Trend Micro, Identity Theft Resource Center Partner To Promote Awareness About Identity Theft

PRESS RELEASE

CUPERTINO, Calif., May 19 /PRNewswire/ --Between 2007 and 2008, over 80 percent of data breaches were electronic; identity theft - both online and off - affected 10 million new victims in the United States last year alone and cost the average consumer nearly $500. The problem is not endemic to consumers alone - cybercriminals looking for a larger payload are targeting businesses and costing them significant time, money and reputation.

Trend Micro, through its Internet Safety for Kids & Families initiative and its commitment to making the Internet a safer place, announced today a new partnership with Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing free victim assistance to consumers throughout the United States. Both organizations recognize a need for increased consumer awareness and education on the best practices to prevent identity theft.

"While we remain focused on delivering the most innovative security services and solutions for our customers, we believe Internet safety requires a combination of technology and education," said Lynette Owens, director of community outreach for Trend Micro. "We are pleased to collaborate with and support the ITRC's mission to educate consumers and corporations on best practices for fraud and identity theft detection and believe they provide a valuable service to victims of identity theft. It is in working as a community with organizations like the ITRC that we hope to make the Internet a safer place for everyone."

"As a pioneer in content security, Trend Micro protects consumer and businesses through technology, which is a perfect complement to our mission in delivering education and best-in-class victim assistance to consumers, businesses, government and law enforcement agencies," said Linda Foley, ITRC Founder. "We believe there is still a tremendous need for more consumer awareness and education on the best practices to reduce identity theft and we are grateful to partner with Trend Micro in meeting this need."

Trend Micro Announces Free Web Site Security Tool

Appearances can be deceiving - even "safe" or "respectable" Web sites can be dangerous if compromised by cybercriminals. To help protect consumers from becoming victims of identity theft, Trend Micro is pleased to offer the newTrendWatch Widget,a freeWeb site threat resource tool for consumers, IT staff, channel partners and anyone interested in receiving up-to-date information on the security of the Web. The widget provides current threat levels for Web, email and file; the latest Trend Micro malware blog entries; current security advisories (malware and vulnerabilities); and the ability to check the safety of a URL directly from the desktop by linking into the company's cloud-client infrastructure, the Trend Micro(TM) Smart Protection Network, to help identify and block threats before they have a chance to reach the desktop and infect. This free tool can be easily downloaded here: http://go.trendmicro.com/widget/.

For more free tools and services from Trend Micro, please visit:http://us.trendmicro.com/us/products/personal/free-tools-and-services/index.html

Trend Micro andIdentityTheftResourceCenter's Online Tips for Information Safety:

-- Use a respected supplier of antivirus and anti-malware software, and keep it up to date. -- Use a firewall to protect your computer. -- Make sure that updates are applied to your computer as they are released. -- Credit cards are best. Debit cards and checks have fewer security measures and less chance of complete restitution. -- Read the Web site's privacy and security policies. -- While shopping, disclose only the bare facts when you order, give no more information than is necessary.

For more tips on how to keep safe, please visit:

www.trendmicro.com/go/safety or http://www.idtheftcenter.org/c_resources/c_intro.shtml

Toll-Free Number to Call for Help

For individuals who believe they are a victim of identity theft, they can contact the Identity Theft Resource Center at (888) 400-5530 toll-free, or by email: [email protected] for no-cost victim advisor assistance.

About Trend Micro

Trend Micro Incorporated, a global leader in Internet content security, focuses on securing the exchange of digital information for businesses and consumers. A pioneer and industry vanguard, Trend Micro is advancing integrated threat management technology to protect operational continuity, personal information, and property from malware, spam, data leaks and the newest Web threats. Trend Micro's flexible solutions, available in multiple form factors, are supported 24/7 by threat intelligence experts around the globe. Many of these solutions are powered by the Trend Micro Smart Protection Network, a next generation cloud-client content security infrastructure designed to protect customers from Web threats. A transnational company, with headquarters in Tokyo, Trend Micro's trusted security solutions are sold through its business partners worldwide. Please visit www.trendmicro.com.

About ITRC

The Identity Theft Resource Center(R) (ITRC) is a non-profit organization established to support victims of identity theft in resolving their cases, and to broaden public education and awareness in the understanding of identity theft. It is the on-going mission of the ITRC to assist victims, educate consumers, research identity theft and increase public and corporate awareness about this problem.