Barclays touts discount antivirus software

Barclays is recommending F-Secure's Internet Security suite to its online banking customers

High street bank Barclays has chosen to recommend F-Secure's Internet Security suite to its online banking customers as part of a drive to protect customers when conducting financial transactions online.

F-Secure's software, which includes antivirus, anti-spyware and rootkit detection, will be available as a download to customers who already have a Barclays online account.

Following the download, customers are assured that their computer is protected from hackers, viruses, spyware and other digital threats. The F-Secure products replace the bank's current offering of Symantec's software.

Barclays will offer its customers a discounted subscription at £16.95 a year (instead of £24.95) for F-Secure's antivirus software, and £27.95 a year (instead of £38.95) for the Internet Security software.

David Mitchell, senior operations manager at Barclays, said: "Online banking means not just ensuring that our own processes are completely secure, but that the customer's PC is protected so that the whole transaction is totally safe."