EarthLink to Play a Major Role in the Fight Against Spam

GOLDEN, Colo. -- Aug. 10, 2004 -- The Golden Group today confirmed the first keynote speaker for "INBOX -- The Email Event" to be held in Atlanta, November 17-19, 2004. Linda Beck, Executive VP of Operations at EarthLink (NASDAQ:ELNK), one of the nation's leading Internet service providers, will discuss the role of email providers in fighting spam and viruses and explore how providers can continue to protect individual email privacy as they develop new technologies and authentication standards to protect the Internet community as a whole.

"As a leader in today's Internet community, and the technical head of an ISP with more than 5 million subscribers, Linda Beck can provide a unique perspective on privacy versus protection at a time when email systems have never been so critical," said Martin Hall, Conference Director of the INBOX event. "Her prescriptive insight will set the tone for the whole INBOX conference."

Privacy vs. the Common Good: the Industry Debate Over Fighting

Email Abuse

As email providers develop new technologies and new authentication standards to stop the spread of spam, viruses and other types of malicious Internet activity, a question has emerged within the Internet community: how intrusive should email providers become in the name of protecting the common good? How much right to privacy should an individual retain if his/her PC has been compromised by a spammer or other type of malicious Internet activity? Linda Beck, EVP of Operations for EarthLink, one of the nation's leading Internet service providers, will explore these and related topics, as well as discuss what types of new technology platforms email providers are developing and testing to protect the interests of the Internet community as a whole.

About Linda Beck

Linda Beck leads EarthLink's technical staff -- managing the Internet provider's software development, system administration, network operations, quality engineering and MIS teams, as well as the CTO and CIO functions. She is responsible for the backbone and infrastructure that provides EarthLink's Internet service, including three major data centers, hundreds of network points of presence, and mail farms that deliver more than three billion messages each month.

Linda and her team have also been at the forefront of the war against spam and abuse, managing the company's network security and spam prevention infrastructure. She supervises the teams at EarthLink that investigate and prevent network fraud and abuse, including spam, viruses and worms, and leads the product developers who build the next generation of consumer-protection products.

INBOX East 2004 (http://www.inboxevent.com/)

Building on the successful launch in June of the INBOX and ETC (Email Technology Conference) events, the single, merged INBOX event moves to Atlanta, November 17-19 at the Cobb Galleria Centre. Built on a high quality conference, this targeted event focused on email, instant messaging and collaboration is developed especially for IT, marketing and business professionals in enterprise and service provider organizations. It delivers techniques, prescriptions, solutions and industry connections that ensure the cost-effective health and hygiene of email, instant messaging and collaboration systems. With more than 70 exhibiting companies expected, INBOX East 2004 promises a wealth of information, networking and resources in one place for the messaging industry.

Press and Blogger Registration

Members of the press and industry bloggers are invited to attend the entire conference including the keynotes and plenaries. For registration, please visit: http://www.inboxevent.com/2004East/press.asp

About EarthLink

"EarthLink revolves around you(TM)." Celebrating ten years as a leading national Internet service provider (ISP), Atlanta-based EarthLink has earned an award-winning reputation for outstanding customer service and its suite of online products and services. Serving more than five million subscribers, EarthLink offers what every user should expect from their Internet experience: high-quality connectivity, minimal drop-offs and ISP-generated intrusions, and customizable features. Whether it's dial-up, high-speed, Web hosting, or wireless Internet service, EarthLink provides the tools that best let individuals use and enjoy the Internet on their own terms. Learn more about EarthLink by calling (800) EARTHLINK or visiting EarthLink's Web site at www.earthlink.net.

About The Golden Group

The Golden Group crafts exceptional conferences and invigorating industry gatherings including ISPCON and INBOX -- The Email Event. The company is headquartered in Golden, Colorado with offices in northern California.