Virgin Media to warn customers of malware infections

Virgin Media is seeking to differentiate on its security offerings

Virgin Media is aiming to tackle the spread of malware by educating its customers about how to defend against the latest threats.

The company's Internet Security team is writing to customers whose computers show signs of infection, offering advice on ways to scan the system and remove any malicious content.

Customers who need additional help are being urged to contact Virgin Media's Digital Home Support which offers a remote virus removal service.

Virgin Media claims that a quarter of its customers have used the service to resolve malware-related issues since its launch in April. Prices start at £6 per month for single computer protection, rising to £10 for multiple device protection.

"It's time for ISPs to go beyond the basics and do whatever they can to help protect their customers from this growing problem," said Jon James, executive director of broadband at Virgin Media.

"Customers may think they are protected but malware can infect a computer just by visiting an innocent looking web site, and we're going to do whatever we can to help."

TalkTalk has also been busy on malware protection software, but has faced criticism from privacy groups after it was alleged that sites viewed by its customers were being tracked to help build an effective malicious site blocker. The ISP was subsequently dubbed 'StalkStalk'.

TalkTalk told V3.co.uk that its anti-malware capabilities continue to be tested and should be launched in the second half of the year.

"The software will be available free to customers, and the privacy issues previously raised are being taken into account during this testing phase," said a spokeswoman.

Virgin Media has taken a more generalised approach to providing malware protection because of privacy issues raised when firms such as TalkTalk started to gather user information, explained Andy Kellett, senior analyst at Ovum.

“It becomes problematic when ISP’s start saying that they are monitoring user activity. However, the more information companies can get, the more comprehensive a product they can offer,” he said.

ISP’s could potentially use services they provide against malicious content to differentiate themselves from rivals as the market becomes more competitive, Kellett added.

The Zeus botnet has been the most recent high-profile attack, managing to siphon over £600,000 from 3,000 bank accounts.

Malware reached its highest ever levels in the first half of this year, according to stats from McAfee, which urged the industry to go on the offensive in the fight against cyber criminals.