McAfee First Major Software Publisher to Deliver Software via Internet Push Technology; New SecureCast Service Provides Automated Anti-Virus Updates and News Alerts

McAfee and BackWeb Pioneer New Software Distribution Channel

SANTA CLARA, CALIF. (January 20, 1997) — McAfee (Nasdaq: MCAF) and BackWeb Technologies today began beta testing SecureCast, the world´s first software distribution service to utilize "push" technology to deliver software applications and updates directly to user desktops via web browsers. SecureCast will deliver regular updates of anti-virus technology, automatically downloaded in the background so users can continually protect their systems with the latest security software.

The service, which is initially targeted to home and small office/home office customers, will be rolled out to McAfee´s Fortune 1000 customers in February. Unlike passive forms of traditional online software distribution, in which computer users manually download software with their web browser, BackWeb´s Push technology automatically delivers software to web users without manual intervention.

"Push technology, combined with subscription licensing, will dramatically alter the way people purchase software," said Bill Larson, McAfee´s president, chairman and CEO. "Ever since 1989, McAfee has viewed software not as a static product that is sold, but as a subscription service that is continually delivered to customers. The SecureCast service takes this subscription licensing model to the next level as we provide simplified and immediate application delivery."

McAfee chose to partner with BackWeb after conducting a thorough evaluation of twelve push technology alternatives. McAfee chose BackWeb because the Company believes BackWeb´s technology is the most mature, proven and flexible.

"This historic partnership is creating a new distribution model for the software industry, and McAfee is leading the way — by leveraging its broad offline distribution channel to get customers online for automatic delivery of timely software updates and virus alerts," said Eli Barkat, CEO of BackWeb. "We´re thrilled that millions of new anti-virus customers will have easy access to BackWeb´s software and a growing list of content channels to which they can also subscribe."

How SecureCast Works
Customers can subscribe to the SecureCast service by visiting McAfee´s web site at www.mcafee.com. To subscribe, customers simply download the free SecureCast BackWeb client. Once installed, the client will automatically begin to receive InfoPaks from McAfee´s BackWeb server. The first InfoPak to arrive will allow customers to subscribe to a McAfee SecureCast "channel."

McAfee´s SecureCast service is free to any McAfee VirusScan customer, and uniquely optimized to the security needs of McAfee´s customers. SecureCast provides anti-virus signature updates, news alerts, CERT and CIAC security advisories, white papers and technical notes. Customers can specify how frequently they receive the InfoPaks.

SecureCast operates transparently in the background whenever a customer is connected to the Internet and not actively downloading pages or files. When activates, SecureCast contacts the McAfee BackWeb server, checks to see if any InfoPaks are waiting to be delivered and conducts the download.

Availability
The SecureCast beta program is now available from McAfee´s web site. In March, SecureCast agents will also be bundled in all retail boxes of VirusScan for Windows 95 and PCCrypto. McAfee will roll out a corporate SecureCast service on February 28.

About BackWeb Technologies
BackWeb Technologies is a leading offline Web software company. BackWeb extends the value of technology investments by offering mobile and remote employees offline access to portals, intranets and other Web-based applications and content. The company's products reduce network costs and improve the productivity of an increasingly mobile workforce. At the core of BackWeb's products is its patented Polite® synchronization technology that can distribute large amounts of data even over narrow bandwidth connections. BackWeb® customers include market leaders such as Boehringer Ingelheim, Centocor, Eastman Kodak, GE Healthcare, Guidant, HP, KLA Tencor, Lam Research, Pfizer and more than one hundred other companies. BackWeb also has strategic reseller alliances with software industry leaders: Plumtree, SAP and IBM. The company is headquartered in San Jose, Calif. and Rosh Ha'ayin, Israel. For more information, visit www.backweb.com or call (800) 863-0100.

Statements in this news release, which are not purely historical, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Securities laws, including statements of beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Examples of these statements include, but are not limited to, the ability of BackWeb software to allow customers to gain mobile, disconnected use of their portals and help increase field sales and field service productivity, the integration of BackWeb software with BEA products will help developers extend portal applications for offline use without changing the way they work, and the ability of the resulting applications to help field sales and service organizations realize maximum productivity, cost savings, and process acceleration gains while disconnected from the network. Actual results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include unforeseen technological issues related to use of the BackWeb software, deployment issues related to implementation, unforeseen software errors, competitive factors and business and expense factors that may affect the perceived efficiencies from use of BackWeb's products, and the risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in BackWeb's periodic reports and registration statements filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. BackWeb assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release.