DULLES, Va. & GAITHERSBURG, Md. -- May 21, 2004 - AWS Convergence Technologies, Inc., the firm behind WeatherBug (www.WeatherBug.com) today announced that it has become a member of COAST, the Consortium of Anti-Spyware Technology Vendors.

COAST (www.coast-info.org) is a non-profit organization open to anti-spyware vendors, software developers, and researchers who share a common interest in protection against the growing spyware problem facing everyone using the Internet.

WeatherBug joins companies such as PestPatrol, Aluria, Webroot and NoAdware.net in COAST.

"We joined COAST because the organization is working hard to define an unimpeachable set of standards and a clear code of ethics by which all software developers should abide," said Andy Jedynak, Senior Vice President and General Manager, WeatherBug. "WeatherBug has long been an advocate on the anti-spyware front by publishing a crystal-clear privacy policy and by linking to spyware removal software on our Website. We now plan to take a more active role in helping consumer and business users realize how to separate firms offering safe and beneficial software from those that employ nefarious practices."

"WeatherBug, through their efforts at informed user consent, has long been a leader in anti-spyware efforts," said Matt Henne, Director of COAST. "With 32 million downloads of their popular WeatherBug program, the firm has a large body of knowledge and experience relating to consumer protection that they bring to our organization. WeatherBug has innovated in terms of informing and protecting their users, and their willingness to share this expertise gives a great boost to the COAST agenda."

"The addition of WeatherBug to the consortium is a coup," said Bob Bales, CEO of PestPatrol, Inc., a founding member of COAST. "Their anti-spyware work is well-known, and they are energetic adherents to the strictest privacy standards on the Internet."

Initial consortium projects include consumer education on the dangers of spyware and how to protect online privacy, standardizing of industry terminology, research to quantify the problem, and the creation of a code of ethics. Additionally, several well-known online brands have expressed interest in a "certified spyware-free" designation program.

COAST is funded through membership fees and fees levied for participation in various initiatives. Founding members include PestPatrol, Inc., Aluria Software LLC, and Webroot Software, Inc.

About COAST
Founded in October 2003, the Consortium for Anti-Spyware Technology vendors is devoted to raising awareness, and leading a constructive dialogue, about the dangers of spyware. COAST aims to be the definitive source for any and all information on spyware, standardized definitions, and research methods. Founding members include PestPatrol, Inc., Webroot Software, Inc., and Aluria Software LLC. Additional COAST members include AWS Convergence Technologies (WeatherBug), NoAdware.net and New.net, Inc.

Current projects include:

• Consumer education regarding spyware and related online privacy issues through an informational web site
• Research designed to answer the question "What is spyware?" once and for all, and quantify the magnitude of the problem
• Creation of an industry code of ethics to ensure consumers are provided with accurate information about spyware by consortium members.

COAST’s role is to provide vendor-neutral market research and the administrative leadership necessary to:

• standardize industry terminology
• create an industry code of ethics
• encourage software developers to create products that meet currently-accepted privacy standards.

Information on the Consortium for Anti-Spyware Technology vendors is available at http://www.coast-info.org, or by contacting consortium headquarters at info@coast-info.org.

About WeatherBug®
WeatherBug (weatherbug.com) ensures that individuals, schools, businesses and communities always get the most precise live weather conditions, the most relevant reports, and the earliest weather warnings to safeguard their property and their lives. WeatherBug owns the world's largest weather network, which has more than 7,000 live sensors and over 1,000 cameras that generate neighborhood level reports every second, not just every hour. This network powers various products and services, including: WeatherBug, the number one weather Internet application, which streams live neighborhood conditions to more than 32 million registered users; WeatherBug Media Services, which delivers live weather information to over 80 million U.S. households through partnerships with more than 100 local television stations; WeatherBug Education, which provides engaging weather information and educational tools to schools and colleges, including an online learning program for K-12 schools called WeatherBug Achieve; and WeatherBug Professional Services, which uses the company's unique weather network and software to provide high-value solutions for vertical industries such as energy, transportation, and first response. WeatherBug is a brand of AWS Convergence Technologies, Inc. (aws.com).

Press Contact:

CooperKatz & Company for AWS
Steve Rubel, 212-455-8085
srubel@cooperkatz.com

OR Matt Henne for COAST
503-642-2057
matt@coast-info.org

Lesley Weiner, 212-455-8079
lweiner@cooperkatz.com