McAfee and Facebook partner to protect users and cyber space

On January 13, 2010, Facebook and McAfee (disclaimer McAfee is an NCSA Board member) announced a new partnership aimed at making the Internet more safe and secure by making available a free six month subscription to McAfee’s Internet Security Suite software to all of Facebook’s 350 million users.

Facebook users are heavily dependent on a secure and safe Internet to connect with family, friends, and colleagues and to promote causes, fan pages, and commerce. The McAfee/Facebook partnership will make available to a wide range of users across the globe a key protection that should be on every computer connected to the Internet.

NCSA defines core protections as a suite of security software, web browser, and operating system all set to update automatically. These software programs along with smart online behavior are the foundational elements of all cybersecurity efforts. NCSA’s hope is that this program will encourage people who do not have their core protections in place to bring their software tools up-to-date. The two companies will further their partnership by developing online safety educational resources for Facebook’s Security Page. If you are an active Facebook user think about becoming fan of this page. It features timely postings on security issues as well as guest blogs from the field. NCSA maintains a fan page so consider becoming a fan of ours too!

After the six-month free subscription period, Facebook users will be entitled to a discount subscription on the software. Facebook will not profit off of its users’ McAfee subscriptions.

If you haven't updated your protections do so immediately. If you are not running a suite of secuirty software or have outdated security software, you need to remedy this as soon as possible for your protection and the protection of others.

SSO (stay safe online),

Michael