Panda Software Reports 90% of Companies' Computers Are Infected With Spyware

Panda Software Reports 90% of Companies Computers Are Infected With Spyware Glendale, CA - March 30, 2005 - Spyware is one of the most common security risks for corporations. It directly affects user privacy and is one of the main reasons why users call internal technical support centers. Recently, Panda Software updated its free online antivirus scan and repair solution “Panda ActiveScan” to also detect spyware. Since the update the data collected by Panda Software shows that 84 percent of the malware now found installed on computers is spyware. This results appear to be similar to a recent report compiled by the companies Webroot and Earthlink showing that 9 in 10 computers were found to have spyware. This means that 90 percent of computers are affected by this type of malware. What’s more, an average of 25 spyware programs were installed on the computers studied. Spyware refers to IT programs that collect personal information about users without their consent, such as the software stored on an individual’s computer, Internet browsing habits, pages visited, etc. This information is transmitted to third parties for a variety of purposes that could also be for criminal intent. “Traditional antivirus solutions do not detect or remove Spyware infestations.  Spyware is installed by many different methods and the infection is not usually visible to the user.  These factors increase the infection rate for this type of malware,” said Patrick Hinojosa, CTO, Panda Software US. This type of malware could pose the largest threats to business not only from the risk of user privacy, but also due to the high internal support costs spyware generates while causing instability and performance problems caused in company computers. PANDA SOFTWARE’S ANTI-SPYWARE TECHNOLOGY Panda Software’s solutions incorporate technologies to detect and clean spyware. What’s more, they also contain TruPrevent™ Technologies, developed by Panda Software to detect new and unknown malware using a set of pro-active technologies. These technologies have been capable of detecting over a thousand unknown spyware programs since they were launched in August 2004.” Also, Panda Software has launched the new version of its online solution Panda ActiveScan, (available at www.pandasoftware.com), which as well as detecting and eliminating viruses, worms and Trojans, now also efficiently detects spyware. ABOUT PANDA SOFTWARE Panda Software is a leading developer of IT security solutions for all types of users, with offices in 50 countries worldwide. One the fastest growing companies in the sector, Panda Software is also a recognized leader in providing innovative products and services to help it achieve its mission: to keep its customers’ IT systems free from malware and other threats at the lowest possible TCO. The company’s unique TruPrevent™ Technologies, the most intelligent technologies to combat unknown viruses and intruders, offer unrivalled preventive protection for all types of clients: from the largest corporations through small and medium-sized companies to home users. For more information and evaluation versions of all Panda Software solutions, visit our website at: http://www.pandasoftware.com/ For more information: Alan Wallace [email protected] Tel. (818) 240-4101