BRANCH PROFILE
Ever bought anything online? Did you get a nervous feeling after inputting your credit card number and sending an order? Many people do and that's because the Web is not very safe. Everybody from the providers to the government can read your e-mails. Luckily there are cures such as encryption. Viruses are another source of worries. They say you need to protect yourself from viruses and that's probably true. But the biggest problem is doing secure payments over the Internet. Digital cash is a cool thing but there is no standard here.
WHY INVEST?
Corporations and consumers all need secure transactions or safe e-mail. A couple of companies have hired very smart people to provide that security and they get paid well for it. Remember the Melissa virus? It was a worldwide "success" and you can be sure that Melissa has brothers and sisters that are waiting to attack. No, this is not a threat. This is an opportunity for those anti-virus companies that hired the same smart guys to counterattack the other smart guys.
| We describe the following companies: | ||
| Logo | Ticker | Name |
 |
AXNT | Axent Technologies |
 |
CHKPF | Checkpoint Software |
 |
ISSX | ISS Group |
 |
NETA | Network Associates |
 |
RSAS | Security Dynamics |
 |
SONE | Security First |
 |
VRSN | Verisign |