Following up on promises made in September, Google has outlined plans to open their Chrome browser to third-party extensions. Web of Trust is included in an initial list of 15 add-ons that Google is targeting to support. Chrome's closest rival, Mozilla's open source browser Firefox, is popular because the browser can be extended with a multitude of add-ons. Web of Trust (WOT) has reached 2 million downloads since securing a place on Mozilla's coveted recommended add-on list.

Panda Security, a leading provider of IT security solutions, today announced the availability of a guide containing practical tips to help consumers safely do their holiday shopping online. Panda Security's practical guide, which explains the main security threats and how to protect against them, is available for free download here (pdf).

Winner of the Best of TechEd award in 2007 and highly recommended by the judges at the SC Magazine Europe awards in 2008, GFI LANguard allows administrators to scan, detect, assess and rectify vulnerabilities on their network and to secure it with minimal administrative effort. The latest version builds on an extensive feature set to make it easier for users to manage network scans, install patches and get a complete picture of the security set-up on their network.

Symantec Corp. has announced the availability of Norton AntiVirus 2009 Gaming Edition, a new offering designed specifically with the gaming community in mind. From protecting assets earned on massive multi-player games to keeping malware at bay, Norton AntiVirus 2009 Gaming Edition is fast and light on system resources, Symantec said.
The new security offering keeps you protected but won’t bother you while you’re in the middle of a game.

IObit releases Advanced SystemCare Free (formerly Advanced WindowsCare Personal) version 3.0 to build on its success as the world's most popular computer system utility, now embedded with more than 10,000 improvements, new interface and a set of useful Windows. Operating System tools at users' fingertips.

The freeware provides a one-click and all-in-one PC Healthcare Service with anti-spyware, privacy protection, performance tune-ups, and system cleaning capabilities. 

Discretix, the leading provider of embedded security and DRM (Digital Rights Management) solutions, and MontaVista® Software, Inc., the leader in embedded Linux® commercialization, today announced a partnership aimed at bringing a new class of multi-scheme digital rights management protection to the mobile Linux device category. The two companies have demonstrated the integration of MontaVista Linux and Discretix CPRM (Content Protection for Recordable Media) November 19-21 at Embedded Technology 2008 in Yokohama, Japan.

PandaLabs, Panda Security's malware analysis and detection laboratory, has reported that numerous downloadable songs and videos related to the hit movie "High School Musical" are being used by cyber-crooks to disguise malware (viruses, worms, Trojans, etc.).

AVG, a global anti-virus and Internet security software provider with over 85 million users in 167 countries, today responded to Microsoft's announcement of a free anti-virus software product slated to appear in mid-2009. AVG, which for eight years has offered free anti-virus software to users worldwide, noted the multiple challenges Microsoft faces in supporting a free anti-virus software product -- chief among them the enormous overhead costs it will incur for customer service and support issues, as well as for ongoing product management and upgrades.

The Friday following Thanksgiving is a unique day American shoppers anticipate for weeks -- practically another holiday itself -- but Black Friday is also the most ideal time for an identity thief to target unsuspecting victims. According to the Federal Trade Commission, last year consumers reported losses from identity theft and fraud of more than $1.2 billion, and with consumers facing an already tough economy, they need to be particularly wary this holiday season of scams and fraud both at stores and in the online world of shopping.

To address the growing need for a PC security solution tailored to the demands of emerging markets, smaller PC form factors and rapid increases in the incidence of malware, Microsoft Corp. plans to offer a new consumer security offering focused on core anti-malware protection.