Alliance will Bring Protection to Consumers and Small Businesses
LUXEMBOURG and CUPERTINO, Calif., February 7, 2007 – Skype, the global Internet communications company, and Symantec Corp. (NASDAQ: SYMC), today announced a relationship to deliver PC security solutions to small office and home office Skype™ users for a secure PC environment. As part of the co-marketing agreement, Skype will offer a special promotion to business users who click through Skype to a co-branded PC security information website and download Norton Internet Security and other Symantec Norton branded products.
Symantec’s Norton Internet Security and Norton AntiVirus 2007 products, which are suitable for both home users and small offices, have been Skype Certified™. This confirms that Symantec’s Norton line of security products meet Skype’s strict standards for security, quality and usability.
Symantec’s most recent Internet Security Threat Report, compiled from data on more than 120 million systems worldwide, shows a decline in viruses and worms, but a sharp rise in crimeware and phishing designed to steal personal information for financial gain. Small business owners and home office users are especially vulnerable to potential security risks when conducting business over multiple wireless and fixed networks. Their unprotected data and systems are exposed to a plethora of harmful viruses and malicious code that causes damage, collects private data and degrades performance. Compromised network connections cause systems to crash and deteriorate the quality of video and Internet calls.
Symantec’s security software proactively equips users with the additional protection they need to safeguard their personal information. Norton Internet Security 2007 includes the antivirus and antispyware protection of Norton AntiVirus that provides sophisticated new phishing protection, an enhanced firewall and defense against software vulnerabilities. Symantec’s Norton branded products will be available in Skype’s online store at a discount to retail prices.
“Skype has always been focused on providing a secure environment for its community of more than 171 million users, so they can safely make calls, send instant messages and transfer files,” said Kurt Sauer, Skype's chief security officer. “Skype and Symantec’s mutual commitment to security reinforces our pledge to ensure all users can have the necessary protection to keep their home and business IT environments safe.”
Skype was built from the ground up with security in mind, to ensure that Skype calls and chats remain safe and secure. Using end-to-end encryption technology, users are protected from a wide range of possible attacks, such as impersonation, eavesdropping and modification of data while in transit. Skype’s software developers and engineers work vigilantly to make security an integral part of the product’s development.
“Keeping data safe, systems up and running and users productive in today’s information-driven environment has never been more important,” said Rowan Trollope, vice president, Consumer Engineering, Symantec. “Utilizing Symantec’s security software and Skype’s unique technology for communications, home office and small business users can create an optimal IT environment to work with confidence.”
About Symantec
Symantec is the world leader in providing solutions to help individuals and enterprises assure the security, availability, and integrity of their information. Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Symantec has operations in 40 countries. More information is available at www.symantec.com.
About Skype
Skype is the world’s fastest-growing Internet communication offering, allowing unlimited free voice, video and instant messaging communication between users of Skype Software. With over 171 million registered users, Skype is available in over 28 languages and is used in almost every country around the world. Skype generates revenue through its premium offerings such as making and receiving calls to and from landline and mobile phones, voicemail, call forwarding and personalization including ringtones and avatars. Skype also has relationships with a growing network of hardware and software providers.
Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY). To learn more visit skype.com.
Access to a broadband Internet connection is required for Skype and all Skype Certified devices and accessories. Skype is not a replacement for your traditional telephone service and cannot be used for emergency calling.
Skype, SkypeIn, SkypeOut, Skype Me, Skype Certified, Skypecasts, associated logos and the “S” symbol are trademarks of Skype Limited.
