ADVISORY/Network Virus & Worm Experts Available To Discuss Iraq_Oil Virus; Mazu Networks...

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

ADVISORY...for Today (Dec. 19)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

What: A new virus, called Lioton or Iraq_Oil, has been detected, as reported on Informationweek.com and Infoworld.com. The virus is unlike many recent viruses that spread through e-mail.

It scans the Internet for Windows 2000 and XP systems that have shared folders and are not protected by a personal firewall. If the virus is able to crack the system's password, it copies itself to the system under the file name iraq_oil.exe and seeks out other systems to infect. The virus exploits the Windows Server Message Block on Port 445. According to F-Secure, most personal firewalls will protect against the worm.

According to reports, there is no reason the virus refers to Iraq. However, some security experts, including those Mazu Networks, expect more incidents of malicious viruses and worms to occur as a result of the increase in geo-political tensions.

The Informationweek.com article can be found at: http://www.informationweek.com/story/IWK20021217S0001

The Infoworld.com article can be found at: http://www.infoworld.com/articles/hn/xml/02/12/17/021217hniraqoil.xml?1218weam

Why: Mazu executives can serve as intelligent sources for journalists following the Iraq_Oil virus alert. These security experts can explain how and why this security threat can induce significant disruption and monetary loss to large and small enterprises, and how these types of viruses can be prevented rather than dealt with after the fact.

Who: Mazu Networks delivers enterprise network traffic security solutions to help commercial and government networks maintain business operations and regain control. Founded in Cambridge in May 2000, Mazu Network's intelligent and innovative approach to business continuity and productivity is based on its executive-level scientific expertise in content delivery, network protocols, packet processor design, user interfaces, modular packet processing architecture and application software development.

The Mazu Difference: Mazu Networks innovative Behavioral Threat Detection capabilities enables enterprises to detect characterized and uncharacterized threats through its traffic-based, dynamic, bimodal and distributed approach, known as "Pervasive Security". Mazu's approach breaks the vicious cycle of attack and response that characterizes today's passive signature based solutions.

Available Experts: James Melvin, president & CEO; other technical experts as required