esolutions' Safecom already protecting customers

Media release 24 January 2001

esolutions' Safecom already protecting customers from latest Melissa virus

esolutions' Safecom network security service is already protecting customers against the latest version of the Melissa virus, while major anti-virus companies are still working to make new definitions available.

Software engineers at esolutions have set up filters on the Safecom secure network environment to block the virus using message characteristics. Blocked messages and their attachments are quarantined until customers can decide how they want to handle them.

Murray Goodman, portfolio manager for assured communications, said that while the filters had yet to catch any messages with Melissa-infected attachments, the Safecom service is read for them.

"If this one spreads as quickly as the original, we need to have our guard up before rather than after it arrives," he said.

"This is another example of how the Safecom environment safeguards customers' networks from this type of threat."

"We have systems in place for most Safecom customers to prevent infection from other previously unknown viruses."

The new variant of Melissa which appeared last week in Europe is not recognised by anti-virus scanning programs which were effective against the original virus.

This is because the new variant, Melissa W, is in a new format, Word 2001 for the Macintosh. The virus can create files which are also readable by Intel-based PCs, widening the threat to all computer users connected to the Internet.

Almost two years ago the original Melissa virus spread through the e-mail servers world wide, its macro mailing itself as an attachment to the first 50 listings in users' email address books.

The resulting increase in email and file storage requirements overloaded corporate and ISP servers in many parts of the world.

ABOUT ESOLUTIONS esolutions is a unique ecommerce alliance supported by the combined strengths of Telecom NZ, EDS and Microsoft. Its packages are designed to meet the needs of business of all sizes and complexities at any stage of their online development.

It has over nine products in the market and several more in development. These include: New ways to become secure and accessible - Managed Network Services including Safecom New ways to communicate - eFax, Web Hosting and WebLaunchPad New ways to do what you do everyday - eOffice, Office Online, NettPay New ways to interact with other businesses - BusinessXchange including eProcurement New ways to own your own marketplace - also in development

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Knightly, Manager, Consultus New Zealand Phone (09) 9131 833 or mobile (021) 656 03

Sue McCarty, Brand Manager, esolutions Phone (09) 363 4758 or mobile (025) 931 854

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