EPB offers McAfee virus protection to replace suspect Kaspersky software
EPB is cutting its anti-virus protection from a Russian brand of security software over questions about its security, but Chattanooga’s municipal utility is still offering free security software for its Fiber Optics internet customers from another anti-virus software program.
EPB said Friday it is now offering McAfee LiveSafe at no additional cost to all Fi-Speed Internet customers. The McAfee service, which would normally cost individuals $95 to $99 a year to install and update, replaces the Kaspersky Lab software EPB has used for the previous four years.
EPB’s action follows a September directive to federal agencies to remove the Kaspersky software on the grounds that the company has connections to the Russian government and its software poses a security risk.
About 15,000 of EPB’s internet customers used the virus protection offered by Kaspersky and they have been individually notified of the change to McAfee.
“McAfee LiveSafe stands out as a powerful, reliable tool that provides extra value to our customer’s Fi-Speed Internet service,” EPB Strategic Systems assistant vice president Andy Campbell said in an announcement of the change. “We want our customers to continue to enjoy a worry-free experience when connected to America’s fastest community-wide internet service.”
The top-rated security suite protects PCs,
Macs, Android and Apple mobile devices from a variety of online threats.
EPB spokesman J.Ed. Marston said McAfee LiveSafe is the top-ofthe-line product in McAfee’s security portfolio that offers protection of an unlimited number of customer devices.
Marston said EPB offers the anti-virus software free as part of its internet service. The utility is able to buy such software for its customers at a lower price than individuals can, although Marston said EPB is contractually obligated not to disclose its costs for the anti-virus software option.
“We are able to negotiate a really good bulk deal and that allows us to provide this at no extra costs to our internet subscribers, which we think is an important customer service.” he said. Contact Dave Flessner at dflessner@timesfreepress.com or at 423757-6340.