Microsoft Announces Alliance With Network Associates and Trend Micro For Antivirus Collaboration Service

REDMOND, Wash., May 19, 2003 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the formation of the Virus Information Alliance (VIA) with Network Associates Inc. and Trend Micro Inc. This new program is designed to help Microsoft customers obtain timely and relevant information about the latest virus threats affecting Microsoft®
technology. The new resource for Microsoft customers addresses the need for a centralized resource of reliable information about high-risk viruses, saving customers critical time in identifying and deploying the correct preventive measures to defend against virus threats.

The alliance with Network Associates’ AVERT( (Anti-Virus Emergency Response Team) and Trend Micro TrendLabs (TM) will enable Microsoft customers to be kept informed about critical malicious code and Internet threats, including a full assessment of the threat based on the collective research results of the VIA, through a TechNet Web page located at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/virus/default.asp .

“Providing customers with timely and prescriptive security information plays a crucial role in our ability as an industry to deliver on the Trustworthy Computing vision,”
said Andy Erlandson, director of security for Product Support Services at Microsoft.
“At Microsoft, we are focused on making it easier for customers to get secure and stay secure, and we recognize the significant value that leading industry partners Network Associates and Trend Micro bring to this effort.”

As founding members in Microsoft’s VIA, Network Associates and Trend Micro will be working to help educate and protect Microsoft customers against the threat of malicious code attacks as well as emerging Internet threats. In addition, the alliance will enable Microsoft to quickly and easily refer customers to their antivirus vendor for additional information and customer support.

“As viruses and malicious code continue to be a threat to both consumers and businesses alike, it is important that customers have immediate access to information and a fix when a threat arises,”
said Vincent Gullotto, vice president of McAfee AVERT Labs at Network Associates.
“Working with Microsoft to provide its customers with a timely cure for virus outbreaks and information about threats that affect them is an important step to ensuring the integrity of their networks. The Virus Information Alliance is designed to help make that process faster and more convenient.”

“Trend Micro was pleased to have been invited to become a founding member of Microsoft’s Virus Information Alliance,”
said Steve Quane, director of Enterprise Solutions at Trend Micro.
“Our working closely with Microsoft in the early phases of a virus outbreak provides the computing community with access to timely virus information, in line with Trend Micro Enterprise Protection Strategy. In sum, Microsoft customers can benefit from Trend Micro’s expertise at providing up-to-date and authoritative threat information to help prevent outbreaks.”

Over time, the service will deliver additional customer guidance such as white papers and other online resources to help users proactively defend themselves against malicious code and other Internet-based threats. Microsoft, in alliance with virus researchers from AVERT and TrendLabs, will provide its customers with the latest VIA resources at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/virus/default.asp .

About Network Associates

With headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., Network Associates Inc. (NYSE: NET) is the leading provider of intrusion prevention solutions. Network Associates®
is comprised of three product groups: McAfee( Security, delivering world-class antivirus and security products; Sniffer( Technologies, a leader in network availability and network protection; and Magic Solutions(, a leader in innovative service management solutions. For more information, Network Associates can be reached at (972) 963-8000 or on the Internet at http://www.networkassociates.com/ .

About Trend Micro

Trend Micro Inc. (TSE: 4704, NASDAQ: TMIC) is a leader in network antivirus and Internet content security software and services. The Tokyo-based corporation has business units worldwide. Trend Micro products are sold through corporate and value-added resellers. For additional information and evaluation copies of all Trend Micro products, visit our Web site at http://www.trendmicro.com/.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.

Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.asp .

Related Posts