MEDIA ALERT: Focus on Stuxnet Worm

FAIRFAX, Va., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Norman ASA, a leading global network security company, announced today that Norman Network Protection (NNP), an antimalware network appliance used as a gateway or inside a LAN, is an effective first line of defense against the spreading Stuxnet worm variants of malicious software.

Norman's NNP has been verified by independent labs to improve network security up to 38% when used in conjunction with a range of endpoint protection products.

Stuxnet has been a hot topic in security during 2010 and remains so with the ability to exploit four zero-day vulnerabilities. Stuxnet has been successful in targeting industrial operations around the world using SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems. To date Stuxnet has spread from computer to computer via USB memory sticks and through copying itself to new networks protected by weak passwords.

Stuxnet, which comes with a rootkit, could be used by cyber criminals or a hostile nation state to disrupt operations in power plant, chemical manufacturing and other critical industrial systems.

"Malware appliances typically focus on the gateway, but increasingly threats are introduced by internal mobile devices, such as USB devices and laptop PCs," said Arvid Gomez, vice president, OEM and Technology.  "The ultrafast Norman NNP appliance uses sophisticated malware detection and analysis technology to provide a real-time protection wherever the threat surfaces. And NNP delivers significant risk reduction at fraction of the cost of comparable appliances."

The Norman NNP network security appliance offers significant additional security protection – potentially doubling security performance as measured by lab tests.  NNP provides a critical additional layer of protection against network threats which endpoint products may miss.

The full report on NNP performance can be found at www.nsslabs.com/anti-malware/normannp.

The NNP Appliance supports Gigabit Ethernet capacity on multiple protocols and delivers high-performance inbound and outbound real-time scans of Microsoft® Windows® file sharing protocols and HTTP, FTP, SMTP, POP3, RPC, TFTP and IRC.

About Norman ASA

Founded in Norway in 1984, Norman ASA is a global leader and pioneer in proactive content security solutions and forensics malware tools. Norman's proactive antimalware solutions, including malware analysis tools, network security and endpoint protection, are powered by patented Norman SandBox® technology and used by security solutions providers around the world.

Norman's unified core antimalware protection for clients, servers and network security are delivered as products and services designed to protect business communications and resources, including corporate and government networks and applications, remote employees, branch offices and extranets. Norman's solutions are available through Norman subsidiaries and a network of global partners. For more information, visit www.norman.com.

SOURCE Norman ASA