A new antivirus app made for Facebook promises to help protect users of the giant social networking site from links that may lead to malware.
F-Secure’s ShareSafe app scans links Facebook users send to – or receive from – friends, according to a release on the Finnish company’s website.
“Facebook is a global phenomenon and its dramatic growth during the last couple of years has significantly changed how people share information with their friends and family. People now share via social media more than by any other method.
“Online criminals and tricksters are exploiting this to make money from spam, scams and malware. ShareSafe is a fun application that also provides a useful service for family and friends, making Facebook a safer place for everyone,” said F-Secure security advisor Sean Sullivan.
ShareSafe aims to stop people spreading links to malicious websites, even as other users can see when a link has been sent through and checked by ShareSafe.
The app also has a “Top Links” feature, rewarding users for sharing safe and high-quality content.
Users who use ShareSafe can earn points and badges which can be redeemed for rewards, such as licenses of F-Secure Internet security products.
‘Self-promotion’
But an article on PC World noted the app may spread virally by branding itself next to every scanned link sent out to friends.
It may also seek permission to recommend itself to a user’s Facebook friends directly, which underlines the vendor’s motivation for offering it as a free utility.
“Cleverly, F-secure also offers points for every scanned link as long as it is also ‘shared’ (i.e the F-Secure brand gets some exposure), which can be redeemed against paid products from the company such as its PC or mobile antivirus software or online backup service,” the PC World article added.
PC World noted that while making money from such apps and services is virtually impossible, “vendors are battling here for mindshare not market share.” — RSJ, GMA News
Article source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/233439/technology/new-anti-malware-app-scans-facebook-links
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