Blue Coat Introduces Spyware Interceptor – First and only Proxy-Based Anti-Spyware Appliance for 1,000 users or less

April 25, 2005 – Blue Coat Systems, a leading provider of proxy appliances, today introduced Spyware Interceptorâ„?, 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 is an easy-to-deploy appliance.” The appliance utilises SCOPEâ„? (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 ProxySGâ„? solution.” Both Spyware Interceptor for smaller networks and ProxySG for larger networks allow IT administrators to minimise 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 organisations will be hard-pressed to ignore this well-priced offering.”

The Spyware Interceptor with SCOPE technology utilises 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 Unauthorised Executables
6. Strips Unauthorised “Drive-By” Installers
7. Strips Unauthorised 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 Labsâ„?, 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 – organisations require a gateway solution based on an advanced web proxy architecture to be effective,” said Nigel Hawthorn, European marketing director for Blue Coat.” “Spyware Interceptor is the first and only proxy-based anti-spyware appliance that is designed to be easy, effective and affordable.” It utilises Blue Coat’s proven anti-spyware technology with point-and-click policy settings, an installation wizard and an optimised 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 below “2,000 and requires an annual license subscription based on the number of computers being supported, which starts at “500 for 100 computers.” The subscription includes SCOPE engine updates, continuous spyware profile updates and Blue Coat’s policy optimisation service backed by Blue Coat Labs.”

The Spyware Interceptor appliance will be on display in the Blue Coat booth during the Infosecurity conference in London from April 26-28 [Stand 5120], as well as the NetWorldSM+Interop” conference in Las Vegas from May 3-5.” For more information, please visit www.bluecoat.com or call 0800 085 2356.

About Blue Coat Systems

Blue Coat (Nasdaq: BCSI), enables organisations to keep “good” employees from doing “bad” things on the Internet.” Blue Coat wire-speed proxy appliances provide 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 organisations, Blue Coat has shipped more than 18,000 proxy appliances.” Blue Coat is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, and can be reached in the UK 0800 085 2356 or www.bluecoat.com