Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP), the worldwide leader in securing the Internet, today announced that its enterprise security gateways now have the unique ability to block Skype v3.5, the latest version of the popular consumer VoIP application. This development, leveraging Check Point’s SmartDefense™ integrated intrusion prevention capabilities, is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to help enterprises better manage the risks from consumer software downloaded by employees for personal use.

The addition of Skype v3.5 management and blocking capabilities is particularly critical because a new virus called “w32/Ramex.A” is currently spreading through Skype for Windows. Infected users send a chat message to other Skype users, asking them to click on a web link that can infect the computer of the recipient. With Check Point, an IT administrator could immediately secure the corporate network against the virus by simply blocking Skype use until the virus storm has passed, or limiting use to versions not affected.

Consumer applications such as instant messaging (IM), peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing and Skype are often installed by employees without the company’s knowledge or consent. Once installed on even a single PC connected to the network, the application can become an open avenue for hackers seeking to infiltrate the network. Check Point has strategically developed extensive security and management features for IM and P2P applications running across a corporate network. By offering IT administrators more granular control of these applications, an enterprise can reduce the risk of security breaches associated with consumer software vulnerabilities as well improve employee productivity by limiting distractions.

“IM, Skype and P2P applications are exciting new ways to communicate and collaborate, but enterprises must have control over anything with the potential to introduce new threats into the network,” said Scott Ferguson, regional vice president, Asia at Check Point. “Check Point is leading the way by ensuring that these management and blocking capabilities extend to the most current versions of consumer software applications, such as Skype v3.5.”

Beyond security vulnerabilities, the potential for proprietary information to be sent off the network without approval introduces legal and competitive risks. Plus, the added bandwidth consumption from these products can increase IT costs and negatively affect the performance of the overall network. Lastly, employers may not want employees to be distracted by alternative communication mediums such as Skype, MSN, Jabber, ICQ and others

As part of Check Point’s management capabilities, IT administrators can limit or entirely block IM and P2P communications, and help set boundaries over their network traffic. Real-time updates from Check Point’s SmartDefense Services provide Check Point users with the latest patches to ensure customers are protected against new exploits, vulnerabilities and protocols. Additionally, the Check Point SmartDefense engine allows administrators to add advanced functionalities that are both protocol- and heuristic-based.

For more information on how to protect against IM and P2P applications that pose a threat to enterprise security, please visit www.checkpoint.com.

About Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (www.checkpoint.com) is a leader in securing the Internet. The company is a market leader in the worldwide enterprise firewall, personal firewall, data security and VPN markets. Check Point’s PURE focus is on IT security with its extensive portfolio of network security, data security and security management solutions. Through its NGX platform, Check Point delivers a unified security architecture for a broad range of security solutions to protect business communications and resources for corporate networks and applications, remote employees, branch offices and partner extranets. The company also offers market leading data security solutions through the Pointsec product line, protecting and encrypting sensitive corporate information stored on PCs and other mobile computing devices. Check Point's award-winning ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite and additional consumer security solutions protect millions of consumer PCs from hackers, spyware and data theft. Extending the power of the Check Point solution is its Open Platform for Security (OPSEC), the industry's framework and alliance for integration and interoperability with "best-of-breed" solutions from hundreds of leading companies. Check Point solutions are sold, integrated and serviced by a network of Check Point partners around the world and its customers include 100 percent of Fortune 100 companies and tens of thousands of businesses and organisations of all sizes.