Panicware Warns Consumers about Spyware and Adware Products Falsely Identifying Panicware as Spyware.

SEATTLE -- Panicware Takes Steps to Assure Customers That Panicware Products Do Not Contain Any Form of Spyware or Adware

Panicware, Inc., a Seattle developer of PC privacy and pop-up blocking technology, warns consumers about competitor products falsely identifying Panicware files as spyware. Users should avoid removing components of trusted Panicware products. No Panicware files, in any free or paid version, contain any spyware or adware.

Panicware's support team has been receiving multiple inquiries per day from customers who had used one of several anti-spyware programs. After scanning and removing the falsely categorized Panicware files, these users immediately began receiving messages that Panicware's product could not find one or more files needed to run the product. One file is the update file XAHook.dll, which Webroot's Spy Sweeper mistakenly associates with WildMedia adware. Representatives for Webroot state they believe this error is corrected in their most recent update.

Panicware would like to assure all of our product users that Panicware products remain safe and free of spyware, adware or any other harmful file types.

Panicware has been providing free software and resources to protect users from pop-up ads, as well as free technical support for years, assisting customers in removing tricky spyware and adware. Panicware also provides a free Spyware Resource Center, with constantly updated links to trusted removal programs. Panicware has noticed a huge increase in illegitimate 'removal' programs, some of which actually install harmful files or claim to remove files, but do not. Many of these programs appear in paid advertisements on popular search engines, tricking consumers into thinking they are legitimate protection or removal programs. Some advertisers even go so far as to use the Panicware or Pop-Up Stopper(R) Trademarks in their ads or search terms.

"Panicware hears many horror stories from customers who have been tricked by spyware and adware companies. We have been providing free support for this problem for many years. We urge PC users to exercise extreme caution when removing components flagged as spyware or adware. We do not know why some of our competitors are labeling us as spyware. However, we are taking steps to urge them to immediately correct their mistakes. We encourage our users to contact us to report any other false positives," said Matina Fresenius, Panicware's co-founder and CEO.

Panicware's products, including the completely free Pop-Up Stopper, are available for immediate download at www.panicware.com. Premium versions are also available online and at retail stores. Panicware will be releasing an anti-spyware solution in 2005.

About Panicware, Inc.

Founded in 2000, Panicware, Inc. is a Seattle developer of privacy technology and Internet surfing enhancement tools. Panicware products are available via the Internet (www.panicware.com) and retail stores in the US, Canada and the United Kingdom. Contact Panicware, Inc. at media@panicware.com.