Qwest Communications is providing residential and small business broadband customers with free anti-virus and anti-malware protection for their home and business computers. The program includes network traffic monitoring and notification about attacks and infected computers, though it doesn't specifically scan user PCs.
Qwest and other telcos have been investing in growing security organizations and services, though most of their efforts thus far have concentrated on larger businesses and corporate enterprises. Qwest isn't the first telco to reach out and meet the security needs of residential customers, but its offering shows that telcos are getting used to the idea that a strong, revenue-generating customer relationship is based on more than just wires.
For more:
- Here's a brief in Inc
- The Denver Business Journal has more