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Akonix Identifies Jump in Instant Messaging Malware

Company's IM Security Center tracks 20 attacks in February IM Threat Report

San Diego, CA - February 28, 2008

San Diego, CA - February 28, 2008 - Akonix Systems, Inc. the leading provider of unified policy and risk management products for real-time communications, today announced its IM Security Center researchers tracked 20 new malicious code attacks over instant messaging (IM) networks in February, a 43% increase over the previous month.

New IM worms identified in February include Barten, Defusxyd, Dung and MSNemy. MSNemy and Imaut were the most common with two variants each, followed by Rbot with one. In addition, there were 15 attacks this month on P2P networks, such as Kazaa and eDonkey.

During February, Akonix security analysts issued six new policy updates to protect customers against new malware, using the industry's only dynamic IM malware, spam and protocol update system. Akonix Security Update Services automatically push updates to block spyware, worms, viruses and IM phishing. Akonix customers were secure on day zero from each new threat with the in-depth protection and containment features of Akonix's 360° Security for Real-Time Communications(tm).

The Akonix IM Security Center is a collaborative effort between Akonix and industry-leading partners in IM infrastructure and security. It focuses on emerging security threats posed by IM and P2P applications in the corporate environment, and is the foundation of 360° Security. Detailed information about the February 2008 IM Threat Report and historical threat data going back to 2002 can be found at www.imsecuritycenter.com.

Also in February, Akonix announced the release of the L7 Enterprise v7.0, the industry's first unified policy management platform. For more information on how L7 Enterprise on A-Series appliances from Akonix secures networks against the risks of unmanaged IM and P2P use, please visit www.akonix.com/360, call 619 615 9415 or email sales@akonix.com. Companies interested in putting Akonix products to work protecting their networks can receive a free 30-day evaluation of A6000 and A1000 IM security appliances at eval.akonix.com.

Executive quote

"For the past six years, we've tracked malicious IM activity, and we see that hackers continue to attack this increasingly popular collaboration tool," said Don Montgomery, VP of marketing at Akonix. "Furthermore, as companies begin to implement unified communications and increase the number of real-time media in use, malware writers will only benefit by having more platforms to penetrate. Businesses need to recognize this and take preemptive action before they lose valuable data due to a security breach or data leakage."

About the company

About Akonix
Akonix, the most deployed IM security and compliance product in the world, provides a Unified Policy Management (UPM) platform to monitor the use of unified communications applications in the workplace, administering and enforcing corporate policy and assisting with compliance regulations. The company offers a suite of UPM modules, simplifying and securing the use of real-time communications by managing all applications from a central location. L7 Enterprise performs security, archiving, content scanning, entitlement and reporting functions for real-time, electronic communications, including instant messaging, online conferencing, VoIP and electronic faxing.

Over 1.9 million people around the world rely on Akonix's products to manage and enforce electronic messaging policy and meet compliance requirements. Akonix is a Certified AOL Instant Messenger Partner, EMC Velocity Partner, HP Business Partner, IBM Business Partner, Intel Software Partner, Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, Sophos Partner, and Symantec Technology Enabled Partner. Furthermore, Akonix has developed business alliances and technology integrations with leading enterprise unified communications and IM platforms, including Bloomberg, IBM, Jabber, Inc., Microsoft and Reuters, and message archiving products from C2C, EMC, Fortiva, HP, Intradyn, Iron Mountain, Quest Software, Symantec, ZANTAZ and others.

For more information on Akonix and its UPM platform, please visit www.akonix.com.

Contact details

Amy White / Andy Oliver

LEWIS PR for Akonix

Tel: 619 677 2700

akonix@lewispr.com

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