27th November, 2002 - London, England, Netvoyager thin client desktop users have averted a major corporate virus risk, by centralising their systems and using Netvoyager thin client desktops to access applications.

A software bug in a common component of Microsoft web servers and Internet Explorer could leave millions of servers and PCs open to attack. The vulnerability, found by security company Foundstone and confirmed by Microsoft, could allow an internet attacker to take over a web server, spread an email virus or create a fast-spreading network worm. Foundstone originally discovered the flaw and worked with Microsoft to develop a patch.

The flaw, in a component of Windows that allows web servers and browsers to communicate with online databases, could be as widespread as the flaws that allowed the Code Red and Nimda worms to spread. More than 4.1 million sites hosted on Microsoft's Internet Information Service (IIS) software are likely to be affected. In addition, millions of Windows 95, 98, Me and 2000 PCs could also be vulnerable to the software bug.

Microsoft rated the flaw as critical, and Lynn Terwoerds, security program manager for Microsoft's security response centre, said: "There is a possibility that it might be wormable, it is clearly critical. We want the patch uptake to be really high."

Computer viruses have cost companies a total of $10.7bn so far this year in lost revenues and the cost of repairing infected systems. A study by research company Computer Economics says Code Red was one of the costliest viruses - accounting for $2.6bn. But Code Red is still well down on the costliest virus of all time - the Love Bug. Last year computer networks worldwide were hit by the bug, which wreaked havoc worth staggering $8.7bn.

This year's other big viruses included SirCam which infected more than 2.3 million computers worldwide causing damage worth $1.03bn, according to the research.

The total cost of damage is calculated on the basis of loss in productivity and the clean-up process afterwards. The loss of productivity includes downtime suffered by users as well as company IT staff dealing with the virus during and after the attack. The clean-up process includes patching systems and time and money it takes for a company to return back to normal operations.

About Netvoyager PLC
Netvoyager is a leading, UK based, software development house of thin client and interactive TV technology. Established in 1999, Netvoyager has focused on the growing thin client and iTV market and has developed a portfolio of complementary products. Netvoyager has strategic alliances with Microsoft, Citrix and IBM. For further information please sales@netvoyager.co.uk