Facebook ramps up antivirus protection for users

By Ryan Faughnder

July 10, 2012 12 AM PT

Social media giant Facebook says it’s boosting antivirus offerings to its users.

Facebook is directing people to its new malware “checkpoints” if users suspect their computers have been infected with a virus, the company announced Tuesday.

Through a self-enrollment system, users can access free antivirus programs from McAfee or Microsoft.

Facebook this year created an “antivirus marketplace” where users could download trials of security software. The company also developed a system to notify users if their machines had become infected.

The new checkpoints allow users to be more proactive, the company said.

“Previously, if you suspected you may have malware installed on your device, you would either need to run anti-virus on your device or wait until Facebook identified an actionable threat,” the company’s security team said in a post.

“Now, with our new self-enrollment malware checkpoint, you will be able to proactively obtain your choice of a free anti-virus product to scan and clean your system.”

Malware, or malicious software, are programs that damage or steal information from computers. Malware typically installs itself on devices when users visit sketchy sites.

Last week, Facebook announced it had partnered with an outside group to help protect users from the DNS Changer malware threat.

DNS Changer Malware may have affected 47,000 Americans

Here’s how to check your computer for the DNS Changer Malware