VeriFone and McAfee to Protect POS From Virus Threat

The two companies will develop software for real-time monitoring and attack pattern update services using McAfee(R) VirusScan(R) for VeriFone IP-enabled payment devices, including those already installed in the field. VeriFone, which already supports Ethernet, Wi-Fi, 2.5G and 3G wireless IP networks in POS products, will work with credit card processors and independent sales organizations to activate and support the antivirus protection solution at the merchant level. The companies expect to make the antivirus solution available initially in North America beginning in early 2005. McAfees relationship with VeriFone follows fast on the heels of McAfees previous announcement with Japans DoCoMo last year to be the industrys innovator in the protection of IP-connected cellular phones from similar threats. Viruses and worms cost U.S. businesses billions of dollars annually. Recently, there has been an increased awareness of the threat that sophisticated payment devices which transport and encrypt very sensitive consumer data may be targeted. Credit and debit charges now account for almost a third of total personal consumer expenditures in the U.S., resulting in a heightened risk of wide scale virus assault on point-of-sale payment terminals could be devastating for impacted merchants.