Verizon to Provide Upgraded Internet Security Suite Powered by McAfee

NEW YORK, Jan. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon announced Wednesday (Jan. 20) that it is joining with McAfee to make available an upgraded Verizon Internet Security Suite (VISS) to Verizon's more than 9 million FiOS Internet and High Speed Internet customers, as well as other U.S. consumer and small-business broadband users.

"Our award-winning Internet security suite now becomes even more powerful with world-class security technology from McAfee," said Eric Bruno, Verizon vice president for product management.  "We're excited to work with McAfee to provide VISS subscribers with an enhanced, robust security solution that simplifies online protection at home and in the small-business office."

Todd Gebhart, McAfee executive vice president and general manager - consumer, mobile and small business, said, "Working with Verizon gives us an opportunity to reach more than 9 million Internet users who need protection from the growing volume and sophistication of threats.  We look forward to a long relationship that provides Verizon's users with the best technology and security products so that they can enjoy a safer online experience."

Verizon is the only Internet service provider to offer broadband customers a combination of McAfee's Internet Security tools, which exclusively includes McAfee Family Protection and SiteAdvisor technology in a bundled Internet security suite.  In addition, Verizon Internet Security Suite customers will have first-in-market access to enhancements to the McAfee services.

Along with McAfee's powerful two-way firewall, anti-spam, anti-virus and anti-spyware protection tools, the new VISS service provides consumer and small-business customers with the following features:

• McAfee Active Protection™ technology – Provides customers immediate protection from threats by analyzing and blocking the threats within milliseconds of their arrival on customers' PCs, rather than waiting for scheduled threat updates.
• SiteAdvisor technology – An award-winning Web site safety adviser that helps customers search and conduct online transactions by providing color-coded safety ratings for Web sites, warning customers of risky sites that could jeopardize their privacy and their home or business computer, and helping them search and conduct online transactions more safely.
• Home Network Manager – Detects new devices and alerts the customer when those devices connect to their home network.
• McAfee Shredder technology – Lets customers effectively remove all traces of confidential files from their computers.
• Updating Protection – Provides continuous, automatic updates and upgrades to protect customers from fast-moving Internet threats.

The new VISS Family Protection helps keep children of all ages safe from exposure to inappropriate content, social networking risks and other online threats.  This protection includes keyword and key phrase filtering, search engine filtering, instant messaging monitoring and reporting, and e-mail blocking.  In addition to being included with the Verizon Internet Security Suite, Family Protection will be offered as a free stand-alone service for all Verizon broadband customers.

Verizon's current Mac VISS option will continue to be available to users of that operating system.

For small businesses, VISS protects work computers from online threats with features that can block access to dangerous Web sites, backed by Verizon's 24 x 7 technical support.

Verizon will continue to offer VISS powered by McAfee to both consumers and small businesses at its current monthly subscription rates of $5.99 for coverage for up to three computers, $10.98 for up to six computers and $15.97 for up to nine computers.  In addition, new discounted bundles of Verizon's most popular value-added services are available for consumers. The services include the Verizon Security and Backup Bundle with 50 gigabytes of online storage for just $10 per month, and other bundles adding device-protection coverage for repair or replacement of computers, phones and televisions.  

To get more information or to subscribe to VISS or other Verizon value-added services, consumers can visit www.verizon.net/viss, and small businesses can visit https://business.verizon.net/marketplace.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: 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 more than 89 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 230,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $97 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

About McAfee, Inc.

McAfee, Inc. (NYSE: MFE), headquartered in Santa Clara, California, is the world's largest dedicated security technology company.  McAfee is committed to relentlessly tackling the world's toughest security challenges. The company delivers proactive and proven solutions and services that help secure systems and networks around the world, allowing users to safely connect to the Internet, browse and shop the Web more securely. Backed by an award-winning research team, McAfee creates innovative products that empower home users, businesses, the public sector and service providers by enabling them to prove compliance with regulations, protect data, prevent disruptions, identify vulnerabilities, and continuously monitor and improve their security. http://www.mcafee.com

McAfee, SiteAdvisor, Active Protection, Family Protection and Internet Security are registered trademarks or trademarks of McAfee, Inc., or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others. © 2008 McAfee, Inc. All rights reserved.

VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at www.verizon.com/news.  To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.

SOURCE Verizon