Cablevision Offers Powerful Online Security Tools to Optimum Online(R) High-Speed Internet Customers at No Additional Charge

Cablevision Offers Powerful Online Security Tools to Optimum Online(R) High-Speed Internet Customers at No Additional Charge

Complimentary Antivirus, Firewall and Parental Control Software From Computer Associates Available to Optimum Online Customers at OptOnline.Net Consumer Portal

BETHPAGE, N.Y., Dec. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cablevision's Optimum Online, the New York metropolitan area's fastest and most reliable high-speed Internet service for the home, today announced that it was making a full suite of powerful online security tools available to its growing base of customers at no additional charge. Now available to Optimum Online customers as free downloads at the OptOnline.Net consumer portal are antivirus, firewall and parental control software from Computer Associates International, Inc. (NYSE: CA) -- advanced tools with a combined retail value of nearly $50 that provide an essential level of protection by detecting and eliminating viruses, safeguarding computers from hackers and helping to keep children safe online.

Optimum Online recently received the highest overall rating by the readers of PC Magazine in the publication's 17th Annual Reader Satisfaction Survey for Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Named the fastest and most reliable broadband ISP in the nation, Optimum Online was also awarded a coveted PC Magazine 2004 Readers' Choice Award as part of the survey.

Cablevision's Optimum Online was one of the first high-speed Internet providers to recognize the importance of Internet safety and security, and has been offering firewall and antivirus security software to its customers at a significant discount since March 2002.

"Internet security has always been a primary focus for Optimum Online, which is why we were one of the first Internet service providers to make online security tools easily accessible to our customers," said Patricia Gottesman, Cablevision's executive vice president of consumer product management and marketing. "Today we are pleased to announce that we are making these important security tools available to our more than 1.25 million high-speed Internet customers as a value-added enhancement at no additional cost. We think this is an important step that will protect our customers and further Optimum Online's role as a trusted technology advisor helping to make using the Internet safe, effortless and enjoyable."

Based on enterprise-class security technology, CA's eTrust suite of consumer security products is designed to dramatically improve the safety of individual home PC use and greatly limit possible online threats. The integrated set includes:

* eTrust(TM) EZ Antivirus(TM) 2005 - Detects and eliminates viruses, worms
and Trojan horses. Also includes automatic virus updates and advanced
email attachment protection. Suggested retail price: $29.95.

* eTrust(TM) EZ Firewall(TM) 2005 - Protects PC and personal files from
hackers and unauthorized visitors through three available security
settings. Suggested retail price: $39.95.

* eTrust(TM) EZ Armor(TM) 2005 - Combines EZ Antivirus, EZ Firewall and
Parental Controls for all-inclusive protection that immediately blocks
inappropriate Web content from 35 selectable content categories to help
keep kids safe online. Suggested retail price: $49.95.



"Effective, easy-to-use security is vital to ensure that the growing number of consumer broadband users can fully and safely enjoy all the benefits of high-speed Internet access," said George Kafkarkou, senior vice president of CA's Consumer and SMB Channels. "By delivering this critical security functionality, CA's eTrust consumer suite of products is ideal for addressing the needs of Optimum Online customers."

The availability of this robust security software is one of a number of recent value-added enhancements to Optimum Online, including a 40 percent increase in average downstream speeds, while the maximum downstream speed remains 10 megabits per second. Optimum Online is more than triple the speed of DSL and more than 150 times faster than dial-up Internet access. This level of performance has supported the development and continued enhancement of Optimum Online's consumer portal, OptOnline.Net, which provides a gateway to the very best in broadband content, multimedia programming, local information, convenient access to round-the-clock award-winning technical support and essential security tools for customers to keep their computer, information and family safe online.

The Optimum Online customer base has nearly doubled over the past two years, from 680,000 in September 2002 to more than 1.25 million on September 30, 2004. Average customer penetration of homes-passed across Cablevision's service area continues to lead the industry at more than 28 percent, with penetration rates exceeding 50 percent in mature markets including areas of Long Island, Connecticut, New Jersey and Westchester. Across Cablevision's service area, three out of four broadband customers choose Optimum Online.

About Computer Associates

Computer Associates International, Inc. (NYSE:CA), the world's largest management software company, delivers software and services across operations, security, storage, life cycle and service management to optimize the performance, reliability and efficiency of enterprise IT environments. Founded in 1976, CA is headquartered in Islandia, N.Y., and serves customers in more than 140 countries. For more information, please visit http://ca.com/.

About Cablevision

Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE:CVC) is one of the nation's leading entertainment and telecommunications companies. Its cable television operations serve more than 3 million households in the New York metropolitan area. The company's advanced telecommunications offerings include its iO: Interactive Optimum digital television offering, Optimum Online high-speed Internet service, Optimum Voice digital voice-over-cable service, and its Lightpath integrated business communications services. Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings LLC operates several successful programming businesses, including AMC, IFC, WE and other national and regional networks. Rainbow also is a 50 percent partner in Fox Sports Net. In 2003, Cablevision's Rainbow DBS launched its VOOM satellite service, the first service to offer a comprehensive array of high-definition (HD) television programming. In addition to its telecommunications and programming businesses, Cablevision is the controlling owner of Madison Square Garden and its sports teams, the New York Knicks, Rangers and Liberty. The company also operates New York's famed Radio City Music Hall, and owns and operates Clearview Cinemas. Additional information about Cablevision Systems Corporation is available on the Web at http://www.cablevision.com/.


Source: Cablevision Systems Corporation

CONTACT: Jim Maiella for Cablevision Systems Corporation,
+1-516-803-3947

Web site: http://www.cablevision.com/
http://ca.com/


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