Local ISP, BCSnet has launched its eSafe SecureSurfing service today and is now the first and only Internet Service Provider (ISP) in the country to offer a clean and safe internet pipe using the SecureSurfing service to its customers.

Through its partnership agreement with Aladdin Knowledge Systems, BCSnet has implemented the Israeli developed eSafe SecureSurfing content security technology. This is the first-ever technology designed for ISP-managed security services. The eSafe SecureSurfing platform allows BCSnet to offer a centralised, value-added security service that inspects and filters Web traffic from malicious or inappropriate content before it reaches customers browsing the Internet. The service frees BSCnet subscribers from the complexities and confusion of maintaining desktop-based security software to thwart threats such as spyware, Trojans, phishing, and zero-day vulnerabilities.

 Said Niel de Wet, director: BCSnet: “As of today our customers will be able to receive BCSnet SecureSurfing’s powerful capabilities that will offer:  

·   Real-time Web surfing security with four-layer spyware blocking utilising 15 anti-spyware technologies, stopping both standard and targeted spyware attacks.

·   Real-time Web surfing Trojan and worm blocking with full inspection of all Web page content.

·   Real-time Web 1.0 and 2.0 surfing exploit, vulnerability, and AJAX client-attacks blocking – truly proactive security.

·   Web e-mail security and antivirus effective for almost any Web-based email service, including Hotmail, GMail, Yahoo! Mail, etc.

As this is provided as a service, says de Wet, all our customers connected to the BCSnet cloud, will automatically be protected anywhere they surf the Web, without the hassle of any program installation or updates”.

 “In the last two years there has been a significant shift from e-mail based virus attacks to internet based threats. Hackers are exploiting the vulnerabilities of the Web to infect website visitors. The next generation of Web content protection is a more holistic system that scans for and filters out application-layer attacks via Web browsing, downloads and e-mail.

 Today the internet is flooded with threats such as Spyware, Phishing, Trojan horses, Zombie-Bots, and zero-day threats exploited to initiate massive infections. An amazing 149,221 new instances of individual malicious code were identified in 2006, representing a 900 percent jump from 16,623 in 2005. The majority of the threats today infect on the Web and are aggressive Spyware and Trojans, designed to steal information and make money to their creators. Web content security has never been more relevant, and blacklist and signature based security solutions of the past cannot cope with modern the massive number of attacks and vulnerabilities,” says de Wet.

“I believe we will see a strong drive by more and more ISPs to provide security as a service to their customers”.

 BCSnet will be able to offer the SecureSurfing service at a favourable monthly fee to its customers. This is due to Aladdin’s commitment to the partnership which culminated in a significant foreign direct investment. Aladdin provided the infrastructure and skills transfer to BCSnet. Continuous research and daily updates to the SecureSurfing system will be provided by Aladdin’s research department.

The attractive pricing strategy make this service ideal for both corporate customers, as well as broadband and dial-up consumers. Additional functionality of Website filtering to block adult-oriented, inappropriate is an ideal solution as a parental-control service for the home. And for corporate users it allows to improve productivity.

 Said Tsion Gonen, vice president eSafe for the Aladdin eSafe Business Unit: “Aladdin’s fast-paced success with eSafe SecureSurfing continues to arm ISPs from around the globe with a truly unmatched solution that repeatedly proves to be popular with ISP subscribers, while also increasing their revenues”.

“It’s a win-win opportunity, as large ISPs such as BCSnet are realizing the huge demand for ‘clean Internet pipe’ technology that delivers high security the end user while being completely transparent. ISPs that are now offering eSafe SecureSurfing quickly see it as a real-value technology that clearly sets them apart from the competition”, says Gonen

Aladdin Knowledge Systems is represented in South Africa by Camsoft Solutions.

 About BCSnet

BCSnet is a leading e-Service-Provider of outsourced ICT infra-structural services in Southern Africa. Its services enable a complete corporate communication and content hosting solution, ranging from Internet/mail access-management, to mission critical data availability-management, for their clients. Its service solutions include Application Hosting Services, World Carrier Class Telecommunications Services, Internet Access Services and Office Automation Professional Services.  BCSnet prides itself on its BEE status. For more information about BCSnet services and their national and regional service delivery capabilities, visit www.bcsnet.co.za.

 About Aladdin eSafe

Aladdin eSafe is a high capacity, perimeter-based, strong content security solution that provides organisations a transparent shield from threats and enhances productivity. eSafe enables organisations to supply secure Web surfing through a wire speed security gateway featuring powerful anti-spyware and unauthorised application filtering; reduce spam though a proactive email security gateway with advanced spam management; and improve security through URL filtering with transparent inspection of HTTP,  FTP, SMTP and POP3. For more information, please visit www.Aladdin.com/eSafe.

 About Aladdin

Aladdin Knowledge Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ALDN), founded in 1985, is a global provider of security solutions. Its security products are organised into two segments: Software Digital Rights Management (DRM) and Enterprise Security.  Aladdin’s Software DRM products allow software developers and publishers to protect their intellectual property, increase revenues through licensing, and reduce losses from software piracy. Aladdin’s Enterprise Security solutions enable organisations to secure their information technology assets by controlling who has access to their networks (identity and password management) and what content their users can utilise (proactive content security). Aladdin has offices in 10 countries, a worldwide network of channel partners and holds numerous industry awards for innovation and reliability. For more information, please visit the Aladdin Web site at www.Aladdin.com.