CybersecurityFacebook, antivirus providers in Internet security campaign

The executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance, Michael Kaiser, released the following statement on the partnership announced the other day by Facebook with leading antivirus providers:

“I applaud the initiative taken by Facebook and partners Microsoft, McAfee, Symantec, Trend Micro, and Sophos on their forward-thinking approach to making it easier for Facebook users to stay safer and more secure online.  Helping computer users avoid websites that are known to distribute malware or steal personal information and providing them with easy access to robust security software is a tremendous service.  Any infected computer is a risk to other computers on the Internet.

“Therefore, this effort will have a positive impact well beyond the Facebook community. We hope others will take notice of this collaborative effort and think about creative ways they can work together to implement cybersecurity solutions.

“We all need to share the responsibility for keeping the Internet safer and more secure. For computer users, keeping a clean machine with a current security software package, updated software, and a modern web browser is a security essential. The STOP. THINK. CONNECT. campaign, a collaborative effort between government and industry, lays out important tips for all users to connect safely. Through STOP. THINK. CONNECT. users can be sure they have done what they need to do, are aware of the potential consequences of their actions, and can proceed across the Internet with confidence and peace of mind.”