Released on: May 6, 2008, 9:54 am

Press Release Author: Comodo Group

Industry: Software

Press Release Summary: Latest Microsoft Research reports a 300% increase in Trojan
Horse attacks, suggesting a shift in the threat model exposing end users to more ID
theft and other PC vulnerabilities

Press Release Body: New Jersey, NJ (May 06, 2008) - A recent Microsoft report
outlines an alarming trend reflecting a significant increase in the number of
Trojans being launched, posing new threats to consumers\' computers, privacy and
identities. As this report explains, the threat model is evolving from just viruses
to include a large number of Trojans that are harmful because they are more
difficult to detect by anti-virus software. In response to these trends, Comodo
today announced new consumer protections that are available to protect against this
constantly changing threat landscape. Comodo Firewall Pro Plus helps address these
types of threats with dual protection - Comodo\'s award winning firewall to prevent
even the latest Trojan attacks and extra expert support in case some future ID
stealing malware does get on a PC. This Microsoft study, (The Security Intelligence
Report covering the period of July through December 2007), outlined how Trojans have
\"... become a tool of choice for attackers\" who continue to undermine the consumers\'
ability to keep their PCs and sensitive information safe from ID thieves.
Background on Trojans

Trojan horses are malicious security-breaking programs that disguise themselves as a
harmless program. Hackers use Trojan horse programs to evade protection systems and
allow unauthorized access to a user\'s computer. Typically, a Trojan hides its
malicious activity behind the friendly façade of a normal looking program such as a
free game, song, screen saver, movie clipping or email attachment. Once installed
and running, the program continues to appear innocuous but is actually also running
background processes designed to steal confidential data such as the victim\'s credit
card numbers.

Trojans are particularly harmful as they are designed to be transparent to end users
while independently executing harmful code such as:

* Allowing total remote access to a computer by a third party, revealing
personal, financial and other information
* Erasing or overwriting data
* Corrupting files
* Upload/downloading files without the user\'s consent
* Deactivating or interfere with anti-virus programs
* Sending false security alerts driving users to buy vapor software
* Displaying excessive popup advertisements

Trojans are now often delivered via \"drive by downloads\" where Trojans are injected
into a computer simply when a visitor comes to a site. Ease of distribution makes
Trojans particularly difficult for consumers to protect against and attractive to
hackers. In fact, the study confirms that \"malicious software has become an
established tool used by skilled criminals to target millions of computer users
worldwide in pursuit of profit.\" Comodo Firewall Pro Plus\'s new approach gives users
better PC security against today\'s and tomorrow\'s threats.
Comodo Firewall Pro Plus Includes:

* Comodo Firewall Pro software - an award winning firewall earning a PC Magazine
Editor\'s Choice
* Around-the-clock, remote 24/7 support with Comodo certified experts to restore
a PC to working order should it become infected with a Trojan or other malicious
program

\"We see more and more malware being released by hackers everyday, and we wanted to
create a solution that will protect users no matter what,\" said Melih Abdulhayoglu,
CEO and Chief Security Architect of Comodo. \"Comodo Firewall Pro Plus gives a user
protection against today\'s - and tomorrow\'s - threats.\"

For more information on Comodo Firewall Pro, visit:
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/avsmart/a-vsmart_warranty.html

Web Site: http://www.comodo.com

Contact Details: +1 888 266 6361
media-relations@comodo.com