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New SSH Secure Shell 2.3 Provides Backward Compatibility with SSH1 Servers to Ease Transition to the Newer More Secure IETF Endorsed SSH2 Protocol

SSH Communications Security (SSH), the world-leading developer of Internet security technologies and developer of the Secure Shell standard, today announced it has expanded its free license program for the new SSH® Secure ShellTM 2.3 products. Recognized as a de-facto standard for Internet security, Secure Shell is currently implemented by over four million commercial and non-commercial users to secure remote administration and file transfers over the Internet. In a move to provide a simple, easy transition path for users of the older SSH1 protocol to the new more secure IETF endorsed SSH2 protocol, SSH also today announced that its SSH Secure Shell 2.3 for Windows Client will ship with backward compatibility with SSH1 servers, including support for RSA's cryptographic algorithm. The new version will be available from www.ssh.com on Aug. 24, 2000. Existing licensees can download a free upgrade.

"Expanding free licensing for our advanced and fully supported SSH Secure Shell 2.3 products will allow many more users and developers to enjoy the internet security benefits of the SSH2 protocols," said George Adams, president and CEO, SSH, Inc. "We are committed to provide users and developers with state-of-the-art security products and support, and this meant expanding and further clarifying our free licensing program to help ensure and encourage wide-spread use."

The new SSH licensing agreement expands and clarifies free uses of SSH Secure Shell:

• Users of Linux, FreeBSD, NetBSD, and OpenBSD operating systems may now use SSH Secure Shell 2.3 free of charge, regardless of use.
  
• Developers of Linux, FreeBSD, NetBSD, and OpenBSD operating systems may now include SSH Secure Shell free of charge in their software distributions, providing their customers with the added value they've demanded. Qualified developers should contact SSH for a simple, royalty-free distribution license.
  
• The SSH Secure Shell 2.3 license expands free non-commercial use to include solo contractors who work for qualified non-commercial institutions such as a universities or other educational institutions in an individual capacity. SSH Secure Shell continues to be free to non-commercial users on all operating systems, including universities and other educational institutions (e.g. kindergarten, elementary, middle school/junior high, high school); non-profit organizations (e.g. public libraries, not-for-profit organizations, charitable organizations); and home users (e.g. connecting to an ISP for personal recreational, hobby, or educational use including university work, personal email, chat rooms, and entertainment).
  

The new SSH Secure Shell 2.3 for Windows Client allows users to log into servers supporting the earlier SSH1 protocol. This will make transitioning to the more secure, IETF endorsed SSH2 protocol easier and faster. SSH will continue to enhance the features and increase the functionality of its SSH Secure Shell family of products to address the immediate and future needs of both commercial and non-commercial users.

About SSH Secure Shell

Invented in 1995 by Tatu Ylönen, Secure ShellTM (also referred to as SSH, SSH1 or SSH2) is a program to log into another computer over the Internet. Secure Shell secures the connection over the Internet by encrypting passwords and other data. Once launched, it transparently provides strong authentication and secure communications over insecure networks. Benefits of the Secure Shell technology include ease-of-use, strong security and flexibility. It has become a de-facto standard for remote logins, and increasingly many organizations are completely prohibiting any other form of access to their networks from the public Internet.

Secure Shell protects terminal connections, file transfers, e-mail access, graphical X11 (X Window System) applications, and arbitrary TCP/IP connections. Its main applications include UNIX computers, system administration, Web site administration, and remote access to corporate resources over the Internet by employees or business partners. SSH Secure Shell has been adopted by major telecommunications suppliers (e.g., MCI), government agencies (e.g., NASA), universities (e.g., Harvard), networking vendors (e.g., Cisco), and numerous corporations.

For more information and a free evaluation copy of SSH Secure Shell 2.3, please go to www.ssh.com or contact SSH sales in Palo Alto, Calif., USA, at +1 650 251 2700, or Helsinki, Finland, at +358 9 8565 7180.

© 2002 SSH Communications Security Corp. All rights reserved. ssh® is a registered trademark of SSH Communications Security Corp in the United States and in certain other jurisdictions. All other names and marks are property of their respective owners.