Facebook Connects Members up with Anti-Virus Software
The battle against hackers and other malevolent forces on the web took a step forward this week with news that Facebook will shortly be helping users they believe are using an infected computer.
The social network will send users a message directing them to free antivirus software if they believe that their machine has been infected by a virus.
The service, called The Malware Checkpoint for Facebook, suggests users either sign up for Microsoft Security Essentials or McAfee Scan and Repair.
If you're a Mac user then Facebook direct you to an Apple Security website.
This is an extra step in the battle between Facebook and hackers. The site already notifies members if they have detected a potential malware infection on their computer and provides them with free software to clean up the infection.
The social network has now opened up its anti-malware campaign to all users in order to them them proactively protect themselves
A post on the Facebook Security page says:
If you are concerned that your device may have been infected by malware, you can visit http://on.fb.me/infectedMSE or http://on.fb.me/infectedMcA to be self-enrolled in either our Microsoft Security Essentials or McAfee Scan and Repair malware checkpoints...
1. The McAfee option will download a small program onto your Windows computer to perform a one-time scan of your system for malware. It will not interfere with your existing anti-virus or other security products. After it scans your system, it will give you the option to automatically or manually remove the files it flags as malicious.
2. The Microsoft Security Essentials option is a full anti-virus product. Upon download and install, it will add anti-virus software to your computer that will continue to protect your system with the latest anti-virus signatures from Microsoft.
Is this a welcome intervention by Facebook or an unwanted invasion of privacy?
Follow Technorati