SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 16, 1997-- CyberMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ:CYBR) announces the first consumer software product to protect against Internet threats to system security and user privacy. "CyberWall" is the project code for this still-unnamed Microsoft Windows 95(R) product, due to ship by the end of the summer. It integrates a variety of defenses to make the Internet experience safer and to keep it free from unpleasant surprises. CyberMedia anticipates a US estimated street price well under $100, including the product itself and a renewable one-year online update subscription.

CyberWall combines a spectrum of protective countermeasures to match the many perils that can result from Web browsing and modern connected computing. It includes defenses to Java and Active-X (Web programming language) applet attacks, "Trojan Horses" (disruptive programs that hide inside benign software) and viruses that can arrive in e-mail attachments and downloaded files. It intercepts and blocks attempts to transfer sensitive information by silently redialing modems, or by stealthily sending e-mail. It prevents accidental browsing into known "evil page" Web sites (those using tricks to profit at the expense of unsuspecting users). It also grooms history files, blocks selected bookmarks and controls "cookies" to deny the personal information they can hold to snooper applications. "Our users are telling us that in order to provide a complete suite of PC problem resolution products, we need to address a new and growing source of problems brought on by the Internet," says CyberMedia President and CEO Unni Warrier. "We committed ourselves to solving these problems in a comprehensive, mass-market, end-user consumer product." CyberMedia recently enhanced its development team with the acquisition of Walk Softly, Inc., a young, respected developer of privacy and security technologies for the Internet.

CyberWall represents many firsts: the first consumer product to protect against Active-X and "Trojan Horse" threats, the first with Windows 95 "cookie" controls and referrer-field blocking (which can be used to determine personal habits and preferences), the first to prevent "stealth" e-mail and silent modem redials. CyberMedia will release a public Windows 95 beta of CyberWall by midsummer, before the full retail release. Versions for Windows NT and for "Memphis" (the as-yet-unnamed successor to Windows 95, sometimes also referred to as Windows 97 or Windows 98) are also planned.

CyberMedia expects to initially distribute CyberWall through its retail distribution channels, through online resellers and directly from its own Web site. As purchased, the package will include both the software and a renewable one-year subscription to the update service. CyberMedia anticipates retail pricing well under $100 (US estimated street price).

CyberMedia's mission is to empower computer users to fix computer problems on their own, before they need to call technical support hotlines for help. It is the leading supplier of automatic service and support solutions for PC users; the company's ActiveHelp product line includes First Aid(R), Oil Change(TM), Uninstaller(TM) and the Tech Support Yellow Pages. CyberMedia products are distributed through more than 10,000 retail stores in the United States, including WalMart and CompUSA. They are also distributed internationally in Germany, Canada, Italy, France, Austria, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Australia. CyberMedia products are also available from OEM distribution partners, including AST, Sony, Fujitsu, Packard Bell-NEC and Phoenix Technologies. They are also available for sale on the Internet through leading online resellers as well as the CyberMedia web site, http://www.cybermedia.com

Founded in 1991, CyberMedia (NASDAQ:CYBR) employs more than 180, with company headquarters in Santa Monica, CA and offices in San Jose, CA. For additional information contact CyberMedia, Inc., 3000 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90405; phone (310) 581-4700; fax 310-581-4720; e-mail info@cybermedia.com or visit the CyberMedia web site at http://www.cybermedia.com