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September Instant Messaging Client Vulnerabilities Emphasize Need to Manage Corporate IM Use

Akonix's Threat Center tracks 33 IM attacks

San Diego, CA - September 28, 2007

San Diego, CA - September 28, 2007 - Akonix Systems, Inc., provider of the most deployed instant messaging (IM) security and compliance products in the world, today announced its IM Security Center researchers tracked 33 malicious code attacks over IM networks during the month of September, bringing the 2007 total to 297. This is a 20% increase in IM threats compared with the same time period last year.

New IM worms identified include Agent-GCG, Ataxbot, Exploit-VcardGadget, Focelto, MSNFunny, IMBot, MsnSend, MSN-WhoBlocked, Neeris, Pykse, Skipi, STRATION and Yalove. IRCBot was the most common with four variants, followed by Imaut and Neeris with two, respectively. Akonix tracked 16 attacks on P2P networks, such as Kazaa and eDonkey.

During September, Akonix security analysts issued nine 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 September 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

"The ongoing trend in malicious code attacks and several new vulnerabilities uncovered this month on public IM networks emphasize the urgent need for effective policy and risk management for use of IM in the workplace," said Don Montgomery, VP of marketing at Akonix. "As the role of real-time, presence-based applications continues to increase, IM is becoming the foundation of corporate desktops. Organizations need to ensure they secure and manage IM as they implement revolutionary new unified communications technologies."

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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 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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