NETGEAR® Supports California’s New “WiFi User Protection Bill”

NETGEAR’s Smart Wizard® Install Assistant and “Touchless” WiFi Security Enable Consumers to Easily Protect Themselves from Unauthorized Access to their Wireless Networks

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — October 9, 2006 — NETGEAR®, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTGR), a worldwide provider of technologically advanced, branded networking products, today released a statement in response to the signing into law of the “WiFi User Protection Bill” by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The bill, AB 2415, seeks to prevent “piggybacking,” or unauthorized sharing of wireless access, by requiring that manufacturers include security warnings on wireless networking devices to advise consumers how to protect their network connections. With its unique Smart Wizard Install Assistant and innovative “Touchless” WiFi security, NETGEAR products are already designed to meet the basic requirements of the bill and make it easier for consumers to enable security. Expected to affect all products manufactured after October 2007, the WiFi User Protection Bill received overwhelming support by representatives in both assembly houses.

NETGEAR’s chief executive officer, Patrick Lo supports the legislation, commenting: “Protecting the security of our customers’ networks is of utmost importance to NETGEAR. We strive to make it as easy as possible for consumers to understand and implement security settings, and work to make it simpler with each successive product generation.”

According to the official statement by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, the bill’s proponent, most consumers are unaware of the risks involved with using unsecured wireless connections — unknowingly exposing themselves to the threat of hackers by allowing unauthorized access to their personal information on their small office, home office or residential networks. This measure requires that manufacturers warn consumers of the vulnerability of their private information if they do not take advantage of the manufacturer’s security features.

With the passage of this bill, manufacturers are to advise consumers of security risks by providing warning labels on WiFi network devices sold after October 2007 in one of the following ways: by attaching a warning sticker that must be removed by the consumer in order to use the device; or including a security warning in the configuration process; or warning consumers and requiring them to take action in order to use the device; or providing protection through another process that automatically secures the connection without consumer action.

With NETGEAR’s exclusive Touchless WiFi Security, users can be confident that their wireless networks are safe. Touchless WiFi Security guides consumers through the simple setup of standards-based wireless security, enabling them to securely connect all of their wireless clients. NETGEAR’s routers are already powerfully safeguarded against unauthorized network access with WPA2-PSK (WiFi Protected Access - Pre-Shared Key), WPA-PSK, and WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy).

Included in all NETGEAR routers, the popular NETGEAR Smart Wizard Install Assistant simplifies the process of connecting networking equipment to the Internet. Smart Wizard guides users through each step of the router setup process with easy-to-follow graphical instructions, automatically detecting and configuring any NETGEAR router to provide the user with the best ISP connection settings for optimal performance and security. Combined with NETGEAR’s innovative Touchless WiFi Security, Smart Wizard Install Assistant makes connecting to secure wireless networks simple and fast.

About NETGEAR®, Inc.
NETGEAR® (Nasdaq: NTGR) designs technologically advanced, branded networking products that address the specific needs of small and medium business and home users. The Company's product offerings enable users to share Internet access, peripherals, files, digital multimedia content and applications among multiple personal computers and other Internet-enabled devices. NETGEAR is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.netgear.com or call (408) 907-8000.

©2006 NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR®, the NETGEAR logo and Smart Wizard are trademarks or registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for NETGEAR, Inc.:
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Specifically, statements concerning expected performance characteristics, specifications, market acceptance, market growth, specific uses, user feedback and market position of NETGEAR’s products and technology are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the following: the actual price, performance and ease of use of NETGEAR’s products may not meet the price, performance and ease of use requirements of end-users; the performance of NETGEAR’s products may be adversely affected by real world network, environmental and operating conditions; there is no assurance that NETGEAR’s products will be able to safeguard end-users against all unauthorized network access; the ability of NETGEAR to market and sell its products and technology; the impact and pricing of competing products; and the introduction of alternative technological solutions. Further information on potential risk factors that could affect NETGEAR and its business are detailed in the Company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, those risks and uncertainties listed in the section entitled “Part II - Item 1A. Risk Factors,” pages 30 through 39, in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 2, 2006, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 11, 2006. NETGEAR undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

For more information:

Doug Hagan
Director, Corporate Marketing
NETGEAR, Inc.
(408) 907-8053
doug.hagan@netgear.com

Lisa Hawes
Account Supervisor
Sterling Communications
(408) 395-5500 x227
lhawes@sterlingpr.com