SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- McAfee, Inc.
(NYSE: MFE) today announced that it is making the Internet safer for all
users by completing the acquisition of privately held ScanAlert, Inc.
ScanAlert is the creator of the HACKER SAFE web site security certification
service, which protects over 50 million e-commerce transactions per month
and proactively advises consumers about which sites are safe for shopping.
The ScanAlert technology will be integrated into McAfee's award-winning
safe search and surf technology, SiteAdvisor(R), which just reached a
significant milestone of its own: It has been downloaded more than 100
million times by consumers who request SiteAdvisor's Web site ratings more
than a billion times each day. This robust Web security platform perfectly
complements McAfee's secure PC platform, collectively making the Internet
safer for millions of consumers worldwide.
"With threats exploding on the Internet, consumers increasingly
understand that clicking on an untested or uncertified Web site is a game
of chance," said Dave DeWalt, chief executive officer and president of
McAfee. "By leading the industry with an integrated Web and PC platform,
McAfee is delivering what consumers need most: An intuitive, easy-to-use
service that proactively helps users avoid unknown and risky sites while
stopping threats that attempt to infect their PCs through email, instant
messaging, and spyware. McAfee makes the Internet safe by regularly testing
Web businesses, and by driving millions of consumers to those sites that
have been certified."
UK-based NGS (Next Generation Security) Software Ltd. recently reported
that thousands of database servers accessible on the Internet lack critical
updates and are vulnerable to attack.(1) In addition, Internet threats have
been increasing, and now target Web 2.0 sites and social networking sites,
where attackers cull tidbits of personal information to make threats feel
more authentic. In particular, the clear overlap of common online habits --
surfing unknown sites, clicking on emails from unknown senders, swapping
photos and music files -- provides a perfect storm of opportunity for
professional hackers. For the record, consumers have taken note: A 2006
study by TNS, a global market insight and information group, revealed that
70% of consumers polled terminated online orders due to a lack of
transaction trust.
At the same time, market forces are actually helping the
cyber-criminals. For example, the cost of renting a platform for spamming
has dropped, and criminals can now buy custom-written Trojans built to
steal credit card data. Meanwhile, the crooks are increasingly aiming
phishing scams at smaller e-commerce sites that have been slower to
implement comprehensive security measures. Since most consumers reuse their
usernames and passwords, the potential problems are just as serious.
Solutions Increase Consumer Confidence -- and Sales
Extending its comprehensive layers of protection to the world of online
business, McAfee certifies e-commerce sites only after they have undergone
a comprehensive security audit, which includes scanning each site for
vulnerabilities, identifying security fixes for those problems, and
ensuring that they have been fixed. After each site has been certified as
HACKER SAFE, it maintains that certification only by passing daily scans.
By boosting consumer confidence through these rigorous and ongoing security
audits, ScanAlert clients enjoy, on average, improved sales conversion
rates of 14%.
"Companies see a lift in conversion when consumers feel more
comfortable, and HACKER SAFE has worked for everyone I have ever been
involved with, whether as a consultant or marketing teddy bears," said Bill
Cronin, Ecommerce Director of Vermont Teddy Bear. "The ROI is really there,
and conversion rates do increase."
"The HACKER SAFE logo is one of the world's most viewed safe shopping
trustmarks," said Tim Dowling, vice president, McAfee. "In an environment
where consumers are concerned about the legitimacy of e-commerce sites,
companies that do business online increasingly depend on building and
maintaining consumer confidence. The combination of HACKER SAFE(R), which
provides the reassurance needed to drive sales, and SiteAdvisor, which
drives consumer traffic to safe sites, together have the potential to
significantly enhance e-commerce."
ScanAlert currently audits and certifies the security of more than
100,000 Web sites, and the HACKER SAFE security trust mark is displayed on
over 60% of companies featured in the Internet Retailer Top 500 list.
Clients include American Red Cross, GUESS?, INC, PETCO Animal Supplies,
Spencer Gifts, and Warner Brothers.
Complementing the HACKER SAFE certification service is McAfee(R)
SiteAdvisor, which has been downloaded more than 100 million times in just
two years after its beta-stage launch. McAfee SiteAdvisor has tested 95% of
the trafficked Web, and displays easy-to-understand green, yellow and red
safety ratings to guide consumers to safe sites and away from risky sites,
which deliver malware, contain browser exploits, display aggressive pop-up
ads, try to scam a user or send multiple spammy emails. The SiteAdvisor
safe search technology also includes browser-based anti-phishing protection
to shield consumers from sites designed to steal personal information.
Tested Web sites that are found to be risky can address the issues McAfee
found, earning a new "green" rating, and therefore benefit from increased
traffic by consumers who only visit SiteAdvisor rated safe sites.
McAfee SiteAdvisor is integrated into all of McAfee's security suites,
McAfee Total Protection, McAfee Internet Security Suite, and McAfee
VirusScan(R) Plus, which offer comprehensive technologies that work
together to prevent consumers' PCs from being compromised by hackers,
viruses, spyware, malicious downloads in email and instant messaging, and
more. McAfee SiteAdvisor can also enhance security products made by other
manufacturers. It works with Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla
Firefox for the MacOS, Linux and PC platforms. It is available free of
charge at http://us.mcafee.com.
SiteAdvisor has received numerous honors, including: 5-star reviews
from CNET's download.com, Time Magazine's "50 Coolest Web Sites," Popular
Science's "Best of What's New" and the U.S. Department of Commerce's
"Recognition of Excellence in Innovation" honor.
McAfee, Inc. purchased the HACKER SAFE web site security certification
service for approximately $51 million in cash up front and with an earn-out
of up to an additional $24 million if certain performance targets are met.
For additional information, visit the McAfee acquisition Web site at
http://www.mcafee.com/websecurity.
About McAfee, Inc.
McAfee, Inc., the leading dedicated security technology company,
headquartered in Santa Clara, California, delivers proactive and proven
solutions and services that secure systems and networks around the world.
With its unmatched security expertise and commitment to innovation, McAfee
empowers home users, businesses, the public sector, and service providers
with the ability to block attacks, prevent disruptions, and continuously
track and improve their security. http://www.McAfee.com.
McAfee, SiteAdvisor, VirusScan and/or other noted McAfee related
products contained herein are registered trademarks or trademarks of
McAfee, Inc., and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and/or other countries.
McAfee Red in connection with security is distinctive of McAfee brand
products. Any other non-McAfee related products, registered and/or
unregistered trademarks contained herein is only by reference and are the
sole property of their respective owners. (C) 2008 McAfee, Inc. All rights
reserved.
(1) "Survey finds thousands of database servers open to attack",
SearchSecurity.com, November 14, 2007,
http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/originalContent/0,289142,
sid14_gci1281896,00.html?track=sy160&asrc=RSS_RSS-10_160
SOURCE McAfee, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.mcafee.com
CONTACT:
Investor Relations, Kelsey Doherty,
+1-646-728-1494, kelsey_doherty@McAfee.com, or Public Relations,
Francie Coulter, +1-408-346-3436, francie_coulter@McAfee.com,
both of McAfee, Inc.; or Matt Farrell of GlobalFluency,
+1-646-652-5204, mfarrell@globalfluency.com, for McAfee, Inc.
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