Norton Safe Web for Facebook Application Passes the Million User Mark

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., July 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Norton by Symantec (Nasdaq: SYMC) today announced that its Safe Web for Facebook application, a free tool to let Facebook users know if links are safe before clicking on them, has surpassed one million users less than a year after its initial launch.

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Norton Safe Web for Facebook protects users by scanning their news feeds and identifying URLs containing security risks such as phishing sites, malicious downloads and links to unsafe external sites.

"There is an inherent atmosphere of trust on social networking sites, where we're all constantly sharing information and links with friends, family and coworkers," said Marian Merritt, Norton Internet Safety Advocate. "Cybercriminals have been quick to capitalize on this aspect by figuring out ways to inject fraudulent or malicious links into people's newsfeeds so that they appear to be from a trusted source. Our free application makes it easy to prevent that one wrong click which could put you in the crosshairs of a cybercriminal."

In the last year, Norton has seen threats focusing on social networking sites rise and is detecting more than a quarter of a million malicious links each year with Norton Safe Web for Facebook.

"Norton Safe Web for Facebook is currently scanning an average of 3.5 million URLs daily – about 100 million every month, and we're gaining about eight thousand new users every day," said Jens Meggers, Senior Vice President Engineering, Norton by Symantec. "We've maintained a high user rating by ensuring it is a quick and easy way to save users from spamming their friends or infecting their own computers with malicious applications."  

For more ways to stay safe online and to get regular updates on the latest threats, consumers can visit Norton's Fan Page, which is also currently showcasing the "Captain America Cyberevil Challenge Sweepstakes." Fans of Norton could win a VIP trip to a future Marvel movie premiere, the actual shield used in "Captain America: The First Avenger," in theaters July 22, and more. Full contest rules can be found at http://nortoncaptainamerica.prizelogic.com/rules.html

Pricing and Availability

Norton Safe Web for Facebook is available for free to all Facebook users by clicking here.

About Norton by Symantec

Symantec's Norton products protect consumers from cybercrime with technologies like antivirus, anti-spyware and phishing protection -- while also being light on system resources.  The company also provides services such as online backup, PC tuneup, and family online safety.  Like Norton on Facebook at www.facebook.com/norton and follow @NortonOnline on Twitter.

About Symantec

Symantec is a global leader in providing security, storage and systems management solutions to help consumers and organizations secure and manage their information-driven world. Our software and services protect against more risks at more points, more completely and efficiently, enabling confidence wherever information is used or stored. More information is available at www.symantec.com.

Forward Looking Statements:  Any forward-looking indication of plans for products is preliminary and all future release dates are tentative and are subject to change.  Any future release of the product or planned modifications to product capability, functionality or feature are subject to ongoing evaluation by Symantec, and may or may not be implemented and should not be considered firm commitments by Symantec and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions.  

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SOURCE Norton by Symantec