Verizon announced this week that its Verizon Internet Security Suite (VISS), powered by McAfee, is now available for Mac users. This upgraded VISS product is designed to help protect Mac users from online threats, identity theft and malicious Web sites. It joins Verizon's Online Backup and Sharing (VOBS) service in offering a version designed specifically for Apple's computer operating system.
Residential Verizon broadband customers - both Windows and Mac operating system users - who sign up for VISS and VOBS are eligible for a new bundle offer that amounts to a summer of free safeguards from online threats. Qualified customers who sign up for the bundle get the first three months of VISS and VOBS service free, after which they are billed a $10 monthly rate for 50 GB (gigabytes) of online storage and sharing and VISS coverage for up to three computers. Other Internet security tool options and backup and sharing plans also are available.
"Mac users are an important group of Verizon's broadband customers, and we're proud to bring them a version of our VISS software powered by McAfee, one of the most trusted names in computer and Internet security," said Peter Castleton, director for Verizon consumer product management and development. "Verizon wants Mac fans to know they can turn to Verizon for fast, reliable broadband access and online services designed to help protect their valuable systems and irreplaceable computer files."
Like its PC counterpart, the Mac version of Verizon Internet Security Suite powered by McAfee automatically updates its software and helps protects against known viruses, while users are online, in addition to providing firewall protection and critical parental controls.
As part of its security lineup for Mac users, VISS offers virus protection which automatically safeguards customers from known viruses, worms and other malware, and offers automatic updates for malicious software and automatic scans. It also features file repair which helps to repair and remove infections from files without damaging format or contents, firewall which helps block unauthorized intrusions, malicious hackers and other hostile access attempts from both incoming and outgoing connections, with fully managed, automatically updated and customized firewall rules, and Family Protection Parental Controls which enables parents to say "yes" to their children's online interests while keeping them safe as they learn and explore. The Family Protection parental controls feature also enables parents to manage online applications and the amount of time children spend online, while also providing usage reporting and instant alerts. It also offers SiteAdvisor which provides consumers with a website-safety adviser that uses simple color codes to identify risky websites so users can safely surf the web and transact online.
Small-business owners who subscribe to a qualifying double- or triple-play bundle and add VISS and VOBS with 25 GB or more storage can get VISS protection on up to three computers and 25 GB of VOBS service free for 12 months. This promotion ends Aug. 21, 2010.
Verizon also offers small-business users the ability to encrypt their e-mails as well as the documents that are shared over the Internet with Verizon Encrypted Mail or Verizon Encrypted Docs, or both. The Data Protection Premium package starts at $9.99 per month and includes VISS, VOBS, Verizon Encrypted Mail and Verizon Encrypted Docs.
Verizon Online Backup and Sharing allows consumers and small businesses to preserve vital files such as customer accounts and financial records, music files or irreplaceable digital photos or videos.
In the case of accidental damage, hard drive crashes, natural disasters or theft, VOBS users can have peace of mind knowing their digital treasures are stored remotely and accessible from anywhere. In addition, VOBS users can share documents or photos with friends, family or business associates.
