Intel AnyPoint Connectivity Suite Adds Internet Firewall, Parental Control

Intel Corporation is now shipping the new AnyPoint Connectivity Software Suite with all AnyPoint Home Network products. The Connectivity Suite now integrates firewall security that helps prevent hackers from accessing home PCs via the Internet. The suite's parental control feature provides both automatic and manual options to help prevent viewing of objectionable websites from every PC on the home network.
The Connectivity Suite also includes new entertainment features such as the AnyPoint Intercom that enables voice communication between PCs on the home network, a jukebox designed to distribute digital music among the networked PCs, and a head-to-head multi-player game. All these features are incorporated into a simplified graphical user interface.

The Connectivity Suite works with all current AnyPoint Home Network products. Existing customers can upgrade their AnyPoint software free of charge by visiting www.intel.com/anypoint.

"The AnyPoint Connectivity Software Suite is our greatest product differentiator," said Dan Sweeney, general manager of Intel's Home Networking Operation. "The new Internet firewall and parental control functions are designed to address customer concerns about Internet security and content."

Strong consumer demand for home networking is being driven by the rapid growth of Internet connections and multiple PC households. Over 68 million U.S. households will have Internet access by 2003, according to research firm Jupiter Communications. The number of multiple PC households will top 31 million by 2003, according to a recent Cahners In-Stat Group report.

The AnyPoint Home Network product line is the most comprehensive line of home network products available today, featuring both wireless and phoneline solutions that enable a single Internet connection to be used simultaneously at multiple connected PCs. The products also enable printer and file sharing, and multi-player gaming among networked PCs in the home.

AnyPoint products are compatible with both dial-up and high-speed Internet access such as digital subscriber line (DSL) and cable modems, and fulfill a key part of Intel's vision of the e-Home, where the Internet becomes a utility that is available anywhere in the home through a range of devices. The AnyPoint Home Network product line supports a broad range of PCs, from Intel486(TM) processor-based PCs, up through the latest Intel Pentium(R) III processor-based PCs, and operating systems ranging from Windows 95 to the upcoming Windows Me (Millennium Edition). www.intel.com/anypoint

Source: Intel