MEDIA ALERT: Check Point's ZoneAlarm ForceField Protects against Drive-by Download Attacks Associated with Latest Internet Explorer 7 Exploit

Check Point® Software Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq:CHKP), the worldwide leader in securing the Internet, today announced that Check Point ZoneAlarm ForceField browser security product protects consumers against the drive-by downloads associated with a newly discovered flaw in Internet Explorer 7. By placing a two-way "bubble of security" around the browser, ZoneAlarm ForceField prevents drive-by downloads, unwanted malware and other Web threats from damaging users' PCs or from stealing users' private information.

Made public a few days ago on Chinese online forums, the Internet Explorer 7 browser flaw affects users running Windows XP Service Packs 2 and 3, Windows Vista, Windows Vista Service Pack 1, Windows Server 2003 Service Packs 1 and 2, and Windows Server 2008. The attack is a typical drive-by download, where hackers infect existing Web sites - or set-up their own rogue Web sites - and then redirect or trick users into going to them. The moment the victim lands on the site, hackers slip malicious software quietly onto the victim’s computer through a flaw in the browser or a browser plug-in. The malicious software is often used to commit identity theft, and can silently steal credit card numbers, Web passwords and other sensitive data by secretly logging everything the victim types.

"When a browser exploit like this is discovered, it’s open season against consumers as hackers worldwide lure people to their sites and silently infect them with identity-stealing software the moment they arrive,” said Dorit Dor, head of development for Check Point. "It’s essential to use dedicated browser security technology that not only diverts users from malicious Web sites in the first place, but also provides additional protections should users actually land on the site. ZoneAlarm ForceField’s multi-layer security system does just that.”

Built to fight the emerging classes of browser-based attacks, ZoneAlarm ForceField includes additional security layers that augment its virtualization capability including heuristic anti-phishing, site rating, and keylogger jamming among other features. ForceField also includes an optional "Privacy Mode" that erases all personal information from the local PC after a Web browsing session to further protect consumer privacy.

ZoneAlarm ForceField integrates seamlessly with Internet Explorer or Firefox Web browsers. ForceField downloads quickly (less than 4mb) and works in conjunction with any brand of antivirus, anti-spyware, firewall and security suite product including the complete line of ZoneAlarm solutions. ZoneAlarm ForceField is PC-only compatible and supports Windows XP and Windows Vista platforms. For more information or to download ZoneAlarm ForceField visit www.zonealarm.com.

About Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (www.checkpoint.com) is the leader in securing the Internet. Check Point offers total security solutions featuring a unified gateway, single endpoint agent and single management architecture, customized to fit customers’ dynamic business needs. This combination is unique and is a result of our leadership and innovation in the enterprise firewall, personal firewall/endpoint, data security and VPN markets.

Check Point’s pure focus is on information security. Through its NGX platform, Check Point delivers a unified security architecture to protect business communications and resources, including corporate networks and applications, remote employees, branch offices and partner extranets. The company also offers market-leading endpoint and data security solutions with Check Point Endpoint Security products, protecting and encrypting sensitive corporate information stored on PCs and other mobile computing devices. Check Point's award-winning ZoneAlarm solutions protect millions of consumer PCs from hackers, spyware and identity theft. Check Point solutions are sold, integrated and serviced by a network of Check Point partners around the world and its customers include 100 percent of Fortune 100 companies and tens of thousands of businesses and organizations of all sizes.

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