MyDoom Not a Threat to Everyone

PHOENIX, AZ--(MARKET WIRE)--Jan 30, 2004 -- CrystalTech Web Hosting Inc, a Microsoft Windows-based web host located in Phoenix, Arizona, announced that it has effectively eliminated the threat of the MyDoom virus for over 1.2 million mail accounts and over 38,000 domains that are hosted on their network. CrystalTech attributes this feat to their enterprise-level mail and virus solutions, available for every hosting account regardless of plan level, as well as to the thoroughness and proactive nature of their network infrastructure.

The MyDoom virus, already labeled as one of the most widespread and prolific email virus ever created, is projected to cost businesses over $250,000,000 dollars in lost productivity and has wreaked havoc with networks and internet traffic worldwide. However, once the virus was first identified, the CrystalTech Network Operations Center (NOC) reacted quickly and in conjunction with Trend Micro, the developer of Server Protect, and SmarterTools, makers of SmarterMail. According to Tim Uzzanti, CEO of CrystalTech, "Our NOC reacted as soon as they were made aware of the threat, and immediately took action to update our antivirus signatures and secure our network. We use two of the leading mail and antivirus packages, SmarterMail and Trend Micro, and both were able to be updated and locked down very quickly and easily. In fact, thanks to the integration of SmarterMail and Trend and our ability to contact and communicate with both vendors, less than an hour after the first announcement of the virus we had it identified and we were blocking over 90% of all infected messages. As changes to our scanning of mail was tweaked and adjusted to the volume of mail we were seeing, we were blocking close to 100% of them."

The speed and efficiency with which CrystalTech acted did not go unnoticed by their customers. Several noted on the CrystalTech message board that they were seeing few, if any, infected messages in their inboxes. The majority stated that they were seeing more in their outside accounts, with one customer stating that their free email account was full with infected messages within a day, whereas his CrystalTech account had a single infected message.

"We process millions of messages a day for our customers. At one point, one of four messages we saw coming into our network were infected with this virus. The fact that our customers only have to read about the virus and the problems it is causing, versus having to actually deal with it directly, says a great deal about our staff, our infrastructure, and our desire to give customers the safest and most secure hosting environment possible," said Mr. Uzzanti.

With the severity of the MyDoom virus, web hosts and Internet Service Providers alike were reminded how important it is to have systems and procedures in place to deal with threats to network stability and reliability. Thanks to quick action and a solid email and antivirus infrastructure, CrystalTech handled MyDoom easily and eliminated the virus' potential for disaster for all CrystalTech customers.

Founded in 1992, CrystalTech Web Hosting, Inc. has grown to be one of the largest, debt-free, privately owned companies in the web hosting industry. CrystalTech hosts customers in over 70 countries, ranging from Fortune 100 customers to small businesses. CrystalTech is responsible for 100's of millions of visits each day on the Internet. We provide this service using a state of the art network operation center that includes: redundant power systems, redundant air conditioning, redundant network connectivity, redundant network transportation (land and satellite), secured environment to the network operations center and more.

Trend Micro, Inc. 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 and managed service providers. For additional information and evaluation copies of all Trend Micro products, visit our Web site, www.trendmicro.com

SmarterTools Inc. is a privately held company based in Phoenix, Arizona specializing in internet related products and services that fill voids in their respective categories. The SmarterTools Inc. management team has the expertise and experience in the industry and in leading some of the largest companies in their respected fields. It is their experience with both Domestic and International customers in over 60 countries that has made SmarterTools Inc. an immediate player in the industry.