StopBadware Stories encourages people to share their experiences with badware

Cambridge, Mass., April 20, 2010: StopBadware, a non-profit organization that fights computer viruses, spyware, and other badware, announced today the launch of StopBadware Stories, a project to collect and share stories about the effects of badware on people’s lives.

StopBadware defines badware as software that fundamentally disregards a user’s choice about how his or her computer or network connection will be used. Badware includes hidden programs that steal users’ bank account information, downloads that install additional software without the user’s permission, and fake anti-virus applications that present false results to trick users into buying useless or dangerous software.

The StopBadware Stories project is part of an effort to raise awareness of badware as a problem that affects, and is affected by, individual Internet users. There is a perception that badware is just a computer problem, one that can be solved with better technology, said Maxim Weinstein, executive director of StopBadware. The truth is that it is a very human problem. The effects on people’s lives, on businesses’ profits, and on national security are real and extend well beyond the desktop. We hope that these stories will open people’s eyes to the importance of us all working together to combat badware.

StopBadware Stories is an extension of the organization’s online community, BadwareBusters.org, which serves as a forum for people to request help and to discuss ways of combating badware. The site now allows users to submit stories combining text, images, and video. Visitors can browse, rate, comment on, and share each others’ stories. Authors are asked to agree to a Creative Commons license that allows their stories to be remixed, reused, or redistributed for non-commercial use. StopBadware hopes this will expand the creative opportunities for storytellers and broaden the reach of the project’s educational message. That message will also be reinforced through links to information about fighting badware that appear alongside the stories.

The project’s home page can be found at http://badwarebusters.org/stories.

About StopBadware

StopBadware is a non-profit organization that works with its network of individuals and partner organizations including Google, PayPal, and Mozilla to fight back against viruses, spyware, and other badware. The organization began as a project of the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University before spinning off as a standalone organization in 2010. It is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Roundtable: Whether Technology Changes Warrant Changes to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule

In light of rapidly changing technology such as the increased use of smartphones and other devices to access the Internet, the Federal Trade Commission will host a public roundtable, “Protecting Kids’ Privacy Online: Reviewing the COPPA Rule,” on June 2, 2010 to explore whether to update the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule. The Rule was enacted in 2000 and requires Web site operators to obtain parental consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from children under 13. Roundtable topics will include:

* Whether the Rule should be applied to emerging media such as mobile devices, interactive television, and interactive gaming;
* Potential expansion of the Rule to cover more items of information that might be collected from children; and,
* A review of the parental verification methods used by Web site operators.

For a more detailed list of topics, see the Commission’s March 24, 2010 request for public comment on the COPPA Rule, at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/03/coppa.shtm.

The roundtable will be held at the FTC Conference Center at 601 New Jersey Avenue N.W. in Washington, DC. It is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is not required. Members of the public and press who wish to participate but who cannot attend can view a live webcast at ftc.gov.

Individuals and organizations may submit requests to participate as panelists and may recommend topics for inclusion in the agenda. The requests and recommendations should be submitted electronically to childrensprivacyroundtable@ftc.gov. Prospective panelists should submit a statement detailing their expertise on the issues to be addressed and contact information no later than May 5, 2010. Panelists will be selected based on expertise and the need to include a broad range of views.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities are available upon request. Requests should be submitted via email to cmglothlin@ftc.gov or by calling Carrie McGlothlin at (202) 326-3388. Requests should be made in advance. Please include a detailed description of the accommodation needed, and provide contact information.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,800 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s Web site provides free information on a variety of consumer topics.

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Shawn Henry Receives Award for Leadership in Worldwide Efforts to Fight Cybercrime

WASHINGTON–McAfee, Inc. (NYSE:MFE) today presented the McAfee Cybercrime Fighter Award to Shawn Henry, assistant director in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office. The award recognizes Henry for his efforts protecting the nation from cybercrime and his role in revamping cyberstrategy and investigative programs. The award was presented Thursday by McAfee President and Chief Executive Officer Dave DeWalt during the McAfee Public Sector Summit in Washington D.C.

“When considering candidates for this award, McAfee assesses only those who have exhibited leadership and made a significant impact in protecting the public from vicious cyberattacks,” said DeWalt. “Shawn Henry has engineered innovative strategies and redesigned investigative programs to protect the nation and its citizens from cybercrime and make real strides for law enforcement combating this relatively new type of crime.”

The noted accomplishments Henry spearheaded for the FBI include:

* Development and implementation of the National Cyber Investigative Joint Task Force (NCIJTF); the FBI was subsequently designated the executive agent of the NCIJTF by the President of the United States, leading the domestic response against cyberexploitation.
* Full time international deployment of FBI cyberagents into the national police agencies of foreign law enforcement agencies, resulting in unprecedented success in mitigating foreign criminal threats to US interests.
* Broad coordination and collaboration with the private sector, resulting in joint intelligence products being produced and disseminated which prevented some cyberattacks.

“I’m very proud of the FBI’s accomplishments in the area of cybercrime and thank McAfee for the recognition, which I share with all the people at the FBI who work tirelessly to protect our nation and its citizens from criminals,” said Henry. “While we have made great headway in the fight against cybercrime, it continues to be a battle that requires an alliance of good people to fight the fight, starting with a strong public-private partnership.”

Serving the FBI since 1989, Henry was recently appointed assistant director in charge of the Washington Field Office. Previously he held the position of assistant director of the FBI Cyber Division. Henry and his team are responsible for protecting the United States against the most harmful Internet fraud, serious computer invasions, the spread of malicious code and operations aiming to obtain U.S. intellectual property.

Henry specializes in cyber program management and defending the nation against advanced cyberattacks. He spent his career improving computer security and developing key initiatives for national security. As a member of the National Cyber Study Group (NCSG), he helped develop the Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative (CNCI). Henry is responsible for transforming the FBI’s cyberstrategies and investigative programs. He contributed to the National Security Branch (NSB), and was selected to serve as Chief of the Executive Staff to the Executive Assistant Director of the NSB.

His current office, the Washington Field Office, has three major national security priorities. It protects the U.S. against terrorist attacks, foreign intelligence operations and espionage and cyberbased attacks and high-technology crimes.

The McAfee Cybercrime Fighter Award is given to an individual from government, industry, academia or a non-governmental organization who has exemplified outstanding leadership in the global effort to combat cybercrime. The honoree has contributed to the effort in a way that may include: raising awareness of cybercrime prevention, leading law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute cybercrime, educating the next generation of cybercrime fighters, creating innovative ways to combat cybercrime, protecting consumers or children from cybercrime threats, or other efforts.

The McAfee Cybercrime Fighter Award is part of the McAfee Initiative to Fight Cybercrime. For more information on the initiative, visit http://www.mcafee.com/fightcybercrime.

About McAfee, Inc.

McAfee, Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, California, is the world’s largest dedicated security technology company. McAfee is committed to relentlessly tackling the world’s toughest security challenges. The company delivers proactive and proven solutions and services that help secure systems and networks around the world, allowing users to safely connect to the Internet, browse and shop the web more securely. Backed by an award-winning research team, McAfee creates innovative products that empower home users, businesses, the public sector and service providers by enabling them to prove compliance with regulations, protect data, prevent disruptions, identify vulnerabilities, and continuously monitor and improve their security. http://www.mcafee.com

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