Monster Worldwide Announces Comprehensive Steps to Protect All of Its Job Seekers from Online Fraud



    Monster Worldwide (NASDAQ: MNST) announced today that it is
    proactively notifying all job seekers with an active resume on Monster
    sites about preventative measures they can take to protect themselves
    from online fraud. Additionally, the Company has announced it will
    institute a comprehensive set of new systems and processes designed to
    enhance existing security and minimize such threats in the future.

    As recently reported, Monster became aware of illegal activity
    that involved the downloading of information such as names, addresses,
    phone numbers, and email addresses for 1.3 million job seekers with
    resumes posted on Monster.com. Monster does not generally collect
    social security numbers or financial data about its job seekers, such
    as bank account information or credit card accounts. Monster responded
    by conducting a comprehensive review of internal processes and
    procedures, and notified these job seekers that their contact records
    had been downloaded illegally. In addition, the Company is working
    with law enforcement officials and the appropriate regulatory
    agencies.

    The Company has determined that this was not an isolated incident.
    As is the case with many companies that maintain large databases of
    information, Monster is from time to time subject to illegal attempts
    to extract information from its database. Despite ongoing analysis,
    the scope of this illegal activity is impossible to pinpoint. Monster
    believes illegally downloaded contact information may be used to lure
    job seekers into opening a "phishing" email that attempts to acquire
    sensitive financial information. This has been the case in similar
    attacks on other Web sites.

    To enhance the security of the job seekers on its site, Monster is
    proactively reaching out to all users who have resumes posted to
    inform them about preventative measures they can take to protect
    themselves from online fraud. While no company can completely prevent
    unauthorized access to data, Monster believes that by reaching out to
    users, the company can help users better defend themselves against
    those who have attacked Monster as well as other databases.

    "Protecting the job seekers who use our Web site is a top priority
    at Monster," said Sal Iannuzzi, Chairman and CEO of Monster Worldwide.
    "These issues are increasingly prevalent throughout the Internet,
    which is why Monster is enhancing its security and reaching out to
    everyone with an active resume on our site. We believe these actions
    are the responsible steps to protect our valued job seekers and
    customers."

    Monster also launched a series of initiatives it is taking to
    enhance security controls for its Web site. These initiatives are part
    of the infrastructure improvements that were announced by Monster
    before the recently reported attack. The initiatives include:

    -- Implementing new robust capabilities for worldwide monitoring
    and surveillance of site traffic

    -- Reviewing and tightening all site access policies and controls

    -- Launching a series of targeted initiatives to protect job
    seeker contact information

    In addition, the Company has augmented its Web Site Security Task
    Force by adding executive level staff, and going forward the task
    force will report directly to the Chairman and CEO. The Company has
    also engaged several industry security experts with proven track
    records of successfully working with global Internet companies to
    protect their users.

    Finally, Monster is committed to maintaining an ongoing dialogue
    with its job seekers and customers about Internet security and the
    steps it is taking to protect its users. The Company has placed a
    security alert on the Monster.com site that offers an abundance of
    information to educate users about online fraud and the measures they
    can take to protect themselves. This information can be found at
    http://help.monster.com/besafe/.

    About Monster Worldwide

    Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: MNST), parent company of
    Monster(R), the premier global online employment solution for more
    than a decade, strives to bring people together to advance their
    lives. With a local presence in key markets in North America, Europe,
    and Asia, Monster works for everyone by connecting employers with
    quality job seekers at all levels and by providing personalized career
    advice to consumers globally. Through online media sites and
    services, Monster delivers vast, highly targeted
    audiences to advertisers. Monster Worldwide is a member of the S&P 500
    Index and the NASDAQ 100. To learn more about Monster's
    industry-leading products and services, visit www.monster.com. More
    information about Monster Worldwide is available at
    www.monsterworldwide.com.

    Special Note: Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities
    Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Except for historical information
    contained herein, the statements made in this release constitute
    forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
    Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act
    of 1934. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and
    uncertainties, including statements regarding Monster Worldwide,
    Inc.'s strategic direction, prospects and future results. Certain
    factors, including factors outside of Monster Worldwide's control, may
    cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the
    forward-looking statements, including economic and other conditions in
    the markets in which Monster Worldwide operates, risks associated with
    acquisitions, competition, seasonality and the other risks discussed
    in Monster Worldwide's Form 10-K and other filings made with the
    Securities and Exchange Commission.