Network Associates Introduces McAfee AntiSpyware – Essential Protection Against Spyware for Consumers
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Network Associates, Inc. (NYSE: NET), the leading provider of intrusion prevention solutions, today announced the immediate availability of McAfee AntiSpyware (MAS). McAfee AntiSpyware proactively detects and eliminates spyware, adware and potentially dangerous applications such as key loggers, behavior-tracking programs and browser hijackers before they are able to rob identities, steal passwords, modify or destroy files and monitor unsuspecting users’ Internet activity. According to a study by the National Cyber-Security Alliance, 91 percent of all home PCs are infected with some kind of spyware today. These annoyances can advance to serious threats, such as fraud or even identity theft. McAfee(R) AntiSpyware helps keep vulnerable private information secure.
McAfee AntiSpyware addresses a clear and present market need for a more robust consumer spyware defense — one that includes proactive, automated scanning for early detection of spyware, pre-emptive alerts to notify the user and block the program from executing on its own, as well as an easy-to-use interface. The first product to provide users with both on-demand scanning and proactive on-execution scanning, MAS automatically detects threats as they attempt to compromise a user’s system. With MAS, home users can now take advantage of proactive protection around the clock.
“Viruses, while posing a significant threat, aren’t the only dangers lurking on the Internet. Spying and tracking programs employ a number of deceptive techniques to remotely invade the PC — often unbeknownst to the user,” said Lisa Henderson, vice president of marketing with the McAfee Security Consumer division at Network Associates. “Network Associates McAfee AntiSpyware provides advanced protection for the PC and personal data, has an early warning detection system, proactively protects users and their identities from suspicious programs and helps to ensure online privacy.”
McAfee AntiSpyware includes the following components:
— Advanced “Auto-Protect” Technology alerts users when potentially hostile applications attempt to install and run, providing options to block the threat at the gateway.
— Multiple Scanning Options (On-Demand and On-Execution) allow users to perform thorough or custom scans depending on their need. The default setting performs a full system scan.
— One year of Automatic Updates prompt users to download and install the most up-to-date protection against spying and tracking programs.
— Extensive Detection Database provides a thorough database of adware, spyware and keylogging programs. This database is continuously updated to keep up with the plethora of programs created daily by hackers.
— Uninstall Flexibility allows you the choice to uninstall tracking programs using that program’s uninstaller (if available), or McAfee AntiSpyware’s removal technique, which removes all traces of the program.
— “One-Stop-Shop” Identification and Removal of all components and files associated with spyware; allowing users to remove any and all infected files in one click.
Users of P2P software may be particularly at risk of having spyware on their systems, as lack of attention to license agreements may result in the installation of unintended programs. By default, McAfee AntiSpyware quarantines all detected spyware and adware programs. Because users may want to retain some of these programs, they are given the option to “trust” the program so that it will not be detected in future scans. In addition, McAfee AntiSpyware provides easy restoration of programs that users may have inadvertently removed during previous scans.
Spyware is often used to track online behavior to more effectively target pop-up ads. The files associated with tracking behavior sit hidden on the hard drive, potentially slowing down the performance of the computer. Similarly, key-logging programs can be installed on a machine to secretly monitor everything that is typed. This monitoring may include Websites visited, personal passwords, chat room conversations and email. McAfee AntiSpyware detects keyloggers before they have a chance to record keystrokes and removes the spyware programs and files that otherwise may take over the hard drive. With McAfee AntiSpyware’s enhanced protection that extends beyond anti-virus and firewall, users’ data and identity are more secure than ever. McAfee AntiSpyware is an integral part of a layered PC protection strategy.
Pricing & Availability
McAfee AntiSpyware is currently available as a perpetual license with one year of updates for $39.95 (USD) through the company’s Web site www.mcafee.com.
About McAfee Security
The McAfee Security Consumer division at Network Associates, Inc., delivers world-class retail and online solutions designed to secure, protect and optimize the computers of consumers and home office users. McAfee’s advanced retail desktop solutions include premier anti-virus, security, encryption, and desktop optimization software. McAfee’s managed Web security services employ a patented system and process of delivering software through an Internet browser to provide these services to users online through its Web site www.mcafee.com, one of the largest paid subscription sites on the Internet with over two million active paid subscribers.
About Network Associates
With headquarters in Santa Clara, California, Network Associates, Inc. creates best-of-breed computer security solutions that prevent intrusions on networks and protect computer systems from the next generation of blended attacks and threats. Offering two families of products, McAfee System Protection Solutions, securing desktops and servers, and McAfee Network Protection Solutions, ensuring the protection and performance of the corporate network, Network Associates offers computer security to large enterprises, governments, small and medium sized businesses, and consumers. For more information, Network Associates can be reached at 972-963-8000 or on the Internet at http://www.networkassociates.com/.