Facebook offers free anti-virus scans

Think you might have a computer infection? Facebook's here to help.

Following up on April's rollout of the Facebook Anti-Virus Marketplace, which offered free anti-virus software, Facebook has debuted "Malware Checkpoint for Facebook," which will scan anyone's PC for any viruses, worms, Trojans or other malicious software.

Previously, Facebook had to detect malware on a user's computer before he or she could use the tool.

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The tool isn't really very sophisticated, in that it simply installs either Microsoft Security Essentials or McAfee Scan and Repair, both free. (Mac users, according to CNET, get sent to an Apple security-update page.)

But Facebook's Malware Checkpoint does lock down your Facebook account while you download the anti-virus software and run a malware scan. After that's done, it unlocks your account.

For Subscribers

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAbdul El-Sayed tries to woo MAHA voters as Democrats seek inroads with RFK’s supporters

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKratom-like substances are popping up in a typically benign supplement

FOR SUBSCRIBERSGOP super PAC increases its spending for Sen. Jon Husted in tough Ohio race

FOR SUBSCRIBERSRecords reveal tumultuous marriage between slain New York Times executive and wife

FOR SUBSCRIBERSFrom clean energy warrior to ‘wall of shame,’ James Talarico reverses on a fossil fuel money pledge

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCongressional staff planned official trip with luxury stops in Italy and France weeks before election

FOR SUBSCRIBERSA harrowing ordeal aboard an Israel-bound plane

FOR SUBSCRIBERSOpenAI CEO Sam Altman to skip congressional hearing on rogue AI agents

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKey DOJ lawyers departed Trump ‘grand conspiracy’ probe amid pressure to produce, source says

FOR SUBSCRIBERSTrump’s new AI chatbot often links to a site launched under Clinton 26 years ago

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAt MAHA summit, industry CEOs the movement once vilified take the stage

FOR SUBSCRIBERSThis Paralympian has two goals: Win medals and give away $500,000 to her teammates

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCornell rape allegation spotlights stringent New York state laws that have long drawn criticism

FOR SUBSCRIBERSThe debate over AI’s future rages on both coasts

FOR SUBSCRIBERSDecades-old march dispute reignites in Northern Ireland, threatening political crisis

"Previously, if you suspected you may have malware installed on your device, you would either need to run anti-virus on your device or wait until Facebook identified an actionable threat," wrote the unnamed writer of the Facebook Security blog posting.

"Now, with our new self-enrollment malware checkpoint, you will be able to proactively obtain your choice of a free anti-virus product to scan and clean your system."

Again, this isn't anything special, technically speaking. But considering that between 10 and 20 percent of PC users run no anti-virus software at all — and there's really no excuse for that, when there are good free options available — anything that makes it easier to install and run such software can only be a good thing.

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