Secure Computing Warns Phishers are Exploiting MasterCard Breach
-Fraudulent e-mails seek to exploit anxiety of MasterCard customers
AUCKLAND, June 23, 2005 - Secure Computing Corporation (NASDAQ: SCUR), the experts in securing connections between
people, applications, and networksT, has issued a warning to businesses and consumers to be on the lookout for
suspicious e-mails purporting to come from MasterCard. The bogus e-mails from a fraudulent "phishing" site ask users to
visit the phishing site and disclose their account information. The e-mails began appearing within 24 hours of
widespread news reports that up to 40 million MasterCard holders had been exposed to potential fraud, illustrating the
speed with which phishing gangs move to exploit new vulnerabilities. The first e-mail looks like this:
Dear User,
During our regular update and verification of the accounts, we couldn't verify your current information. Either your
information has changed or it is incomplete. If the account information is not updated to current information within 5
days then, your access will be restricted. Go to this link below or copy and paste it on your address tool bar.
http://www.mastercard-new-register.com
***Please Do Not Reply To This E-Mail As You Will Not Receive A Response***
Thank you
Accounts Management
"We first began intercepting these e-mails on June 18 - the day after the security breach was reported in the media. We
expect that phishers will soon add references to the latest MasterCard breach to lure users into revealing their
personal information," said Stuart Rauch, director of product marketing for Secure Computing. "Bank customers and credit
card holders should exercise extreme caution when responding to unsolicited e-mails that purport to be from financial
institutions."
Secure Computing offers a range of effective security solutions to address the threat of identity theft faced by
businesses and consumers. A key component of Secure Computing's offering is the SafeWord line of strong-authentication
products, which address the weakest link in every network: passwords. While passwords can be easily stolen or guessed,
SafeWord tokens generate new passcodes with every user login, positively identifying each user who is accessing a
trusted network or Web site. For more information, visit http://www.securecomputing.com.au
"According to Secure Computing's CEO John McNulty, most of today's phishing scams prey on easy targets, with mass
attacks designed to harvest many user names and simple passwords. Raising the security bar with two-factor
authentication will likely cause attackers to look for softer targets," said Eric Krieger, Country Manager, Secure
Computing, Australia and New Zealand. "It is critical that New Zealand organisations continue to deploy multiple
solutions against a range of threats."
Secure Computing provides an arsenal of security products that help prevent identity theft also includes the Sidewinder
G2R security appliance and SmartFilterR Web filtering solutions. Along with SafeWord, these solutions can reduce many of
the vulnerabilities associated with identity theft.
"In a layered security approach, nothing can replace the importance of user education," McNulty continued. "Just as
password policies can be undermined by a simple Post-it Note, users must be aware of the risks of being careless with
identity credentials. Users need to be educated by their organizations and their financial institutions about the risks
that are out there."
About Secure Computing
Secure Computing (NASDAQ: SCUR) has been securing the connections between people and information for over 20 years.
Specializing in delivering solutions that secure these connections, Secure Computing is uniquely qualified to be the
global security solutions provider to organizations of all sizes. Our more than 11,000 global customers, supported by a
worldwide network of partners, include the majority of the Dow Jones Global 50 Titans and the most prominent
organizations in banking, financial services, healthcare, telecommunications, manufacturing, public utilities, and
federal and local governments. The company is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., and has sales offices worldwide. For
more information, see http://www.securecomputing.com.
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This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to Secure Computing's ability to deliver security
solutions to enterprise customers, and the expected benefits of such, and such statements involve a number of risks and
uncertainties. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by
such forward-looking statements are delays in product development, undetected software errors or bugs, competitive
pressures, technical difficulties, changes in customer requirements, general economic conditions and the risk factors
detailed from time to time in Secure Computing's periodic reports and registration statements filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
ENDS