Verizon Teams Up With Nonprofit Organization StopBadware to Strengthen Protection for Internet Users

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and NEW YORK, March 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon is teaming up with nonprofit organization StopBadware to help protect Internet users from security threats like computer and mobile spyware, viruses and other malware. During the next three years, the organizations will work together on issues ranging from educating small businesses about badware to developing approaches to help smartphone phone users protect their handsets.

Badware is software that disregards -- often for criminal gain -- a user's choice about how the user's computer or network connection will be used. Some types of badware, also known as malware, can include viruses, Trojans, and spyware.

Small businesses, which typically have limited IT resources to handle security threats and online issues, should immediately benefit from the Verizon-StopBadware partnership.

"As a global leader providing secure communications services, we are committed to giving our customers the best experience possible," said Jean McManus, executive director of Verizon's Corporate Technology Organization. "Our commitment extends beyond securing our own network to helping ward off security threats for Internet users. Our corporate technology security experts will team with StopBadware to develop and distribute educational materials about security threats and building a safer Internet."

Verizon is aggressively broadening its focus on protecting computer and network-based malware and extending those protections into the mobile world. The company's relationship with StopBadware will bolster this initiative.

"The Internet is a complex ecosystem, and it's up to all of us to help make it more resistant and resilient to threats like badware," said Maxim Weinstein, executive director of StopBadware. "We look forward to drawing on Verizon's expertise to help make the Internet safer for everyone."

StopBadware has previously worked to develop transparency, educational resources and an appeals process for websites blacklisted for having badware content. The organization also will soon release a set of best practices to help Web-hosting providers address reports of badware on their networks. In addition, the organization plans to release later this month a report on the state of badware.

Verizon joins industry leaders Google, Mozilla, PayPal and Nominum in supporting StopBadware, which last year spun off from Harvard University's Berkman Center for Internet & Society.

Verizon is engaged in Internet safety on multiple fronts, providing customers with an industry-leading slate of online cybersecurity tools and education programs to empower educators, parents and children. The company has expanded its lineup of parental control tools available for free to Verizon Online and Verizon Wireless customers on the Verizon Parental Controls Center, www.verizon.net/parentalcontrol.

About StopBadware

StopBadware provides tools and information that assist industry and policymakers in meeting their responsibility to protect users from badware, and that help users protect themselves. It began as a project of the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University before spinning off as a stand-alone nonprofit organization in 2010. Corporate partners include Google, PayPal, Mozilla, Nominum and Verizon. StopBadware is based in Cambridge, Mass. For more information, visit www.stopbadware.org.

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 94.1 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 194,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

SOURCE Verizon; StopBadware