Barclays Bank invests in F-Secure to protect online banking customers

May 26, 2006: ~ all online banking customers offered free F-Secure Anti-Virus licences ~

F-Secure, the leading Internet security provider, has signed a strategic agreement with Barclays Bank to provide its 1.6 million online banking customers with a free two-year licence of F-Secure Anti-Virus. This significant investment demonstrates Barclays’ commitment to keeping customers safe from hacking attempts, viruses and other malware while using the Internet not just when they’re banking online.

The bank selected F-Secure for the technical strength of its anti-virus offering, speed of response to emerging Internet security threats and high levels of service and customer support. Risto Siilasmaa, President and CEO, F-Secure Corporation, commented: "F-Secure’s research labs work around the clock to ensure a level of protection not found in rival products. Independent studies in 2004 and 2005 show that F-Secure’s response time to new threats is significantly faster than our major competitors. Our anti-virus protection, desktop firewall with intrusion prevention, anti-spam and anti-spyware solutions have been selected by Barclays as ‘best of breed’. Barclays knows it is offering customers the best available online protection and, with our 24/7 helpline, the best customer service."

Barnaby Davis, Director of Electronic Banking at Barclays Bank, commented, "Studies show that nearly two-thirds of home PCs don’t have active virus protection, and one in five is actually infected by a virus, placing people at risk from data theft as well as damage to their computers. Because of the risks, some people are concerned about the security of online banking, despite banks themselves being secure. F-Secure’s Anti-Virus product will provide our customers with excellent protection, giving them peace of mind when using the Internet and banking online, without annoying them with pop-ups and confusing instructions. The software and service met all our requirements it’s straightforward to set up, provides thorough protection that’s updated daily and is backed up with an excellent support," concluded Davis.

"The agreement with F-Secure allows Barclays to offer a free service to its online customers that would normally cost over £45 for the two years. This offer places Barclays in a different league to its competitors when it comes to keeping customers safe online," commented Siilasmaa."By protecting them online, Barclays is ensuring that, whether on bank business or not, its customers are given the best possible service."

Barclays Bank customers using F-Secure Anti-Virus will also have the option to upgrade to F-Secure’s flagship Internet Security product for a reduced price of £9.95 a year (usual price £38.95), giving them additional features including parental control, a personal firewall, spam filters and application control. 

For further information, contact.

Richard Hales, UK Country Manager
Tel. +44(0) 7884 46 40 30

For further information contact:

Liz Holloway                    
Barclays PR                    
Tel 020 7116 6229                
Elizabeth.holloway@barclays.com    

Andrew McDougall
Barclays PR
Tel: 020 7116 6159
Andrew.mcdougall@barclays.com