilities of Bit9 Parity are combined with the file identification capabilities of Bit9 ParityCenter, customers benefit from the most effective protection against non-business software on Windows computers.

"Incorporating malware identification into ParityCenter provides our customers with a new, comprehensive approach to enterprise desktop protection that was not possible before," said Tom Murphy, Chief Marketing Officer, Bit9. "This approach fundamentally changes the way malware is identified and controlled, giving our customers the compounded benefits of a comprehensive, multi-layered approach to both desktop protection and application control."

About Bit9, Inc.

Bit9 provides the easiest and most effective way for Microsoft Windows Desktop Administrators to identify and stop non-business applications. By centrally controlling which applications can and cannot run, Bit9 drastically reduces the volume of desktop support calls, thereby maintaining the highest levels of availability, compliance, and security. Unlike other application control solutions that require significant setup and intervention, Bit9 installs in minutes and automates the approval or banning of new applications. Founded in 2002 by the founders of Okena (acquired by Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO)) and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Bit9 is a privately held company. For more information, visit www.bit9.com.

Bit9, Inc., Automatic Graylists, FileAdvisor, Find File, Parity, and ParityCenter are trademarks or registered trademarks of Bit9, Inc. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.