The intent of the Segura-based EWS was to provide each other information on new threats and potential issues before they are filtered through the virus labs and public relations arms at anti-virus companies.

"For the first time ever, I know about some viruses before the vendors do. This enables me to devise defence strategies which stop the viruses dead in their tracks, even before our vendors can publish new definition files." said Paul L. Schmehl, Supervisor, Support Services, The University of Texas at Dallas.

The EWS was one of the first projects put in place by the Anti-Virus Information Exchange Network. The AVIEN was formed late  last year and comprises security specialists at major organizations world-wide. Members of the AVIEN share information about viruses,  anti-virus software, and real-world solutions to virus issues.

"This is the first time that the user community has banded together  to discuss and deal with these problems. The people in AVIEN are all from the user side of the virus equation, dealing with this  problem every day. There is an enormous wealth of knowledge about viruses and anti-virus software that was previously untapped;  the AVIEN embodies that knowledge." said Robert Vibert,   Moderator of AVIEN.

The EWS is hosted for AVIEN by Segura Solutions. Membership in  the EWS is available to any organization for the modest sum of US$99 per year for each two participants. The Segura EWS is not designed to replace existing services from commercial security organizations, but acts as a supplementary source of information on fast-breaking threats.