Trend Micro and Identity Theft Resource Center Promote Education and Awareness on...

Trend Micro and Identity Theft Resource Center Promote Education and Awareness
on ID Theft

Free identity-theft prevention tips, tools and new Web site security widget
from Trend Micro - now available to everyone.

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 new
TrendWatch Widget, a free Web 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 fromTrend Micro, please visit:
http://us.trendmicro.com/us/products/personal/free-tools-and-services/index.html

Trend Micro and Identity Theft Resource Center'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: Victims@idtheftcenter.org 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.

SOURCE Trend Micro Incorporated

Andrea Mueller, Senior Public Relations Specialist of Trend Micro,
+1-408-863-6583, andrea_mueller@trendmicro.com