National Cyber Security Alliance Executive Director Michael Kaiser Releases Statement on Partnership of Facebook and Antivirus Providers

WASHINGTON, April 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Executive Director of the National Cyber Security Alliance, Michael Kaiser, released the following statement on the partnership announced today by Facebook with leading antivirus providers:

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"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."

About The National Cyber Security Alliance
The National Cyber Security Alliance is a non-profit organization. Through collaboration with the government, corporate, non-profit and academic sectors, the mission of the NCSA is to empower a digital citizenry to use the Internet securely and safely protecting themselves and the technology they use and the digital assets we all share. NCSA works to create a culture of cyber security and safety through education and awareness activities. NCSA board members include: ADP, AT&T, Bank of America, EMC Corporation, ESET, Facebook, Google, Intel, McAfee, Microsoft, PayPal, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), Trend Micro, Symantec, Verizon and Visa. Visit www.staysafeonline.org or www.stopthinkconnect.org for more information and join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/staysafeonline. 

About STOP. THINK. CONNECT.
The campaign was developed by the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Messaging Convention, a public-private partnership established in 2009 and led by The Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) and National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) to develop and support a national cybersecurity awareness campaign.  In October 2010 the White House, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Messaging Convention launched the campaign. The Department of Homeland Security provides the Federal Government's leadership for the campaign. Industry, government, non-profits and education institutions participate in STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Learn how to get involved with the Stop. Think. Connect. Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/STOPTHINKCONNECT and the campaign website at www.stopthinkconnect.org.

SOURCE National Cyber Security Alliance