Main News Desk

Akonix Issues Warnings on Trends in Instant Messaging Threat Activity

Publishes January IM Threat Report

San Diego, CA - January 29, 2008

San Diego, CA - January 29, 2008 - Akonix Systems, Inc., a provider of policy, compliance and risk management products for real-time communications, today announced its IM Security Center researchers tracked 14 new malicious code attacks over instant messaging (IM) networks in January, further illustrating the trend the company has tracked the past few months regarding increases in sophistication.

New IM worms identified in January include MSNChristmas, MSNVB, Perin and Raiodin. In addition, there were 14 attacks this month on P2P networks, such as Kazaa and eDonkey.

During January, Akonix security analysts issued five new policy updates to protect customers against new malware, using the industry's only dynamic IM malware, spim and protocol update system. Akonix Security Update Services automatically push updates to block spyware, worms and viruses. 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).

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 January 2008 IM Threat Report and historical threat data going back to 2000 can be found at www.imsecuritycenter.com.

For more information on how 360° Security 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

"Although the number of IM attacks in January 2008 is somewhat low, it doesn't mean that hackers have gone into hiding," said Don Montgomery, VP of marketing at Akonix. "We are continuing to see an increase in the intensity of malicious online activity, and only anticipate it to worsen as organizations begin to roll out Unified Communications platforms this year. If they haven't already, businesses should take action to prevent their networks from being compromised due to unprotected real-time communications applications in use by their employees."

About the company

About Akonix
Akonix is the most deployed IM security and compliance product in the world, enabling companies of all sizes to install productive, enterprise-wide IM that is secure, compliant and managed.

Over 1.9 million people around the world rely on Akonix's products to protect their networks and meet compliance requirements. With more than 20 patent applications, Akonix's 360° Security provides the industry's only automatically-updated protection to block viruses and malware for both enterprise and public IM systems. Akonix is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, an IBM Business Partner, an Intel Software Partner, an EMC Velocity Partner, and an HP Business Partner. Furthermore, Akonix has developed business alliances and integrated its technology with leading enterprise IM platforms, including Reuters, Microsoft, IBM, Jabber, Inc. and Bloomberg, and message archiving products from EMC, HP, Symantec, Iron Mountain, ZANTAZ, Intradyn, C2C, Fortiva, Quest Software and others.

An IM industry first, the Akonix IM Security Center (www.imsecuritycenter.com) provides real-time information about worms, viruses and other vulnerabilities that target IM and P2P networks. The company issues monthly and quarterly IM threat watch reports to track key trends and vulnerabilities.

Contact details

Amy White / Aida Causevic

LEWIS PR for Akonix

Tel: 619 677 2700

akonix@lewispr.com

Recent Press Releases

2010 Archive

2009 Archive

2008 Archive

2007 Archive

Jump to:

Main News Desk

Akonix Issues Warnings on Trends in Instant Messaging Threat Activity

Executive quote

About the company

Contact details

Related links