Facebook Expands Free Security Software Program

Facebook has announced an improvement to its antivirus marketplace. At the same time, the social networking site also announced it will begin working closely with security companies to build a database of dangerous, rogue websites.

The security software will be featured in Facebook's antivirus marketplace, which launched this past April.

The marketplace allows security firms to promote their products and allows users to choose one antivirus product for a free trial, then extend their coverage with a paid subscription.

Facebook says 30 million users have visited the marketplace since it launched six months ago. However, the firm isn't saying how many users have downloaded trial software, or which products are proving most popular. (Source: facebook.com)

AVG, Kaspersky Join Facebook Freebies

The marketplace has long included Microsoft, McAfee, Norton, Trend Micro, and Sophos. Facebook has now added avast!, AVG, Avira, Kaspersky, Panda, Total Defense, and Webroot -- so virtually all the major security firms are now on board.

Both existing and new participants will be offering free trials of security software specially designed for mobile devices, laptops and desktop computers (both PC and Mac).

Surprisingly, McAfee's offer of free trial software for Android users runs only for seven days.

Most of the other downloads give the users six months to try a security product. Some experts believe that seven days won't be enough time to gauge a program's effectiveness. (Source: theregister.co.uk)

Facebook Builds Master Malware Blacklist

While security companies benefit from the promotion available through this marketplace, the program also benefits Facebook. Unconfirmed reports indicate the social networking site may be charging the security companies a fee to participate.

The security firms have also agreed to provide Facebook with details of the websites they know to be infected with malware.

Facebook will reportedly use this information to create a master database and block dangerous pages from appearing in links posted on Facebook user pages.