SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- McAfee, Inc. , the pioneer and worldwide leader of intrusion prevention solutions, today announced a new Partner Security Service to provide small businesses with the latest online anti-virus security technology that automatically protects desktops and servers against malicious security threats. This service includes Web-based administration and reporting, advanced spyware detection and rapid response support from McAfee AVERT. The Web-based nature of the Partner Security Service offering reduces the partner's cost of sale, since there is no inventory to stock or shipping costs to incur.

McAfee's Partner Security Service is available through the McAfee SecurityAlliance(TM) global partner program in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and throughout Asia Pacific. It is based on the newest McAfee Managed VirusScan service technology and enables McAfee SecurityAlliance partners to offer their small business customers automated transparent protection against spyware, adware and malicious code threats such as Bagle, Netsky and Mydoom. The Partner Security Service is ideal for businesses with limited IT expertise or personnel necessary to implement and manage anti-virus solutions on-site.

"Small businesses can benefit from complete security protection and eliminate costs associated with IT staffing," said Jeffrey Leist, president at Microworx. "Offering the McAfee Partner Security Service enables us to fully manage a customer's IT infrastructure by reviewing detailed reports that identify virus attacks, vulnerable machines and other security threats. By providing this value-based service offering, we are able to service additional customers more effectively."

McAfee SecurityAlliance partners can offer current and new customers outsourced management of their security solutions; therefore alleviating the customer burden and cost of updating and maintaining their anti-virus definitions. Additionally, the offering allows for central management for substantially larger numbers of customers, significantly impacting scalability. Through the Partner Security Services, McAfee SecurityAlliance partners have the ability to improve existing customer loyalty, expand customer offerings and remotely manage a greater number of customers simultaneously, using the advanced McAfee technology provided to them free of charge.

"McAfee leads the anti-virus managed service market through its ability to offer innovative, cost-effective and automated solutions," said David Roberts, senior vice president of North American Channels for McAfee, Inc. "McAfee's Partner Security Service offering, as part of the SecurityAlliance program, is added proof that we are committed to improving partner profitability. As promised, McAfee continues to deliver offerings and services that will empower our channel partners."

McAfee Managed VirusScan

McAfee Managed VirusScan is automatic virus protection for desktops and Windows file servers. As part of the McAfee managed services portfolio, new automated feature functionalities include, but are not limited to:

-- Web-based policy configuration provides added flexibility to manage multiple customers, schedule on-demand scans, and set exclusions and manage groups. -- On-access spyware detection scans and blocks the top 200 potentially unwanted programs before execution on desktops and servers. -- An outbreak response technology provides automatic virus updates through the client within one hour of an emergency DAT posting. -- Malware protection blocks buffer overflow exploits, offers script scanning and e-mail scanning within Microsoft Outlook. -- An enhanced user-interface for the Web-based reports improves ease of use and navigation. Availability

Partner Security Service will be available with the release of Managed VirusScan on March 14, 2005.

The McAfee SecurityAlliance partner program is available in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and selected countries in Latin America and Asia Pacific. The Partner Web site is available in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. For more information about McAfee SecurityAlliance, please contact McAfee at 888-511-8301 or visit us at http://www.mcafee.com/partners.

About Microworx

Microworx, located in Rochester, New York, builds, installs, configures, and repairs computers and peripherals. Founded in 1994, Microworx is committed to providing the highest quality service and equipment to its customers. Their expertise covers all ranges of computers including printers, notebooks, desktops, workstations and servers. They perform Networking and Server Administration and Security as well as network optimization and installation home-users and small to mid-sized businesses.

About McAfee, Inc.

McAfee, Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., a worldwide leader in Intrusion Prevention and Risk Management solutions, delivers proven security products and services to help customers effectively balance the competing priorities between business needs and security requirements. McAfee applies profound security expertise toward helping companies, government agencies and consumers block attacks, prevent disruptions, and continuously track and improve the security of their systems and networks. For more information, McAfee, Inc. can be reached at 972-963-8000 or http://www.mcafee.com/.

NOTE: McAfee, SecurityAlliance and VirusScan are either registered trademarks or trademarks of McAfee, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. The color 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.

CONTACT: Lisa Campbell of McAfee, Inc., +1-972-987-2794, or
[email protected]; or Ally Zwahlen of Porter Novelli, +1-408-369-4665,
or [email protected], for McAfee, Inc.

Web site: http://www.mcafee.com/

• Check Writing Software Helps Small Businesses Battle the Recession
• New Digital Export Service Launches for Small Businesses