AMD AND microsoft to provide customers new security technology
 

Combined Hardware and Software Solution Designed to Strengthen Protection Against Viruses and Worms-



SUNNYVALE, CALIF.- February 25, 2004-AMD (AMD: NYSE) announced today that AMD64 processors combined with the upcoming Microsoft(r) Windows(r) XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) will help computers to better withstand attacks from certain classes of viruses and worms. The combination of the AMD64 processor and Windows XP SP2 technologies will help provide customers enhanced security allowing home and business users to experience safer e-mail and Internet browsing, and increased network and memory protection.



AMD's enhanced virus protection security technology in combination with Microsoft's Data Execution Prevention in the upcoming Windows XP SP2 is designed to help render some viruses, specifically buffer overrun exploits, inoperable and prevent them from replicating and spreading to other systems.



"Computer security has become one of the most important issues in both the home and enterprise, and AMD and Microsoft recognize that it will take a strong combination of hardware and software to battle malicious code," said Marty Seyer, vice president and general manager, AMD's Microprocessor Business Unit. "AMD and Microsoft are taking a leadership role with AMD64 processors and the upcoming Windows XP SP2. We will deliver a solution that is both effective and easy for customers to implement in either 32-bit or 64-bit systems."



"Data Execution Prevention is one of several security enhancements within Windows XP SP2 that will provide our customers with protection against certain buffer overrun virus attacks, thereby helping them become more secure," said Rebecca Norlander, group manager in charge of the Windows XP SP2 release at Microsoft Corp. "PC security is an issue that can only be addressed through the combined efforts of our industry partners. The work that companies such as AMD are doing provides an additional layer of protection for our customers when used in concert with solid security practices at home and in the enterprise."



"By building threat resistance into next-generation systems at the platform level, AMD's enhanced virus protection will enhance one of the major pillars of overall security management," said Lina Liberti, vice president of eTrust product marketing at Computer Associates. "CA applauds this collaborative effort and will continue working with both Microsoft and AMD to ensure that our mutual customers can help reduce the effect of certain types of malicious code polluting the Internet and reduce business risk."



"With multiple avenues for attackers to compromise a network through the discovery and exploitation of vulnerable systems, a multi-layered defense has become more essential than ever before," said Robin Matlock, vice president of product marketing for Network Associates McAfee System Protection Solutions Group. "As one of the first security companies to provide system protection for the AMD Athlon(tm) 64 processors, Network Associates is pleased to support AMD and Microsoft in their efforts to provide enhanced security technologies against malicious threats. The enhanced technology will mean greater protection for our mutual customers against both known and unknown attacks."



All AMD64 processors, including AMD Opteron(tm) and AMD Athlon 64 processors shipped in 2003, are enabled with AMD's Enhanced Virus Protection for the upcoming Windows XP SP2. AMD64 processors are currently supported by more than 1000 global OEMS and hardware and software companies. Windows XP SP2 is currently in beta and is expected to ship in the second quarter of 2004.