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Akonix Tracks 22 Instant Messaging Attacks During October

Predicts upcoming spike in malicious activity as companies prepare unified communications roll-outs

San Diego, CA - October 29, 2007

San Diego, CA - October 29, 2007 - Akonix Systems, Inc., a provider of policy and risk management products for real-time communications, today announced its IM Security Center researchers tracked 22 malicious code attacks over instant messaging (IM) networks and a 50% increase in threats on P2P networks during the month of October. Although the number of monthly IM threats decreased from September, Akonix forecasts this is the calm before the storm as businesses implement unified communications (UC) platforms in 2008.

New IM worms identified include AttachMsngr, Botsie, Destructor, Orcu, QQDragon, Weapbot and Yahack. Sdbot was the most common with three variants, followed by Destructor and Yahack with one each. In addition, attacks on P2P networks, such as Kazaa and eDonkey, increased 50% this month over last, with 24 attacks.

During October, Akonix security analysts issued three 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 customers 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).

The Akonix IM Security Center is a collaborative effort between Akonix and industry-leading partners in IM infrastructure and security. It focuses on the emerging security threats posed by IM and P2P applications in the corporate environment, and is the foundation of 360° Security. Detailed information about the October 2007 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

"Despite this month's slowdown, the ongoing implementation of UC will introduce new corporate vulnerabilities and liabilities, including the number of entry points for hackers to attack," said Don Montgomery, VP of marketing at Akonix. "As companies continue to multiply the number of real-time applications deployed, they need to protect themselves from new threat vectors. IM will be a key point of contention, as Akonix anticipates it will become the foundation for electronic messaging on corporate desktops."

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 Gold Certified Partner in the Microsoft Partner Program, an IBM Business Partner, an Intel Software Partner and an HP Business Partner. The company is licensed and certified by America Online(r), Microsoft and Yahoo! to inspect and archive IM traffic. 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.

For further information on the company, please visit www.akonix.com.

Contact details

Aida Causevic / Amy White

LEWIS PR for Akonix

Tel: 619 677 2700

akonix@lewispr.com

Technorati tags: Akonix | IM threats | IM security | instant messaging |

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Akonix Tracks 22 Instant Messaging Attacks During October

Executive quote

About the company

Contact details