Monday December 15, 8:02 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: Quarterdeck Corporation
Quarterdeck's Introduction Of ViruSweep Heralds New Era In
Anti-Virus Protection For PC Market
State-Of-The-Art Software Stops Viruses Before They Damage PCs And Features
Behavior Blocking Technology To Detect And Remove All Types of Known and
Unidentified Viruses
VIRUSWEEP BENEFITS
* Blocks the destructive activities of thousands of dangerous viruses, including boot
sector, standard file, polymorphic, stealth, encrypted, multi-partite, macro, and Trojan
horse * Detects all types of unidentified viruses using advanced checksums, sophisticated
heuristic scanning and correlation analysis * Removes all types of unidentified viruses
from infected files * Fixes boot viruses without a rescue disk * Includes free monthly
virus definition updates and product upgrades via the Internet or BBS for one year
MARINA DEL REY, Calif., Dec. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- In a continuous effort to provide consumers with the highest quality,
easy-to-use PC helpware tools, Quarterdeck Corporation (Nasdaq: QDEK - news) today announced the introduction of
ViruSweep, the most comprehensive and effective virus protection software available on the market today. Certified by the
National Computer Security Association (NCSA), ViruSweep's exclusive VirusGuard technology kills viruses before they can
cause damage.
''With the continued proliferation of various computer viruses from multiple network and online sources, consumers are now
becoming more cognizant of significant file and hard drive damage from dangerous viruses,'' said Joseph Fusco, senior vice
president of products and marketing for Quarterdeck Corporation. ''As the latest addition to Quarterdeck's line of utility
software products, ViruSweep directly addresses these escalating security concerns by providing consumers with the most
comprehensive protection against known and unidentified viruses.''
''Different from competitive products which can only identify and eliminate known viruses, ViruSweep detects and removes
all types of known and unidentified viruses, and it blocks destructive virus activities,'' said Elliott Lowe, senior director of
product management for ViruSweep at Quarterdeck Corporation. ''These advanced technologies, combined with ViruSweep's
automated background monitoring and scanning and a host of other easy-to-use features, help ensure that a user's important
data is kept safe from the increasing virus threat.''
VIRUSWEEP KILLS VIRUSES BEFORE THEY DAMAGE YOUR PC
Background Scanning
ViruSweep continuously and automatically monitors a user's system in the background for all forms of dangerous viruses,
including boot sector, standard file, polymorphic, stealth, encrypted, multi-partite, macro and Trojan horse. As a result,
ViruSweep is able to stop viruses from invading a PC via Internet downloads, e-mail, floppies or over a network.
On-Demand Scanning
ViruSweep also offers the convenience of performing user-initiated virus scans whenever desired, or via ViruSweep's
integrated scan scheduler. This feature allows the user to control the exact timing of the scan, designate specific drives or
network directories to be examined, and specify certain files to be scanned, including compressed files, program files or the
master boot record. These scans can be run unattended, take automatic corrective measures if a virus is detected, and create a
log of the scan results for future review and action.
Behavior Blocking
ViruSweep's behavior blocking feature is one of the most important layers of the software's VirusGuard protection. Behavior
blocking detects virus-like activities, such as re-formatting the hard drive, modifying program files, altering file names illegally
and loading destructive code into memory, and alerts the user. Behavior blocking stops both known and unidentified viruses
from damaging a user's PC.
VIRUSWEEP DETECTS AND REMOVES ALL TYPES OF KNOWN AND UNIDENTIFIED VIRUSES
Latest Virus Definition Updates
ViruSweep has an extensive database of thousands of known virus definitions that it references when scanning a user's
system. The Quarterdeck Anti-Virus Research Center (QUARC) regularly updates this database with the latest virus
definitions, and ViruSweep's convenient Update-It feature automatically retrieves and installs these updates to keep a user's
protection current.
Detection of Unidentified Viruses
Virus protection based on definition tables alone is not enough because of the rapidly growing number of new viruses, the
speed with which they can be spread over the Internet, and the failure of most users to regularly update their anti-virus
software. ViruSweep employs advanced checksums, sophisticated heuristic scanning and correlation analysis to detect all
types of unidentified viruses.
Removal Of Known And Unidentified Viruses
When ViruSweep does detect a known or unidentified virus, it provides the user with a multitude of options, including the
ability to continue scanning without interruption, the removal of the virus from the infected file, backing up the infected file
before deleting it or cleaning it, and deleting the infected file altogether. Users may also elect to have ViruSweep add the new
virus to its database and learn how to detect it in the future, or initiate a correlation analysis, whereby ViruSweep examines a
directory containing multiple files and determines if there is a common code which would indicate that several files are
infected. ViruSweep will also display boot sector and memory information if the users suspects a virus infection, and other
means of detection have failed. ViruSweep also possesses the unique ability to remove a boot sector virus without the aid of a
rescue disk.
PRICING, AVAILABILITY AND FREE PRODUCT UPGRADES
ViruSweep, with an estimated street price of $39.95, represents an excellent value for consumers by offering a 90-day money
back guarantee and free product upgrades and virus definition updates via the Internet or BBS to registered users for one year
from the date of purchase. ViruSweep, scheduled to begin shipping later this month, will be available at major computer
software retailers, including CompUSA, Best Buy, Computer City and Fry's Electronics, as well as through Quarterdeck's
online store at quarterdeck.com.
QUARTERDECK ANTI-VIRUS RESEARCH CENTER (QUARC)
The Quarterdeck Anti-Virus Research Center (QUARC), located at quarterdeck.com, serves as an online
resource for virus information and user assistance with virus problems. QUARC is committed to data defense through rapid
response to new viruses and user needs. QUARC works to develop more effective automated tools for virus collection,
analysis, prevention, detection and removal.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
ViruSweep's minimum requirements include an IBM PC or compatible, VGA or higher resolution monitor and a CD-ROM
drive. Under Windows 95, ViruSweep requires an 80386DX or better processor, 8MB RAM and 8MB of free hard disk
space; under Windows 3.1, the software calls for an 80386 or better processor, DOS 5.0 or higher, 4MB RAM and 5MB of
free hard disk space; and under DOS, ViruSweep requires an 80386 or better processor, DOS 5.0 or higher, 2MB RAM and
3MB of free hard disk space.
ABOUT QUARTERDECK
Quarterdeck Corporation develops and markets software to help PCs work well without on-site technical support. The
products provide problem diagnosis and resolution, storage management, security protection, remote configuration and
updating, and enhanced access to PC network resources and information. The Company markets its products worldwide via
retail distribution, corporate resellers and OEMs, direct marketing channels, and the Internet. Incorporated in 1982 and traded
on Nasdaq under the symbol QDEK, Quarterdeck's worldwide headquarters are in Marina del Rey, California. Further
information may be obtained by calling 800-683-6696 toll-free or 813- 523-9700, by accessing Quarterdeck's Web site at
quarterdeck.com, or by sending e-mail requests to info@quarterdeck.com.
Quarterdeck, Virus Sweep and VirusGuard are registered trademarks of Quarterdeck Corporation or its subsidiaries.
This press release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Expressions of future goals and similar expressions reflecting something other than
historical fact are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such
statements. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including the timely development
and market acceptance of products and technologies and other factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. The actual results that the Company achieves may differ materially from any forward-looking
statements due to such risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligations to revise or update any
forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.
SOURCE: Quarterdeck Corporation |
