Facebook Announces New Mobile Security Initiative
Facebook is increasing its focus on mobile security, promising to work towards a more secure platform that protects users from malicious URLs, scams and other threats.
Starting today users can download virus scan software from the likes of?vast!, AVG, Avira, Kaspersky, Panda, Total Defens and Webroot. Those programs add to the company’s computer downloads which includes software from?Microsoft, McAfee, Norton, TrendMicro and Sophos.
In an?official blog post?Facebook writes:
?As with our existing partners, these seven companies will help protect Facebook?s community of over a billion users by improving our URL blacklist system.?This system scans trillions of clicks per day, and before each click, the system consults the databases of all our AV Marketplace partners to make sure the website you are about to visit is safe.?
Facebook launched its security initiative six months ago with the hopes of lessening the reach of virus and malware programs being discovered on its network. Among the company’s initiatives is the AV Marketplace, a system that allows users to download a six-month license for the virus scan program of their choice and at no cost.?
Facebook has received more than 30 million visitors to its anti-virus marketplace since launch.
According to Facebook:
?We have implemented new phishing protections, and announced the launch of [email protected], an email address available to the public to report phishing attempts against Facebook. In July, we launched new malware checkpoints and provided users with the ability to self-enroll in these checkpoints to help keep their devices malware free.?
Facebook’s new program arrives right in the middle of Cyber Security Awareness month.