Facebook users offered free McAfee security software

Facebook users seem to have welcomed the tie in with McAfee

In one of the first moves of its kind by a social network, Facebook has partnered with McAfee to offer all 350 million users free security software for a six-month period.

The partnership is initially set to last a year, and a special discount on the software will be available to Facebook users when the free software deal ends.

Facebook explained that the partnership is designed to bolster the computer security of people accessing the social networking site.

"We have a lot of control over security measures on Facebook. However, we don't control other web sites and services you visit that might infect your computer," said Jake Brill, integrity team project manager at Facebook, in a blog post.

"For this reason, we recommend that you install updated security software, which you can now do at no cost through this partnership. Now, if your computer is infected, you will be asked to run a scan and clean it before accessing Facebook.

"We are not aware of another free internet service that takes this much responsibility for helping people keep their accounts secure."

Facebook users wanting to take advantage of the offer should visit the McAfee page on Facebook and click on the Protect Your PC tab.

So far over 2,000 Facebook users have said that they like the idea of the partnership.