Release Details

Award-winning Solution Provides Flexible VPN Connectivity With Reliable IPSec-based Security Services

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Feb. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SonicWALL, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNWL), a leading provider of integrated security, productivity and mobility solutions, today announced that Rent-A-Center Inc., (Nasdaq: RCII) the largest rent-to-own operator in the United States, has completed its deployment of a national, secure wireless network featuring the SonicWALL SOHO TZW. SonicWALL partner High Touch, Inc. has installed a total of 2,564 SOHO TZW wireless security appliances at Rent-A-Center retail stores across the nation.

Rent-A-Center launched the network to provide its local retail outlets with secure Internet-based connectivity back to the home office. "With our new network, our stores are directly communicating inventory and sales data to our own central database, providing the company with up-to-date information for our business planning processes," said Roscoe Wasco, chief information officer for Rent-A-Center. "Plus, by implementing a wireless solution, we are also able to coordinate sales transactions in-store with independent kiosks and the main customer counter. Our sales co-workers now have all the necessary information to provide customers with timely, knowledgeable service. SonicWALL's solution has not only improved communications for the company but has enhanced our business productivity."

"The successful deployment of such a large wireless network is a strong indicator that enterprise wireless has arrived," said Jeff Wilson, principal analyst: VPNs and security, Infonetics Research. "Wireless security concerns have been addressed by products like the SonicWALL SOHO TZW, so now companies are starting to take note of the business benefits offered by a secure, wireless network."

The Rent-A-Center wireless network is jointly managed by Rent-A-Center and High Touch, Inc. personnel using SonicWALL's renowned Global Management System (GMS). SonicWALL GMS provides Rent-A-Center network administrators with a central management tool for configuring VPN tunnels, creating policies on the network such as security levels and information access and monitoring network resources.

"We are extremely pleased that Rent-A-Center has its new wireless network up and running," said Matthew Medeiros, SonicWALL president and CEO. "The network was brought online at an impressive rate of up to 100 stores per day, and installation went very smoothly. This type of success is proof that the SonicWALL solution is the optimal choice for retail chains looking for a progressive wireless network."

The Award-Winning SOHO TZW: Wireless Innovation and Value

The SonicWALL SOHO TZW integrates secure wireless, firewall and VPN technologies, delivering the convenience of both wireless and wired connectivity in one easy-to-use solution for small to medium-sized networks. With the SOHO TZW, network administrators have the flexibility to create multiple trusted zones of access, providing an unprecedented level of control without compromising network security.

About Rent-A-Center Inc.

Rent-A-Center Inc., headquartered in Plano, Texas currently operates 2,647 company-owned stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico. The stores generally offer high-quality, durable goods such as home electronics, appliances, computers, and furniture and accessories to consumers under flexible rental purchase agreements that generally allow the customer to obtain ownership of the merchandise at the conclusion of an agreed-upon rental period. ColorTyme, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is a national franchiser of 329 rent-to-own stores, 317 of which operate under the trade name of "ColorTyme," and the remaining 12 of which operate under the "Rent-A-Center" name. For more information about Rent-A-Center, visit the Web site at www.rentacenter.com.

About High Touch, Inc.

High Touch, Inc. is a leading provider of software, hardware, and automation services for the Rent-to-Own, Education, and Payday Advance Industries. The company's software is currently used to manage more than 3900 Rent-to-Own stores in the US, Canada, and US Territories. High Touch, Inc. is headquartered in Wichita, KS and is employee-owned. For more information, contact High Touch at 316-832-1611 or visit the company web site at www.hightouchinc.com/ .

About SonicWALL, Inc.

SonicWALL, Inc. is a leading provider of integrated network security, mobility, and productivity solutions for the SMB, enterprise, e-commerce, education, healthcare, retail/point-of-sale, and government markets. Core technologies include firewall, VPN, wireless, SSL, anti-virus, and content filtering, along with award-winning security management solutions. Together, these products and technologies provide the most comprehensive Distributed Security Architecture available. SonicWALL, Inc. is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA. SonicWALL trades on the NASDAQ exchange under the symbol SNWL. For more information, contact SonicWALL at 408-745-9600 or visit the company web site at http://www.sonicwall.com/ .

Safe Harbor Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements regarding the performance capabilities of the SOHO TZW and our Global Management System, the ability of our products to improve our customers' productivity, our ability to provide wireless network solutions to additional retail customers, and the adoption of wireless technology. These forward- looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the time the statements are made and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. In addition, please see the "Risk Factors" described in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 and Form 10-Q for subsequent periods, for a more detailed description of the risks facing our business. All forward-looking statements included in this release are based upon information available to SonicWALL as of the date of the release, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statement. NOTE: SonicWALL is a registered trademark of SonicWALL, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

SOURCE SonicWALL, Inc.

CONTACT: Kristin Fabos of SonicWALL, Inc., +1-408-962-7108, or
kfabos@sonicwall.com; or Diane Ugolik of SHIFT Communications,
+1-415-591-8403, or dugolik@shiftcomm.com, for SonicWALL, Inc.