Facebook Partners With McAfee For Security

Considering that 50% of internet users do not subscribe to virus protection and that 78% of those who have it do not update their programs, it has resulted in a “huge rise in malware worldwide over the past 12 months, probably more than the previous five years combined”, according to David DeWalt, McAfee’s chief executive.

McAfee has stepped in and made a deal with Facebook to provide a free six-month trial of their Internet Security Suite to each of Facebook’s 350 million users, with a discounted rate offered after the six months. Also included is a Scan and Repair tool to clean PCs after a virus attack and to remove malicious code before accessing the Facebook account. The danger is that the viruses can spread throughout the global network, sending messages to all of a person’s friends, who are then encouraged to access sites that will attack them as well.

Facebook will also have a page with tips on how to spot messages that are suspicious. There are hundreds of scams because posters tend to give out personal information and provide information such as passwords and bank and credit card information when presented with “phishing scams” that appear to be legitimate messages from the bank or credit card company.