In a major move, Facebook has made a deal with McAfee in order to improve security of the social network. As an anti-virus software maker, McAfee has been around for years as a personal computer service. Now McAfee is helping to protect an entire network from malware, a point of dire stress for Facebook.
Having dealt with a series of malware and spam issues, as well as hijacked accounts, Facebook is being cornered by many privacy advocate groups to do more to protect users. With scams running rampant on Facebook, the social network has taken measures to protect its users by posting warnings and updated information on known and widespread attacks on the network. Yet, it appears that these measures weren’t enough.
The deal between Facebook and McAfee is exclusive for the first, which is probably a good thing considering the increased need for security and privacy on the social network. Users will receive a free 6-month account with McAfee, with discounts for McAfee services beyond the complimentary trial period, reports The New York Times.
Given Facebook’s 12-month partnership with McAfee, it looks as though the deal itself may be taking a trial period for itself. Adding this type of security level to a widely used social network is a game-changing tactic that we haven’t seen with major social networking sites. Yet the pressure Facebook has faced in recent months has all but forced the social network to do something drastic in order to protect users.
Privacy is probably Facebook’s biggest concern right now, with several controversial issues haven arisen from Facebook’s decision to make profile information public by default. The changes made at Facebook have made privacy on the site a huge concern, and reiterating user safety is surely a motivating factor in Facebook’s decision to take on additional security measures.
For Facebook and such security measures, users with hacked accounts or malware will have to go through a “cleansing” process before being allowed back onto the social network. This is an interesting regulatory move for Facebook in preserving the safety of its network, as it requires a user open up their computer to Facebook to test for viruses. Perhaps it’s a catch 22 for Facebook’s privacy issues, given the network’s necessity to ultimately protect its users.
The deal also presents a marketing opportunity for McAfee. Access to Facebook’s users means more potential clients. Hopefully it will not mean more potential popups for Facebook users, too. For McAfee, teaming up with a social network also marks a game-changing move, as McAfee and similar services typically join up with manufacturers and the makers of operating systems in order to distribute its products to the masses.
Utilizing a social networking portal instead of a device portal means that social networks such as Facebook are increasing in power and becoming further established as access points for users. Instead of solely targeting users through the devices they use, McAfee can also target users through the networks they use.
Ultimately it’s up to users to determine what they’re willing to compromise for the safety of their own device and the safe usage of a public, social network. In many different manifestations, privacy will continue to be a central issue to the actions we take with online social networks, and consumers should always be aware of what they’re getting themselves into.