Earlier this week Facebook announced a year-long partnership with security software company McAfee, making it possible for more than 350 million Facebook users to download a six-month subscription to McAfee’s security software at no cost.
In the Facebook blog announcement, the company reassures users that it is doing everything possible to make the Facebook experience safe and enjoyable. With the new McAfee partnership, users who are identified as having infected computers will be asked to run a scan before accessing Facebook. Along with standard security measures of detecting and blocking suspicious behavior, Facebook also works with third parties to get malicious sites added to browser blacklists or removed completely.
In addition to the free six-month subscription to McAfee’s security software, users who wish to continue their subscriptions will receive a special discount.
“We’re not aware of another free Internet service that takes this much responsibility for helping people keep their accounts secure,” writes Jake, project manager for the Site Integrity Team at Facebook.