NETGEAR INTRODUCES NEW ARMOR SECURITY SERVICE TO SAFEGUARD HOME WIFI NETWORKS AND CONNECTED DEVICES

LAS VEGAS — January 8, 2018 — NETGEAR®, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTGR), the worldwide leader in home networking and smart home security products, is launching a new comprehensive security service to provide security for any device connected via a NETGEAR router. NETGEAR Armor™ powered by Bitdefender® the award-winning leader in cyber security, is an advanced multilayer solution that runs on NETGEAR routers and connected devices to actively detect and protect your home and family members from cyber threats, such as viruses, spyware, spam, and phishing. 

To be first introduced on the Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi router (R7000P) later this quarter, NETGEAR Armor will be made available for the Orbi Whole Home WiFi system and the popular Nighthawk performance routers later in the year via firmware updates. The NETGEAR Armor firmware update provides central security to instantly protect all PCs, Macs, smart phones and tablets, and smart home devices from cyber threats. The subscription will also bundle Bitdefender Total Security anti-malware [1] software for Windows, MacOS, iOS and Android devices, all under a single subscription. This new security service will block, at the gateway, attempts to access phishing websites from within the home network so that your privacy and data is always protected. Network security has become an area of increasingly greater concern with the addition of smart home and IoT devices to the home network, which are always on and always connected introducing new potential vulnerabilities. While PC, security has long been a mainstay of the office and home, the multitude of connected devices now available pose new, potential security risks for consumers. 

“The need for an all-encompassing cybersecurity solution for the home is more critical than ever.” said Ciprian Istrate, Bitdefender’s vice president of Consumer Solutions. “After launching the first home cyber security solution that can protect connected devices that fall under the umbrella of Internet of Things, Bitdefender is now taking consumer cyber security to the next level with NETGEAR delivering the protection straight from the router." 

NETGEAR Armor has the features that one would need to keep a home network and all connected IoT, smart home and personal mobile devices safe and secure from anywhere in the world. NETGEAR Armor consists the following: 

Safe Browsing with URL Blocking

With NETGEAR Armor, you actively safeguard your network from threats, including Trojans, ransomware, zero-day exploits, rootkits and spyware. Fake websites trying to steal financial data such as passwords or credit card numbers are automatically blocked, as are malicious links in browsers, emails, or apps. You can even find out whether your search results are safe to access before you actually click on a link, as you’ll be warned against websites that can leak login credentials if the authentication is not performed via https. 

Vulnerability Assessment

NETGEAR Armor quickly scans your network for connected devices open to unauthorized access, data theft or malicious attacks. It checks for password strength, firmware version and any weakness that can allow hackers access to your entire home network. It’s easy to run a thorough report that includes tips for eliminating specific vulnerabilities, or to simply check the status of your devices and address any issues then and there.

Intelligent Network Intrusion Prevention

NETGEAR Armor blocks hackers from accessing your smart-home devices such as internet-enabled thermostats, refrigerators, baby monitors, and security cameras. You’ll receive instant alerts when new devices join your network, so you can immediately reject WiFi access request for devices you don’t recognize. For ultimate convenience, you can easily manage your network security from anywhere by going to http://armor.netgear.com. 

End-point Protection with Bitdefender Total Security

NETGEAR Armor includes Bitdefender Total Security anti-malware for Android, iOS, Windows PCs, and Macs whether at home or anywhere.  Using intelligent behavioral detection, NETGEAR Armor closely monitors all active apps and the moment the service detects suspicious activity, it takes instant action to prevent trouble, as it is designed to respond within three seconds to even the newest known threats. By turning on the optional Autopilot™ feature, all cybersecurity decisions can be made without pop-ups or dialog boxes to distract you from your work or play. 

“For over 20 years, NETGEAR has led the industry as the best in class WiFi provider and has been first to market in providing new technologies for both home and office networks.  Now, with the introduction of NETGEAR Armor, we are making the network smarter and safer for the new world of IoT and always connected devices,” said David Henry, senior vice president of Connected Home for NETGEAR.  “This move is critical for our customers whose homes now have many networked devices, including Smart Home and IOT devices – any one of which may pose a potential security risk.    Following on our recent launch of Circle with Disney Parental Controls, NETGEAR Armor is the next in a line of services we are introducing to enhance our customer’s experience with their network.”  

Additional Features

• Shield your network from malicious encryption programs that demand ransom for your personal data.

•           Manage and configure every device connecting or attempting to connect to the network.

•          Get instant notifications when new devices connect to your network.

•          Assess your WiFi network and router security from remote computers and smartphones.

•          Secure your passwords, credit card information, and other sensitive data in a cyber-vault for easy access.

•          Bank and shop with Safepay™, a unique, dedicated browser that secures your transactions.

•         Continuous and automatic security updates. 

NETGEAR Armor protects home networks without sacrificing network speed, performance or privacy. The service scans your network, identifying every device connected to it. Scanning is fast and light on resources as it mostly occurs in the cloud to maximize power and efficiency. Home routers and personal devices are rarely taxed to perform power-hungry or processor-intensive tasks. And the service never scans or stores the actual contents of any documents or files. 

Pricing and Availability

NETGEAR Armor powered by Bitdefender will first be available via firmware upgrade on Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi router (R7000P) later this quarter and will be available in the coming months via firmware updates for Orbi and the current lineup of Nighthawk routers. After the promotional 90 days of free service, the annual subscription cost is $69.99 (USD). 

About NETGEAR, Inc.

NETGEAR (NASDAQ: NTGR) is a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers. The Company's products are built on a variety of proven technologies such as wireless (WiFi and LTE), Ethernet and powerline, with a focus on reliability and ease-of-use. The product line consists of wired and wireless devices that enable networking, broadband access and network connectivity. These products are available in multiple configurations to address the needs of the end-users in each geographic region in which the Company's products are sold. NETGEAR products are sold in approximately 30,000 retail locations around the globe, and through approximately 25,000 value-added resellers, as well as multiple major cable, mobile and wireline service providers around the world. The company's headquarters are in San Jose, Calif., with additional offices in approximately 25 countries. More information is available from the NETGEAR investor page or by calling (408) 907-8000. Connect with NETGEAR on Twitter, Facebook and our blog. 

©2018 NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo, and NETGEAR Armor are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. Other brand and product names are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holder(s). The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. NETGEAR shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. All rights reserved.

Bitdefender, Bitdefender Autopilot, Bitdefender Anti-Theft and SafePay are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Bitdefender. 

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for NETGEAR, Inc.: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Specifically, statements concerning NETGEAR's business and the expected performance characteristics, specifications, reliability, market acceptance, market growth, specific uses, user feedback and market position of NETGEAR's products and technology are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the following: the actual price, performance and ease-of-use of NETGEAR's products may not meet the price, performance and ease-of-use requirements of customers; product performance may be adversely affected by real world operating conditions; failure of products may under certain circumstances cause permanent loss of end user data; new viruses or Internet threats may develop that challenge the effectiveness of security features in NETGEAR's products; the ability of NETGEAR to market and sell its products and technology; the impact and pricing of competing products; and the introduction of alternative technological solutions. Further information on potential risk factors that could affect NETGEAR and its business are detailed in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. NETGEAR undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Source: NETGEAR-G 

U.S. Media Contact: Nathan Papadopulos, (408) 890-3889, NPapadopulos@netgear.com

U.S. Sales Inquiries: (408) 907-8000, sales@netgear.com

U.S. Customer Inquiries: (888) NETGEAR