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WatchGuard Helps Protect Apple Users from Latest Java Exploit

WatchGuard Firebox X Appliances Help Neutralize Danger from Infected or Malicious Web Pages

Seattle, WA - December 14, 2007. WatchGuard® Technologies, a global provider of network security solutions, today announced that its current line of WatchGuard Firebox X Core and Peak network security appliances helps to neutralize the latest Java security risk for Mac OS X 10.4.x users.

WatchGuard customers are protected from the most common form of vulnerability – infection or attack by way of a malicious web page – because WatchGuard mitigates this type of vulnerability by way of its Application Proxy technology, which is embedded in all current WatchGuard Firebox X network security appliances.

Application Proxy technology re-routes HTTP traffic (web traffic) through an application-layer proxy. This proxy separates user web traffic from the web-source, and by doing so, allows the WatchGuard Firebox X appliance to inspect web-based traffic, neutralize and protect against this type of exploit.

"Unlike deep packet inspection firewalls, which only examine lower layers of data packets, an application proxy can actively inspect and mitigate malicious code right at the application layer," said Eric Aarrestad, Vice President of Marketing at WatchGuard. "When activated, the application proxy function in WatchGuard Firebox X solutions can detect and deter this type of web-based, application-layer attack before it can turn into something more severe."

WatchGuard acknowledges that other vectors of this Java exploit, such as from e-mail or FTP, could exist. WatchGuard recommends that users download Java Release 6 for Mac OS X 10.4 as proscribed by Apple.

WatchGuard Application Proxy Technology Provides Complete and Holistic Security
All WatchGuard Firebox X network security solutions utilize Application Proxy firewall technology, which is fundamentally more secure than appliances that rely on packet filtering alone. Packet filtering only inspects the bottom three-to-four layers of the OSI communication model (physical, datalink, network and transport), leaving several layers, including layer-7, the application layer, vulnerable to exploitation. By enforcing deep packet inspection in concert with Application Proxy firewall technology, WatchGuard Firebox X appliances inspect all seven layers of the OSI model, thus providing unmatched, holistic network security.

About WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.
Since 1996, WatchGuard® Technologies, Inc. has been the advanced technology leader of network security solutions, providing mission-critical security to hundreds of thousands of businesses worldwide. The WatchGuard Firebox® X family of wired and wireless threat management appliances provide extensible network security, in-depth analysis, and unparalleled network visibility, management and control. WatchGuard products are backed by WatchGuard LiveSecurity® Service, an innovative support, maintenance, and education program. WatchGuard is headquartered in Seattle and has offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. To learn more, visit www.watchguard.com.

WatchGuard, Firebox, and LiveSecurity are registered trademarks of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. All other marks are property of their respective owners.