F-Secure Takes Linux Security to a New Level, Launching Email Gateway Solution for ISPs and IT Departments, Together with New Linux-based Security Management Solutions.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 27, 2003

F-Secure's portfolio for Linux has been expanded with the launch of three new products: F-Secure Anti-Virus for Firewalls 6.10, F-Secure Anti-Virus for Linux Servers 4.50 and F-Secure Policy Manager for Linux. Covering both virus protection and data encryption, the products are optimized for protecting both standalone Linux computers as well as Linux servers and gateways, and to help remotely manage both Windows and Linux machines.

Besides introducing superior virus detection for Linux servers and email gateways, the new products provide true cross-platform management capability.

Linux has become one of the central building blocks in enterprises' global network infrastructure. Lack of security at this level would not only put the backbone itself in jeopardy, but also leave a majority of the end-users' computers vulnerable to attacks. F-Secure's Linux-products ensure that this backbone can be operated safely and prevent viruses from propagating through it.

"We have already seen several fast-spreading worms that use Linux servers to replicate. The Slapper incident is just one example," said Mikko Hypponen, manager of anti-virus research at F-Secure. "The only reliable way to fight this kind of threat is to implement security in the network itself."

F-Secure Anti-Virus for Firewalls 6.10 enables customer to use pure Linux/Unix solutions at the gateway level. With the same features as the Windows version, this product enables the customer to scan traffic that goes through the firewall. F-Secure Anti-Virus for Firewalls 6.10 is especially important in environments where the critical gateways are based on Unix/Linux to reduce downtime and improve scalability. With multiple scanning engines, it provides reliable protection against all known types of viruses, including macro, script and binary viruses.

F-Secure Anti-Virus for Linux Servers 4.50 provides a new architecture that is optimized for mail scanning and other similar tasks. The product provides a new powerful interface that is optimal for integration in systems like AMaViS that check contents for viruses. The interface allows the user to easily schedule tasks like virus scans and definition file updates. Like the company's Anti-Virus for Firewalls, F-Secure Anti-Virus for Linux Servers 4.50 is based on the same industry-leading scanning technology as the other products in the F-Secure anti-virus family. It uses the same update files and provides the equally high detection rate.

One of the most significant new features in F-Secure Anti-Virus for Linux Servers 4.50 is the daemon mode, which enables the user to load the scanning engines into memory permanently. A small lightweight module can attach to this daemon and start scanning tasks. This unique architecture ensures extremely fast scanning performance with quick and easy integration to any solution that might want to launch an anti-virus check.

F-Secure Policy Manager is the centralized policy management tool for the entire F-Secure product range. This tool has been available for Windows already for several years, and is now available for Linux as well. The new Linux-version introduces both a console and a server component for Linux. These components are fully compatible with the versions for Windows and mixed systems are supported. The most common installation scenario is a setup where several Linux servers running F-Secure Policy Manager Server are distributed through an enterprise network. Windows workstations connect to these servers and the administrator can use the Linux- or Windows-based F-Secure Policy Manager Console to manage the system.

The benefits are obvious in organizations that use Linux as their server platform. The F-Secure Policy Manager 5.11 for Linux is available for download at

http://www.f-secure.com/products/policy-man/linux/

Information and technical details on F-Secure's products, is available at http://www.F-Secure.com

About F-Secure

F-Secure Corporation is the leading provider of centrally managed security solutions for the mobile enterprise. The company's award-winning products include anti-virus, file encryption and network security solutions for major platforms from desktops to servers and from laptops to handhelds. Founded in 1988, F-Secure has been listed on the Helsinki Exchanges since November 1999. The company is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, with the North American headquarters in San Jose, California, as well as offices in Germany, Sweden, Japan and the United Kingdom and regional offices in the USA. F-Secure is supported by a network of value added resellers and distributors in over 90 countries around the globe. Through licensing and distribution agreements, the company's security applications are available for the products of the leading handheld equipment manufacturers, such as Nokia and Hewlett-Packard.