McAfee, Inc. Introduces McAfee Family Protection Software Offering Parents Peace of Mind as Their Children Explore the Internet

Easy-to-Use Software Reinforces Positive Internet Habits for Families

SANTA CLARA, Calif., June 03, 2009 - The world’s largest dedicated security company, McAfee, Inc. (NYSE:MFE), today announced the availability of McAfee® Family Protection, a new software program that can prevent a child from online dangers, such as viewing inappropriate content, participating in cyberbullying and engaging in risky interactions on social networking sites. McAfee Family Protection software gives parents the ability to monitor and track online activities, and then use the data to teach their kids responsible and safe Internet habits.

“Cyber threats are increasing exponentially, and at the same time more and more children are spending time online. I see these dangers every day and the threats are very real for kids,” said Brent Remai, vice president of consumer marketing at McAfee, and a father of three. “It takes both education and technology to protect kids from online dangers, and the McAfee Family Protection software makes it simple for parents to keep their kids safe online.”

Recent statistics show:

  • 62% of parents worry just as much or more about their teens’ online safety as they do about drinking and driving (McAfee and Harris Interactive, October, 2008)
  • 52% of teens have given out personal information online to someone they didn’t know (McAfee and Harris Interactive, October, 2008)
  • One out of 17 kids have been harassed, threatened or bullied online (netlingo.com, March, 2007)

“I’ve been very concerned about my kids’ online safety over the last year,” said Michelle Quinn, a mother of three from Chicago, IL, and a participant in McAfee’s Family Protection software user trial. “I learned that my daughter was approached on IM by an older man and within a few days of meeting online was offered an airline ticket to meet him in person. I’ve also had fears of my boys being involved in cyberbullying. In the past, I have struggled to stay on top of my kids’ online activities, but after using McAfee Family Protection software I know that I can easily monitor their activities and they can continue to enjoy the Internet. The IM and social networking notifications will also put me at more ease.”

McAfee Family Protection software includes a variety of unique features appropriate for each age group to help parents keep their kids safe online. Now, parents can receive text or e-mail alerts when a child has tried to access banned Web sites; they can filter inappropriate YouTube videos; and they can completely block programs, such as IM, peer-to-peer or e-mail, in addition to Web sites with similar functionality. Unlike other products, it does not expose families to unwanted advertising within the product.

Parents who work or travel and do not have physical access to the family PC can still adjust program settings remotely by simply logging onto www.mcafeefamilyprotection.com and accessing their personal account.

About McAfee Family Protection
McAfee Family Protection software includes the following features:

  • Web Blocking lets parents block up to 35 categories of inappropriate content including such categories as pornography, hate sites and school cheating.
  • Program Blocking helps parents steer kids and teens away from such programs as peer-to-peer file sharing programs that may compromise family PCs or games that may only be appropriate for certain age groups.
  • E-mail Content Management allows parents to both pre-approve e-mail addresses of kids’ friends and block unknown e-mail addresses via such programs as Microsoft Outlook. It can also completely block Web-based email programs (such as Gmail or Hotmail) so children or teens are not communicating with strangers.
  • The Social Networking feature records and alerts parents when inappropriate or personal information is posted to popular social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace.
  • Instant Messaging lets parents monitor and record IM chats as needed to understand if kids are being communicated to by cyberbullies or strangers. IM clients include AOL, ICQ, MSN and Yahoo!, and parents can also block IM programs that are installed on the PC by using the Program Blocking feature.
  • Time Limits enable families to select the amount of time children and teens can use the Internet.
  • Reports provide parents with a complete view of sites visited, including banned sites, as well as recorded IM activity.
  • Instant Alerts by e-mail or text give parents a heads up when access to objectionable material is attempted and when confidential information is posted on social networking sites.

McAfee Family Protection software costs $39.99 and works with McAfee’s consumer security suites including McAfee VirusScan® Plus, McAfee Internet Security and McAfee Total Protection as well as security products from other vendors. McAfee Family Protection software is available for purchase at www.mcafee.com. McAfee also expects to offer support for Apple, Inc.’s iPhone platform in the second half of the year.

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

McAfee, SiteAdvisor, McAfee SECURE and/or other noted McAfee related products contained herein are registered trademarks or trademarks of McAfee, Inc., and/or its affiliates in the US 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.


McAfee, Inc.
Kim Eichorn, 408-346-3606
Kim_Eichorn@mcafee.com
or
Red Consultancy
Gina Weakley, 415-618-8809
gina.weakley@redconsultancy.com