Proxy Technology Prevents Known and Unknown Spyware at the Gateway; SCOPE Engine Utilizes 10 Methods of Spyware Prevention with Automatic Updates

Dubai, Apr. 26th, 2005: Blue Coat Systems Middle East, a leading provider of proxy appliances, today introduced Spyware Interceptor, built to be the industry's most effective anti-spyware appliance for networks with 1,000 users or less.

Spyware Interceptor is built on Blue Coat's proxy technology, and will come in an easy-to-deploy and affordable appliance form-factor. The appliance utilizes SCOPE (Spyware Catching Object Protection Engine) technology to prevent both known and unknown forms of spyware at the gateway, which uniquely allows access to legitimate Web applications and the ability to safely view spyware-laden Web sites without becoming infected. The spyware prevention capabilities in Spyware Interceptor are derived from Blue Coat's enterprise focused ProxySG solution. Both Spyware Interceptor for smaller networks and ProxySG for larger networks allow IT administrators to minimize futile cycles using ineffective spyware cleaners.

"Spyware can end up impacting small and medium size networks more than larger networks, with less IT financing and fewer IT staff to service the problem," said Brian Burke, Internet security research analyst for IDC.  "Blue Coat is continuing advancements in the anti-spyware market by packaging up its proxy-based approach to spyware prevention into a point-and-click, inexpensive appliance for smaller businesses.  Many small and medium size organizations will be hard-pressed to ignore this well-priced offering."

The Spyware Interceptor with SCOPE technology utilizes 10 different methods for preventing known and unknown spyware at the gateway. 

1. Admin-Defined "White List"

2. Admin-Defined "Black List"

3. Known Spyware Sites

4. True File-Type Identification

5. Strips Unauthorized Executables

6. Strips Unauthorized "Drive-By" Installers

7. Strips Unauthorized Active Content

8. Advanced Port Monitoring

9. Automatic Policy Updates

10.Blocks Spyware from "Phoning Home"

The appliance and SCOPE engine are backed by the leading experts in Web proxy control and security at Blue Coat Labs, who operate around the clock to track malicious Web sites, spyware, nuisance-ware, and other potential sources of security threats. Blue Coat Labs evaluates thousands of potential spyware sources each day in an effort to keep the SCOPE engine constantly updated with advanced spyware profiles, policies and protection techniques.

"Spyware prevention is not possible with desktop software alone - organizations require a gateway solution based on an advanced Web proxy architecture to be effective," said Ray Kafity, general manager of Blue Coat Middle East. "Spyware Interceptor is the first and only proxy-based anti-spyware appliance that is designed to be easy, effective and affordable. It utilizes Blue Coat's proven anti-spyware technology with point-and-click policy settings, an installation wizard and an optimized hardware platform to deliver unparalleled protection and value to networks with 1,000 users or less."

Pricing and Availability

Blue Coat's new Spyware Interceptor is currently scheduled to be available on May 31, 2005 in North American and Europe through Blue Coat reseller partners.  Pricing for the Spyware Interceptor starts at $2,295 and requires an annual license subscription based on the number of computers being supported, which starts at $695 for 100 computers.  The subscription includes SCOPE engine updates, continuous spyware profile updates and Blue Coat's policy optimization service backed by Blue Coat Labs.

-Ends-

About Blue Coat:
Blue Coat enables organizations to keep "good" employees from doing "bad" things on the Internet. Blue Coat wire-speed proxy appliances provide total visibility and control of Web communications to address today's new business risks - such as inappropriate Web surfing, viruses brought in via back door channels such as instant messaging and Web-based email, and network resource abuse due to peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing and video streaming. Trusted by many of the world's most influential organizations, Blue Coat has shipped more than 18,000 proxy appliances. Blue Coat is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, and can be reached at (408) 220-2200 or www.bluecoat.com.

For more information, please contact:
Blue Coat
Dubai Internet City,
Cannon building 9, office 313
P.O. Box 72377
Dubai
UAE
Tel: (971-4) 391-1620
FAX: (971-4) 391-1635
E-mail: luqmanmc@eim.ae

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© Press Release 2005