New, free tool helps protect consumers and businesses

Dubai, U.A.E 29th July, 2007 - McAfee, Inc. today released 'Rootkit Detective,' a new, free tool to help computer users clean their machines of increasingly prevalent hidden malicious code known as rootkits.

Cybercrooks use rootkits to hide other nefarious programs on compromised PCs. The number of rootkits hit 3,284 last year and has already more doubled in the first half this year to 7,325. Since the initial trial release of Rootkit Detective in January the application has been downloaded over 110,000 times.

"Rootkit Detective offers the most comprehensive rootkit detection capabilities available today," said Patrick Hayati Regional Director McAfee. "We have achieved extremely high levels of accuracy, using various techniques to find anything that hides itself on a computer."

Malicious rootkits are sold on underground online markets. Some hackers even create custom rootkits for payment. Often the software is used to hide a backdoor on a computer that lets miscreants enter surreptitiously. Typically a rootkit arrives in a Trojan horse or via malicious download. Some adware makers use rootkits to cover up their software.

Rootkit Detective was developed by Avert Labs, McAfee's top-ranked global security threat and research organization. It is a powerful tool that lets computer users look under the hood of their PC operating system and could be used, for example, when there are signs of a compromise, such as a sudden slowdown or suspicious network activity.

Rootkit Detective uncovers hidden processes, registry entries and files and lets users safely remove or disable them upon system reboot. In addition, Rootkit Detective can scan the integrity of a PC's kernel memory and display any modification, which may also point to a system compromise.

Using Rootkit Detective, consumers and businesses can submit samples to Avert Labs. After analyses, a signature for the rootkit is created and added to McAfee's client security products for enhanced rootkits detection and protection capabilities.

Rootkit Detective is available at: http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/rkstinger.aspx

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About McAfee Avert Labs
McAfee Avert Labs maintains a top-ranked global security threat and research organization, employing researchers in 16 countries around the globe. The Labs combine world-class malicious-code and anti-virus research with intrusion prevention and vulnerability research expertise.

About McAfee, Inc.
McAfee, Inc. is the leading dedicated security technology company. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, McAfee delivers proactive and proven solutions and services that secure systems and networks around the world. With its unmatched security expertise and commitment to innovation, McAfee empowers home users, businesses, the public sector, and service providers with the ability to block attacks, prevent disruptions, and continuously track and improve their security. http://www.mcafee.com

NOTE: McAfee and Avert are registered trademarks of McAfee, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. McAfee Red in connection with security is distinctive of McAfee-brand products. All other registered and unregistered trademarks herein are the sole property of their respective owners. 2007 McAfee, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

For media enquiries please contact:
Patrick Hayati,
Regional Director,
Middle East
McAfee
E-mail: patrick_hayati@mcafee.com
Tel: 04-391 5460

Sawsan Ghanem,
PR Consultant
Tel : 04-390 0228
E-mail : sawsan@activepr.biz

Farah Shmeissem,
PR Consultant
Tel : 04-360 2440
E-mail: farah@activepr.biz

Press Release 2007