Facebook Teams with McAfee to Allay Security Worries

Social networking giant Facebook recently reacted to critical outcries over its privacy policies—not to mention its reputation as the “worst offender” in online security threats—by teaming up with McAfee, the well-known provider of spam-swatting, malware-marauding personal computer protection packages. This deal, according to an article by Caroline McCarthy from CNET News, is a “move to show its 350 million members that it's serious about their safety.”

McCarthy explains that the move is designed to hit concern and criticism head on, saying, “The partnership comes at a time when viruses and scams on Facebook have drummed up pages' worth of bad press for the social network...The company is in need of some image repair in addition to legitimate battle plans.” Sarah Jacobsson, writing for PCWorld, calls the move “a great start,” but cautions it is “only one of many steps Facebook users will need to take to protect themselves from the myriad of tricks and traps that inhabit Facebook, including 419 ploys, phishing scams, and ID crooks.”

The immediate benefit for consumers from the Facebook and McAfee partnership includes a free six month subscription to the McAfee Internet Security Suite, and a discounted rate thereafter. Additionally, according to Jacobsson, “Back in July, Facebook created a custom service that detects if your account has been compromised by a malicious third-party via a phishing attack. Now, if that security trigger is set off, McAfee jumps into action and will prompt you to use a free McAfee Scan and Repair program...the next time you log into your Facebook account. The assumption is (that) if your Facebook account has been compromised, your PC may also be infected with malware.”

McAfee maintains its own Facebook presence and is currently celebrating its partnership with Facebook by offering a sweepstakes contest called “Rhyme Time Sweepstakes.” The grand prize is a Dell laptop computer.

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