Dell Partners With National Consumers League, Announces Consumer Internet Education Campaign; `Online E-ssentials' Addresses Issues in E-consumer Confidence Study.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

WASHINGTON, D.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 4, 2000

Dell (Nasdaq:DELL), the world's leading direct computer systems company, announced today a consumer Internet education campaign it is launching in partnership with the National Consumers League (NCL).

The "Online E-ssentials" campaign will educate U.S. consumers on issues of online privacy, security and children's online safety.

A national survey, commissioned by NCL with the support of Dell and conducted by Harris Interactive, revealed consumer attitudes on Internet privacy, security and children's online safety. The results of the E-consumer Confidence Study show widespread consumer concern and confusion about fears regarding security of financial and credit card information shared over the Internet and the kind of personal information that is collected online and how it is used. This is in spite of the fact that only 11 percent of those surveyed reported any experience with violation of their privacy online or theft of their financial information.

"Dell has a long history of advocating consumer interests, especially online privacy," said John Hamlin, vice president of Dell's consumer division.

"Companies like Dell, with direct customer relationships and a large and growing Internet business, know that consumers will only use a medium they can trust. This survey shows that our industry has more work to do in earning consumer trust and in equipping consumers with the essential information they need to control and make the most of their experience on the Internet. As an online leader, Dell is committed to helping consumers be more confident about Internet use."

"Concern about not having control of their personal information keeps consumers from taking full advantage of everything that the Internet offers," said Susan Grant, vice president of public policy for NCL. "They need to know their rights and how they can protect their privacy and safety in the online world."

Elements of the campaign unveiled today include a Web site with valuable information to help consumers take control of their online experiences and protect their privacy and security at www.nclnet.org/essentials. A free consumer guide, also introduced today, can be downloaded from the Internet. Dell and NCL will work together to use a variety of opportunities to help distribute this information to consumers.

Dell also announced a number of initiatives to support the campaign:

-- Member Information Center: A consumer resource available at www.dell4me.com,
the Member Information Center gives Dell customers a one-stop process to update
their personal information and preferences and expedite their site checkout.
With Dell's Member Information Center, consumers are in charge of how they want
Dell to communicate with them.

-- Online Resources: Dell will include educational information from the Online
E-ssentials program in future versions the Dell Solution Center, which is
currently installed on all Dell consumer PCs.

-- Customer Communications: Dell will promote these educational materials to
its customers in its ongoing customer contacts including Dell Browser, a
consumer magalog, and e-mail communications.

-- In-Box Communications: Dell will include Online E-ssentials educational
materials with shipments of Dell Dimension(tm) and Inspiron(tm) PCs to
consumers.

-- Employee Communications: Dell has embarked on an aggressive employee
communications campaign to ensure all Dell employees are familiar with the
campaign and partnership.

-- E-consumer Confidence Study: Dell will revisit the consumer survey one year
from now to measure how consumer attitudes about Internet issues have changed.

Dell has long been a pioneer of online consumer advocacy. It was the first computer company to be recognized with the Better Business Bureau Online's Privacy Seal. Dell is also a member of the Online Privacy Alliance, 80 companies and associations contributing to the dialogue on online privacy, and the Privacy Leadership Initiative, an organization of industry leaders that promotes responsible online privacy practices. Recently Planet IT ranked the company's Web site on privacy and security as "excellent."

About NCL

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America's pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to identify, protect, represent and advance the economic and social interests of consumers and workers. NCL is a private, nonprofit membership organization. For more information about NCL, contact Holly Anderson at 202/835-3323, ext. 114 or [e-mail].

About Dell

Dell Computer Corporation (Nasdaq:DELL) is the world's leading direct computer systems company, based on revenues of $28.5 billion for the past four quarters, and is a premier provider of products and services required for customers to build their Internet infrastructures. The company ranks No. 56 on the Fortune 500, No. 154 on the Fortune Global 500 and No. 3 on the Fortune "most admired" lists of companies. Dell designs, manufactures and customizes products and services to customer requirements, and offers an extensive selection of software and peripherals. Information on Dell and its products can be obtained on the World Wide Web at www.dell.com.

Dell is a trademark of Dell Computer Corporation.

Fortune 500 is a registered trademark of Time Inc.

Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.

Note: A press conference about the details of the E-consumer Confidence Study results and the Online E-ssentials campaign will be held at 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Oct. 4. Members of the media may join on the Web: http://webevents.broadcast.com/dell/nclpress1000, by phone: [phone] (code: 462734, title: NCL/Dell E-ssentials), or in person: Conus Studios, 1825 K Street, NW.