For Immediate Release ----------------------- For more information contact: e.g. Software, Inc. Glen Boyd - (503) 294-0317 Keith Warzecha - (503) 294-0317 e.g. Software, Inc. Ships SmartPass Portland, OR - March 7, 1994 - e.g. Software, Inc. today announced the release of SmartPass 1.0 for NetWare. SmartPass is a NetWare Loadable Module (NLM) designed to strengthen the password protection of NetWare 3.11, 3.12, SFT III and 4.x environments. Compromised passwords have become a serious source of security problems on the network. "A networked environment is only as secure as the passwords employed by the users on that network. Even though an organization may require users to change passwords regularly, many users will routinely select passwords such as a spouse's name, a birth date, or a street name that are easily compromised by hacker programs and internal intruders," said Glen Boyd, president of e.g. Software, Inc. “SmartPass is able to identify weak, predictable passwords on a NetWare server. SmartPass can then be configured to expire the password or create a list of all identified weak passwords for the network manager." "Simple, easy to compromise passwords are a threat to network security," said Ron Nutter, Director of Technical Services for 900 Support, Inc., a professional outsourcing services agency with offices in Lake Oswego, Oregon. "SmartPass will reduce, if not eliminate these types of passwords from the environment. SmartPass should be one of the first utilities you purchase after installing NetWare." Common Passwords ---------------- SmartPass comes equipped with 10 databases containing over 120,000 common passwords. Some of the databases included are: - Common Words - Computer Jargon - Famous People’s Names - Common First and Last Names - Places around the Globe In addition, SmartPass utilizes algorithms to identify other common passwords such as blank passwords, common keystroke sequences, matching user names and passwords, and calendar dates. Customizable ------------ SmartPass allows the network administrator to customize different password scanning options. The administrator can enable or disable databases, scan "All Users" or "Supervisors Only", and schedule scans for times when server utilization is low. In addition, SmartPass offers real-time scanning options that initiate a user-specific scan any time a user changes his or her password, or a new user is added to the network. SmartPass also supports user-supplied weak password databases. SmartPass Protects Vulnerable Network Environments -------------------------------------------------- With the use of dial-in servers, remote control packages, WANs, the Internet and remote node connections via modem, convenience has become key to an organization's productivity. However, this convenience makes networks ever more vulnerable to hackers and would-be intruders. SmartPass helps network administrators secure their networks by providing them an easy means of identifying and removing all weak passwords in the environment. Pricing and Availability ------------------------ e.g. Software's SmartPass 1.0 for NetWare is currently available. It is priced at $499 per server. Through May 1st 1994, e.g. Software will offer SmartPass at a special introductory price of $299 per server. This includes a license for a single server and an unlimited number of workstations. Customers may purchase, or obtain additional information on SmartPass, by contacting e.g. Software, Inc. directly. A demonstration copy can be acquired by calling the e.g. Software bulletin board at the number listed below. e.g. Software Inc., headquartered in Portland, Oregon, develops, markets and supports security-focused software for distributed computing environments. e.g. Software Inc. 1231 SW Cardinell Dr. Portland, OR 97201 (503) 294-0317 (503) 294-7130 FAX (503) 294-7195 BBS e.g. Software, Inc., is a registered trademark. Other products and companies mentioned herein are used for identification purposes only and may or may not be trademarks of their respective companies. .