Norton by Symantec helps Facebook users protect themselves and their friends

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, September 4th 2011 -Based on Norton's analysis of a sample of 3.5 million posts with videos on August 2, up to 15 percent of unique posts have been identified as 'likejacking' attacks with the volume of likejacking attacks varying from day to day. 

"Who hasn't been tempted to click on an enticing video posted to a friend's Facebook wall, along with an eye-catching tagline such as, 'Wow, you'll never believe this' or 'check this out'? It's a common thing we do every day but often, these video clips are actually "likejacking" attack meaning clicking will result in users "liking" the video and posting it to their own wall.  Worse than being embarrassing and annoying, likejacking could more dangerously be used by cyberscammers to infect PCs or steal identities," says Tamim Taufiq, Head of Consumer Sales MENA for Symantec.  

To protect against likejacking, Norton Safe Web for Facebook now identifies URLs or videos that are likejacking attacks, based on Norton's analysis of millions of posts.  Each time Norton Safe Web for Facebook scans the news feed, likejacking detections are displayed as part of the scan report and posted to the user's wall so their friends are warned against clicking on the link. Norton Safe Web for Facebook: Norton Safe Web for Facebook is a free application that scans news feeds and identifies URLs containing security risks, such as phishing sites, malicious downloads and links to unsafe external sites. 

In addition to protecting Facebook users from likejacking scams and malicious websites, Norton is helping to educate people about online threats with the Norton Cybercrime Index, now accessible on the Norton Facebook page.  The Norton Cybercrime Index is a free tool that measures and warns people about daily cybercrime risks around the world. The Norton Cybercrime Index's number changes daily to indicate the day's threat level, based on an algorithm that calculates data from multiple sources.  It also includes commentary on each day's threats and advice for staying safe online.  Fans of Norton's Facebook page can share useful information about cybercrime and the tool itself with friends, helping them protect against ever-evolving Internet threats.

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About Norton by Symantec
Symantec's Norton products protect consumers from cybercrime with technologies like antivirus, anti-spyware and internet security -- while also being light on system resources. The company also provides services such as online backup, PC tuneup, and family online resources.  Like Norton on Facebook at www.facebook.com/norton and follow @NortonOnline on Twitter.

About Symantec
Symantec is a global leader in providing security, storage and systems management solutions to help consumers and organizations secure and manage their information-driven world. Our software and services protect against more risks at more points, more completely and efficiently, enabling confidence wherever information is used or stored. More information is available at www.symantec.com.

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This forward-looking indication of plans for products is preliminary and all future release dates are tentative and are subject to change.  Any future release of the product or planned modifications to product capability, functionality or feature are subject to ongoing evaluation by Symantec, and may or may not be implemented and should not be considered firm commitments by Symantec and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions.  

© Press Release 2011