** SuSE Linux Firewall Now Also For "Virtual Private Networks" **

Security Needs Are Greater Than Ever

Nuremberg, November 21, 2001 - Today, SuSE Linux, the 
international Open Source technology leader and solutions 
provider, announced a version of "SuSE Linux Firewall on CD" 
available for "Virtual Private Networks" (VPN). With increased 
focus on IT security needs of small and medium sized enterprises, 
SuSE continues to extend its business product line.

Companies with secure connected networks at various company 
locations primarily use VPNs. Telecommuters access data in a 
company intranet through a VPN. In addition, many companies 
perform secure Internet-based information exchange with customers, 
partners, and suppliers via VPNs. For example, data sent by a 
customer to a banking computer system is transmitted via a secure 
VPN connection.

"Today, corporations and governments are facing an ever greater 
need for increased data security", said Johannes Nussbickel, CEO 
of SuSE Linux. "At SuSE, we have always focused on security with 
innovations such as the 'on-CD' security feature. Our new VPN 
capabilities in SuSE Linux Firewall extend the secure flow of 
communication in today's complex corporate networks and are of 
interest not only for companies but also for original equipment 
manufacturers."

"SuSE Linux Firewall on CD - VPN Edition" offers enterprises using 
Internet access efficient protection for their mission-critical 
data and IT infrastructure. Designed as an application-level 
gateway, SuSE Linux Firewall combines the high security standards 
of a hardware solution with the flexibility of a software 
firewall. As the central element of a competent IT security 
policy, SuSE Linux Firewall checks, monitors, analyzes, and logs 
the ongoing data traffic, thus providing a maximum degree of 
security.

The main advantage of SuSE Linux Firewall is the so-called live 
system that allows the operating system to be booted directly from 
a read-only CD-ROM without installing it on the hard disk. The 
live system represents a security gain, since the firewall 
software itself is located on the CD-ROM and cannot be 
manipulated. The respective configuration files - such as the 
ipchains packet filter settings - are stored on a write-protected 
floppy disk.

The enclosed source code enables the adaptation to any specific 
needs. A second CD contains the "Firewall Administration System" 
(FAS), a set of convenient tools for the quick configuration and 
efficient administration of one or several firewalls.

*** Protection Against Attacks from Internal and External Sources

Since many attacks on critical data occur within a company, SuSE 
Linux Firewall on CD not only protects networks against intrusion 
from external sources, it also defines limits for various 
divisions within a company. SuSE Linux Firewall continuously logs 
the data traffic, providing transparent information on all data 
accesses.

The included http content filter offers the possibility of 
effectively filtering HTML pages. Undesired contents can be 
detected and blocked. The proxy server, which is based on the Open 
Source program package "squid", accelerates Internet operations by 
storing previously viewed pages and quickly reloading them on 
request. Additional features include syslog, postfix as mail 
relay, and SSH support.

SuSE Linux Firewall on CD is available as "Standard Edition" and 
as "VPN Edition" and can be obtained from authorized SuSE Business 
Partners. The package price includes the software on 3 CDs plus 
comprehensive documentation, 30 days of installation support, and 
12 months of system maintenance. The recommended retail price for 
the "Standard Edition" is EUR 1150.00 (exclusive of VAT); the "VPN 
Edition" is EUR 1490.00 (exclusive of VAT).

About SuSE

SuSE Linux is one of the world's leading providers of complete 
solutions based on the Open Source operating system Linux. In 
addition to operating systems and application software for private 
customers, SuSE offers software solutions and complete systems for 
the deployment of Linux in companies.

SuSE supports its enterprise customers with a comprehensive range 
of qualified consulting, training, and support services. The 
company, which hosts the world's largest development team for Open 
Source solutions, has made its unique project and support know-how 
accessible via the Internet in the largest existing Linux 
knowledge database.

Further information on SuSE can be found at http://www.suse.de/en/

Press contact:
SuSE Linux AG
Martina Eckstein
Schanzaeckerstr. 10
90443 Nuernberg
Germany
martina.eckstein@suse.de
Phone: +49-(0)911-74053507