By Jim Finkle
BOSTON, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Japan's Trend Micro Inc , the No 3 maker of computer security programs, introduced a new line of software on Tuesday that runs on home networking gear, protecting groups of PCs from viruses.
The company is also getting ready to unveil software that protects USB flash drives from infection, said Trend Micro Vice President Carol Carpenter.
Trend Micro's new software for routers, dubbed Home Network Defender, will initially work on a few models from Cisco Systems Inc's Linksys division. New routers will be sold bundled with 30-day trial subscriptions to the service, while Linksys customers who have already bought those models can download trial software over the Internet.
Carpenter said her company is the first to sell consumer security software that runs on routers, instead of personal computers.
Businesses have long used routers and computers loaded with security software to filter traffic as it crosses into their networks. Check Point Software Inc sells such a gateway appliance for consumers, which includes a wireless router, that is not widely distributed.
Trend Micro is hoping that its new software, which it intends to sell through multiple router manufacturers, will boost consumer interest in gateway protection products.
Home Network Defender simultaneously protects multiple devices -- including video game consoles and phones, along with several PCs. It prevents users from accessing dangerous websites and allows parents to monitor their children's activities on the Web.
Trend introduced the software as it fights for market share with Symantec Corp and McAfee Inc, the world's two biggest makers of security software. Trial versions of security software from these two companies are pre-loaded on PCs sold by Hewlett-Packard Co, Dell Inc and other large PC makers.
PC makers charge the software companies for bundling those programs with their products, often signing exclusive deals with the highest bidder.
Carpenter said Trend has signed few deals with PC makers because the bidding process sometimes makes them too expensive.
Instead, Trend Micro has started developing products it can sell through new types of partnerships, such as the one with Cisco, which is the world's biggest maker of networking gear.
Each subscription to Home Network Defender, which sells for $60 a year, includes subscriptions for Trend's traditional PC anti-virus software for four machines.
Trend Micro also plans to package its PC software with its yet-to-be-unveiled security software for flash drives, which will come pre-installed on USB flash drives, Carpenter said.
She also said Trend will be unveiling a third key product for consumers around the time of its annual analyst meeting in June. She declined to elaborate.
(Editing by Andre Grenon and Tim Dobbyn) Keywords: TRENDMICRO/ (jim.finkle@thomsonreuters.com; + 1 617 856 4344; Reuters Messaging: jim.finkle.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
BOSTON, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Japan's Trend Micro Inc , the No 3 maker of computer security programs, introduced a new line of software on Tuesday that runs on home networking gear, protecting groups of PCs from viruses.
The company is also getting ready to unveil software that protects USB flash drives from infection, said Trend Micro Vice President Carol Carpenter.
Trend Micro's new software for routers, dubbed Home Network Defender, will initially work on a few models from Cisco Systems Inc's Linksys division. New routers will be sold bundled with 30-day trial subscriptions to the service, while Linksys customers who have already bought those models can download trial software over the Internet.
Carpenter said her company is the first to sell consumer security software that runs on routers, instead of personal computers.
Businesses have long used routers and computers loaded with security software to filter traffic as it crosses into their networks. Check Point Software Inc sells such a gateway appliance for consumers, which includes a wireless router, that is not widely distributed.
Trend Micro is hoping that its new software, which it intends to sell through multiple router manufacturers, will boost consumer interest in gateway protection products.
Home Network Defender simultaneously protects multiple devices -- including video game consoles and phones, along with several PCs. It prevents users from accessing dangerous websites and allows parents to monitor their children's activities on the Web.
Trend introduced the software as it fights for market share with Symantec Corp and McAfee Inc, the world's two biggest makers of security software. Trial versions of security software from these two companies are pre-loaded on PCs sold by Hewlett-Packard Co, Dell Inc and other large PC makers.
PC makers charge the software companies for bundling those programs with their products, often signing exclusive deals with the highest bidder.
Carpenter said Trend has signed few deals with PC makers because the bidding process sometimes makes them too expensive.
Instead, Trend Micro has started developing products it can sell through new types of partnerships, such as the one with Cisco, which is the world's biggest maker of networking gear.
Each subscription to Home Network Defender, which sells for $60 a year, includes subscriptions for Trend's traditional PC anti-virus software for four machines.
Trend Micro also plans to package its PC software with its yet-to-be-unveiled security software for flash drives, which will come pre-installed on USB flash drives, Carpenter said.
She also said Trend will be unveiling a third key product for consumers around the time of its annual analyst meeting in June. She declined to elaborate.
(Editing by Andre Grenon and Tim Dobbyn) Keywords: TRENDMICRO/ (jim.finkle@thomsonreuters.com; + 1 617 856 4344; Reuters Messaging: jim.finkle.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.