Network Security Leader Astaro Introduces Version 6 of Astaro Security Linux

BURLINGTON, Mass., June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Astaro Corporation today released the latest version of its award-winning Astaro Security Linux Unified Threat Management software. The new version adds improved protection for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications, increased protection from "zero-day attacks," enhanced configuration options, and support for the Linux 2.6 Kernel.

Astaro Security Linux 6.0 is a comprehensive, seven-in-one network security software package that provides a suite of tools -- all managed from a single, intuitive management interface -- including firewall, virus protection, intrusion protection, spam protection, spyware protection, surf protection (content filtering) and VPN.

"We have successfully implemented Astaro Security Linux at many of our credit union client sites, where security is of the highest priority," said Todd Allison, senior network security analyst for Integrasys, a business unit of Fiserv. "We know and our clients know that Astaro is keeping their data secure, providing peace-of-mind to their members. The new features and functionality of Version 6.0 make the value proposition of using Astaro's solutions that much more compelling."

"Businesses, schools and government agencies demand that their security solution providers innovate constantly to keep them ahead of ever-shifting threats to their networks," said Jan Hichert, CEO of Astaro. "Version 6.0 of Astaro Security Linux improves on our already robust technology while maintaining the cost effective, easy-to-manage profile that our customers have come to expect from our products." What's New in Astaro Security Linux 6.0

Astaro Security Linux offers customers several new features and refinements that enhance security and increase performance, including: Linux Kernel 2.6 -- Astaro Security Linux 6.0 utilizes the new Linux Kernel 2.6, which provides higher performance and an increased number of concurrent users especially for applications, processing the content at an application-level, such as intrusion protection, anti-virus and content filtering. The 2.6 Kernel also supports new hardware and devices, giving Astaro's customers a wider choice of platforms. SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) Proxy -- The SIP Proxy increases flexibility, security and performance when supporting Voice over IP (VoIP) communications. SIP software and hardware clients (including SIP-compatible VoIP phones) can work behind an IP masquerading firewall or NAT router. Anomaly-Based Intrusion Protection -- In addition to a large database of intrusion threat signatures, Astaro's Intrusion Protection application now includes a stronger barrier against "zero-day-attacks." These are malicious threats that attack enterprise networks before signatures have been developed. To guard against these attacks, Astaro Security Linux monitors the behavior of "normal" traffic via statistical and heuristic analysis and identifies anomalies that indicate a possible new attack, for example, new services, previously unseen hosts, and unusual amounts of traffic. Transparent Firewall Mode -- To allow seamless integration into existing networks, Astaro Security Linux can now be installed in transparent (bridge) mode, eliminating the need to reconfigure IP space from currently assigned addresses. Time-Based Packet Filter and Surf Protection -- Packet and URL filters can now be configured for specified time periods, for example to allow a specific group access to specific servers only from Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. This dramatically increases the flexibility to implement a fine- grained security policy, Policy-Based Routing -- In addition to normal routing, which is based on the destination IP address, traffic can now be forwarded based on source IP address, source and destination port. With this feature traffic can be spread over multiple Internet uplinks to improve application performance and use of bandwidth and to control costs. Enhanced Integration with Novell(R) eDirectory(TM) -- Version 6.0 of Astaro Security Linux provides enhanced integration with Novell eDirectory for highly configurable and customizable identity management and remote access security. Availability and Pricing

Astaro Security Linux V6 software will be available on July 1, 2005. The software will also be available on the Astaro Security Gateway line of appliances beginning in mid-July. Pricing starts at $330 for a base license for 10 users. The Astaro Security Gateway line of appliances starts at $695 for the Model 110. Customers with Astaro Security Linux V5 and a valid Maintenance agreement can upgrade to V6 at no cost. About Astaro's Products

Astaro develops a complete line of network security products including Astaro Security Linux, a software-based solution and Astaro Security Gateway, a line of standalone appliances. All Astaro products can provide up to seven critical security applications -- fully integrated on a single management platform including: * Firewall -- with stateful packet inspection and application proxies

guards Internet communications traffic in and out of the organization.

* Virtual Private Network (VPN) gateway - assures secure communications

with remote offices, "road warriors," and telecommuters.

* Virus Protection - defends computers from both email and web-borne

viruses.

* Intrusion Protection - detects and stops hostile probes and

application-based attacks.

* Spam Protection - eliminates the productivity drain of opening and

deleting unsolicited emails.

* Surf Protection (Content Filtering) - improves productivity by blocking

inappropriate activities on the web.

* Spyware Protection - detects and blocks spyware infection attempts as

well as spyware communication from already infected systems About Astaro -- http://www.astaro.com

Astaro Corporation is headquartered in Burlington, Mass. and Karlsruhe, Germany. Astaro's software has won numerous industry awards, and is protecting over 20,000 networks in 60 countries, including such companies as Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Los Alamos National Labs, Stanford University and Watsco, Inc. Astaro products are distributed by a worldwide network of 350 solutions partners who offer local support and services.