Astaro To Provide Content Filtering For Nintendo As They Launch The Full Version Of The Internet Channel On Wii

Published 12th April 2007

Unified Threat Management (UTM) security specialist partners with Nintendo to deliver a protected surfing environment...

London and Karlsruhe (Germany), (12th April, 2007) – Astaro Corporation (www.astaro.co.uk), a leader in delivering unified threat management (UTM) security appliances, today announced that on top of parental control systems already embedded in the Wii console, it will provide a safe surfing experience for the full version of the Internet Channel on Wii, through its Astaro Wii Content Filtering Portal. By ensuring the highest level of internet security, the Astaro Wii Content Filtering Portal gives parents peace of mind when their children use the internet. This security project extends Astaro’s successful partnership with Nintendo, as both companies have teamed up before to deliver advanced filter mechanisms for the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite Browser.

The Internet Channel on Wii delivers high-speed internet access so that users can search, surf and shop in the comfort of their own home, via their television sets. The Internet Channel not only provides an enhanced and improved surfing experience, but also gives parents control over what their children will be able to view. Users are able to set a password, which in turn can be used to restrict access to the Internet Channel if desired. For users looking for even more protection, Nintendo has included a bookmark in the Wii Browser which links to the Astaro Wii Content Filtering Portal which allows innocent eyes to be shielded from inappropriate content. In addition to complete content filtering protection, it is also possible to log internet activities of younger Wii users.

By leveraging a list of 17 overall categories, Astaro’s proxy filtering system provides the option of effectively preventing children from viewing illicit material on the internet. Automatically updating newly discovered websites, Astaro filters a volume of over 3.8 billion classified internet pages, the industry’s largest and most up-to-date URL database. Through the portal users can sign up for a free trial period of Astaro’s world-class content filtering service. Once registered, they will receive a user name and password to enter into the settings of the browser. From that moment on, Astaro creates a family-safe environment for children that access the internet.

Walter Schumann, VP Marketing and Sales EMEA at Astaro, commented: "We are pleased to further strengthen our close ties with Nintendo and provide Wii users with a protected internet experience. Astaro is a leading developer of content filtering and internet security products and the functionality available through the Astaro Wii Content Filtering Portal will develop as we bring further product enhancements online. For example, we will soon add filter categorisation and white-listing to the portal, which will add greater granularity to its capabilities.”

The final version of the Internet Channel on Wii is available for free download from 12th April 2007 until 30th June 2007 after which it will cost 500 Wii Points. Once downloaded, the Internet Channel is free for the lifetime of the system. For more information on Wii Internet Channels, please visit www.wii.com

Prices for the Astaro Content Filtering Portal:
The Astaro Content Filtering Portal will be available starting 7th May 2007. As an introductory offer, there will be a one month free trial period allowing Wii customers to fully experience Astaro’s content filtering service at first hand. After that, an optional renewal subscription will cost €10 for two months, or €50 as a single payment for twelve months.

Astaro will be exhibiting at Infosec (stand D114) where spokespeople will be available to discuss this news.

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