Clearswift Warns: Spam, Viruses and Malicious Code Set to Peak in December.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 25, 2003

Clearswift, the world leader in content filtering software, providing safe messages, secure boundaries and best practice in electronic communications, is warning companies to ensure they are fully protected against the constantly evolving e-threats which are plaguing organizations. Spamming techniques are increasingly being used to spread malicious code, so organizations must consider anti-spam solutions as an integral part of holistic, multilayered defense.

Spam as unsolicited mail shows no signs of abating over the Christmas period, as spammers attempt to peddle seasonal products to employees full of the Christmas spirit. Virus writers may also use spamming techniques to distribute electronic greeting cards, which are a proven way of network infiltration. These employ similar social engineering tactics, encouraging recipients to open files that contain viruses or Trojans.

No longer can organizations expect to be protected from such menaces by deploying just firewall and anti-virus technology -- new threats such as spyware and the ever-evolving nature of viruses require a more proactive defense. By scrutinizing data contained in e-mail and Web pages, companies can defend against all content-based threats at the gateway.

2003 has already been a bumper year for electronic mischief, with malware writers creating increasingly complex "blended threats" in an attempt to exploit the limitations of established AV, firewall and IDS solutions. By simultaneously using multiple channels to propagate, malware can fall outside the scope of traditional filters, which have not been configured to recognize the file as a threat. Therefore, more sophisticated intrusions such as the Blaster worm, Sober virus and spyware programs are able to infiltrate the network.

"Spam is evolving from purely unsolicited mail to sell products and services to a tool used by virus and malicious code writers as a new way to spread chaos," said Pete Simpson, Clearswift's ThreatLab manager. "With ever more ingenious rouses being used, and SoBig G expected any day, organizations need to be prepared."

About Clearswift

Clearswift is the world's leading provider of software for managing and securing electronic communications. Clearswift solutions ensure business compliance through safe messaging, secure boundaries and best practice in electronic communications. Clearswift delivers the capabilities for organizations to protect themselves against e-mail and Web-based threats, meet legal and regulatory requirements, implement productivity-saving policies and manage intellectual property passing through their network.

Clearswift's software portfolio includes Clearswift ENTERPRISEsuite(TM), a software infrastructure for managing e-policies in complex environments, and Clearswift MIMEsweeper(TM), a product family for e-mail and Web e-policies. More information about Clearswift, its products and services is available at www.clearswift.com.