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Satellite Safe Europe

Space-age technology delivers instant immunisation' against computer virus infection 

A revolutionary new satellite anti-virus service promises to prevent the spread of malicious viruses across the globe 

7th September 2000 - Satellite Safe Europe today announces the availability of a radical new anti-virus service. Developed in South Africa and called 'Full Stop', the system is unique in being able to broadcast anti-virus protection in real-time, instantly protecting computer networks and preventing the spread of malicious code across the globe. 

Satellite Safe uses a satellite to broadcast virus alerts and 'patches' ( the actual solution to a virus) into computer networks anywhere in the world. The broadcasts are released as soon as a new virus is discovered. This unique method overcomes current problems of delivery speed and security. 

Traditional update methods mean users have to be connected to the Internet and administrators are required to physically update anti-virus software. Automatic updates through the Internet have proved to be slow and unreliable, with websites that distribute updates often crashing at times of especially high demand. Satellite- borne updating can be performed remotely, rapidly and simultaneously to multiple users. It can also be set up so no user-intervention is required. This means protection is instant and a virus is unable to spread, preventing future virus outbreaks, like 1 Love You' and 'Melissa', affecting networks with 'Full Stop' protection. 

Space-age technology delivers instant 'immunisation' against computer virus infection lan Melamed, chief technical officer of Satellite Safe, is also a member of the South African Law Commission project on computer related crimes and African representative at INTERPOL on computer related crime. Melamed emphasises the importance of strong virus protection, "E-commerce demands availability, deliverability and immediacy. Anything that prevents this has become the single biggest threat to e-commerce today and with a few hundred new viruses appearing every week, businesses just cannot afford to leave their networks open to attack."

With the rapid proliferation of viruses over the past few years, companies are entirely reliant on continual anti-virus software updates to keep their information protected against the latest forms of malicious code. The urgent need for faster technologies and methodologies is clearly demonstrated by the speed at which the 1 Love You' virus travelled and its international cost of US$10 billion in network downtime and loss of information. 

"The system of receiving virus pattern updates by satellite is at the forefront of the struggle against computer viruses," says Melamed. "There's nothing faster than satellite to broadcast the fix for a virus before it can spread. While this can never prevent the initiation of a virus, it narrows the window of opportunity to cause damage by preventing its dissemination. The quicker the detection and protection, the less damage can occur in the e-commerce environment. 

"Satellite Safe offers an unbeatable solution for real-time virus protection. We are very excited about being able to offer this product to European markets and can see that a system like this will be welcomed by all - particularly those affected by a virus in recent months."

Editorial Information 

Once a basic anti-virus package has been installed in a network, 'Full Stop' is able to manage all necessary updates and deliver the protection via satellite within seconds. 

The fully automated system: 

• Newly discovered e-mail viruses are detected, blocked and deleted through the use of the customer's existing e-mail filtering programs. 
• Detection strings that identify and block malicious code are immediately broadcast as they are discovered for integration into the e-mail filtering programs. 
• Anti-virus updates are sent out as soon as they are released by anti-virus vendors. 

From a single broadcast, Satellite Safe can automatically distribute the anti-virus updates to all the LAN or WAN connected servers and workstations within a company, providing the fastest anti-virus software distribution possible. 'Full Stop' is available from Satellite Safe now. Prices start at £1.50 per user with corporate discounts available. 

About Satellite Safe Europe 

Satellite Safe Europe was formed to provide the ultimate in delivery of computer security and technology support. Its mission is to design, implement and maintain secure IT systems, based on SABS and International Standards. 

Satellite Safe 
1 The Harlequin Centre 
Southall Lane 
Southall 
Middlesex 
UB25NH 
Tel: 020 8606 9990 
Fax: 020 8574 9294  

About lan Melamed 

As well as being chief technical officer of Satellite Safe Europe and Satellite Safe South Africa, lan Melamed is also a member of the South African Law Commission project on computer related crimes and African representative at INTERPOL on computer related crime, lan emphasises the importance of strong virus protection, "E-commerce demands availability, deliverability and immediacy. Denial of service has become the single biggest threat to e-commerce today and, with a few hundred new viruses appearing every week, businesses just can not afford to leave their networks open to attack."