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Panda Software Tops Reaction Time For New Viruses • A University of Hamburg survey saw Panda Software achieve one of the fastest reaction times in the industry • Panda Software’s average response time providing a solution for a new virus was 2 hours 20 minutes • This new and challenging environment created by the constant evolution of viruses has prompted Panda Software to launch the new TruPrevent Technologies which can detect and block new unknown viruses and intruders Glendale, CA - August 26, 2004 - Panda Software, one of the leading developers of virus and intrusion prevention solutions, has achieved one of the shortest reaction times in the industry, according to an independent test carried out by the laboratory at the University of Hamburg, Germany, AV-Test (www.av-test.de), and published in the German c't magazine (#8 2004). The survey, which looked at the response to 16 variants of the Bagle, MyDoom and Netsky viruses between January and March 2004, concluded that Panda Software had offered a solution in half the time it took some of its competitors to respond. On average, the company provided its clients with the corresponding vaccine in 2 hours and 20 minutes. The hard work of PandaLabs under the direction of Luis Corrons has paid off and had helped Panda Software become one of the most efficient and fastest reacting companies to protect and provide computer users with the best tools against the Internet threats. “Our main goal at Panda Labs is to get - in the shortest period of time – the detection and disinfection routines that will block and eliminate new malware threats in order to protect in a fast and efficient way for users’ computers. In addition, we also provide a very fast response when our customers send suspect files as well as updating our Virus Encyclopedia to provide internet users the latest information about new malware”, said Luis Corrons (head of Panda Labs). Working in PandaLabs provides a real challenge with millions of users depending upon round the clock teams to protect users from infections from new malware (which now can appear around the globe almost immediately). The results of this AV-Test truly show the results of the efforts of this team. Panda Software constantly aims to increase its reaction time and ability to provide customer protection with its solutions. Our solutions have lead the way with features such as true daily updates that make sure you are always working with the latest updates and software every time you use your computer. It is with the introduction of its TruPREVENT Technologies Panda Software is the first to deliveri what the industry has demanded of antivirus company’s for years, the ability to detect unknown viruses and threats. TruPrevent Technologies, released earlier this month, will be incorporated in all of Panda Software’s 2005 solutions, including those for consumer, small business and Entertprise. “We are very pleased to see the results of Panda’s efforts to provide the very best protection for our users. As we introduce our new technologies, TruPREVENT’S proven detection of unknown worms and trojans is already showing strong benefits for our users. We have more features that will be included with the technology when the new solutions are launched in the coming months but our goal is to provide the very best and immediate protection against all security threats and with TruPREVENT Panda is clearly taking the lead in the market”, said Patrick Hinijosa CTO Panda Software US. PandaLabs: key points of Panda Software’s laboratory PandaLabs is Panda Software’s laboratory and is charged with reacting rapidly to any new threat and providing clients with a solution. It is run by a team of experts that works round the clock, all year round seeking out new damaging applications and developing, as rapidly as possible, the antidotes needed to keep users’ computers out of the reach of these threats. The PandaLabs team is supported by the international technical support network that Panda Software has implemented worldwide. Its main tasks include: - Reception of suspicious file through multiple channels: worldwide network of sensors, incidents and inquiries, industry forums, etc. - Analysis. After receiving files which, due to their characteristics or behavior, could pose a threat to computers, PandaLabs technicians study and analyze their content. This is done using inverse engineering, i.e. disassembling the code to find out the actions it carries out, how it behaves, its infection potential… According to Luis Corrons, the head of PandaLabs: “This is the most complicated phase of the process, since it is often hard to identify whether an item is dangerous or not, as a certain program can be perfectly legitimate, even though it monitors the system.” Of all the incidents and suspicious programs received by Panda Software every day, only two percent actually pose a real threat. - Detection and disinfection. If a suspicious program is considered a threat after it has been analyzed, PandaLabs works on the most reliable method for detecting and disinfecting it in a real environment. To do this, they set the virus loose in a computer and track its behavior, then, they generate the corresponding antidote. The vaccine incorporates an identifier for the virus -which is known as its signature-, and the routine for disinfecting it. When this process is complete, the antidote is automatically incorporated into Panda Software’s solutions so that it is available to all users via the Internet. On average, as highlighted by the recent independent survey, it takes 2 hours 20 minutes from the receipt of the dangerous code to the publication of the antidote. Panda Software was the pioneer of the concept of antivirus protection as a customer service, and was the first to provide 24 hour – 365 day tech support and daily updates. “At the moment, this concept is even more important, as malware poses a greater threat due to its capacity to spread wider and more rapidly across networks and systems worldwide,” explains Corrons About Panda Software Panda Software (http://www.pandasoftware.com/), a world leader in virus and intrusion prevention, offers unrivalled proactive security solutions for all types of users, from the largest corporations through small and medium- sized companies to home users. Its corporate products offer hassle-free automatic and centralized administration and provide network-wide protection, via multi-layer security technology, to ensure uniform protection across the enterprise, from remote users and workstations to mail gateways and internal and perimeter servers. Panda Software's solutions have received awards and quality certifications from the sector's most widely-respected organizations, including ICSA Labs and Checkmark and its commitment to customer service, innovative products, and the pioneering concept of 24h-365d tech support have revolutionized the IT security industry. For More Information: Alan Wallace VP, Corporate Communications US Panda Software