EarthLink Invests $2.5 Million In DSL Security

EarthLink Tuesday announced plans to invest more than $2.5 million in firewall software to secure the links of its digital subscriber line customers.

The security upgrade is available for downloading on both MacIntosh and
Windows platforms for current subscriber’s to EarthLink’s DSL services. Customers will receive an e-mail with detailed
instructions about how to install the program by the end of next month.

Mac users can download Open
Door’s DoorStop Personal Edition 2.0
, while Windows users can use the
firewall protection using Symantec’s Norton Personal Firewall
2000
.

Mike Lunsford, EarthLink executive vice president of broadband
services, said people should not have to worry about their system being
subject to malicious attacks from outsiders.

“Security has become one of the top concerns for those considering
broadband access, and now all EarthLink DSL customers can feel safer while
they’re online,” Lunsford said.

“It’s important that all our DSL customers feel secure, so we’ve extended
this opportunity across the board,” Lunsford added. “Whether they’re new
or existing customers, whether they use a PC or a Mac, whether they’re in
Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York or any of the 50-plus cities we serve.”

EarthLink has gone to great lengths to build out its DSL customer base this
year. In addition to the firewall software, $59 for Doorstop and $50 for
Firewall2000, it also waived the $300 setup fee.

According to subscriber counts taken three months ago, more than 50,000 DSL
users currently subscribe to EarthLink’s high-speed services.

Analysis by the Yankee Group
indicates that approximately 70 to 80 percent of broadband users have had
their computer probed, while almost 50 percent of those have been violated
by other means.

Van Holmes, EarthLink assistant public relations manager, said the company
feels that security is critical to its clients and free support simply
means than more clients will take action to protect their computers.

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