PRESS RELEASE

BUCHAREST, Romania -- March 31, 2009 -- BitDefender, an award-winning provider of innovative anti-malware security solutions, has launched a free tool that removes all versions of the Conficker (or Downadup) worm on both home workstations and business networks. The removal tool can be accessed at http://bdtools.net.

While BitDefender's Conficker removal tool was first available for home users last week, the company has added a similar removal tool for business networks this week. BitDefender's unique network removal tool is scalable and can be used by networks of various sizes. The tool allows IT administrators to easily and centrally remove the Conficker worm from business networks without the need to run a local removal tool on each machine, thus avoiding the risks of the worm spreading throughout the network again.

"BitDefender understands that home workstations are not the only entities being affected by the Conficker worm, business networks are also being infected," said Vlad Valceanu, BitDefender's senior malware analyst. "Businesses worldwide can experience significant losses in productivity or network downtime due to the Conficker worm, which is simply unacceptable for any business, especially in the current economic crisis. BitDefender supports businesses around the globe that are infected by the worm by offering a free and easy-to-use removal tool."

Conficker is a network worm that takes advantage of vulnerabilities in Windows to spread. Once a system is compromised, the worm disables Windows Update and blocks access to anti-virus websites in order to hinder the user's attempts to disinfect the machine. The latest version of Conficker is scheduled to activate on April 1.

Additionally, all BitDefender 2009 products, through automatic updates, have implemented Conficker detection and removal functionality. Non-BitDefender users can access the tool through http://bdtools.net.

Users can see a demonstration of how to use the BitDefender Conficker removal tool on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9Oj01CI0dM.

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About BitDefender BitDefender is the creator of one of the industry's fastest and most effective lines of internationally certified security software. Since its inception in 2001, BitDefender has continued to raise the bar and set new standards in proactive threat prevention, emerging as the industry's anti-malware innovator. Every day, BitDefender protects tens of millions of home and corporate users across the globe — giving them the peace of mind of knowing that their digital experiences will be secure. BitDefender solutions are distributed by a global network of value-added distribution and reseller partners in more than 100 countries worldwide. More information about BitDefender and its products are available at the company's security solutions press room. Additionally, BitDefender's www.malwarecity.com provides background and the latest updates on security threats helping users stay informed in the everyday battle against malware.