Web Filtering Coming to PSP and PS3

By Joe Haygood | April 27, 2009

Today, Trend Micro announced that they were going to start offering two new products to protect young users of both the Sony PSP and PS3.  The first of the two products is Trend Micro Kids Safety for the PSP.  The software will block the ability for users to access controversal sites like adult content, violence and more.  The second product,  Trend Micro Web Security for PSP blocks the ability to visit websites that have vunerabilities that might end up attacking, and infecting your PSP, or using it as a travel mechanism to a PC.

Both of these products are available for free on the PSP.  The two products are also available for the PS3, but there is a $19.95 per product charge for these items on the PS3.

Funny thing is that we joke about this current generation of consoles being more like their computer breathern, and here we are, with Virus Scan companies, making web filtering, and content scanning software for your consoles and portable console systesm.  What’s next, a version of Office specifically designed to use the PS3?

Trend Micro Offers Free Trial Web Security Services for the PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) System and Expands to Paid Security Services for the PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(R)) System

Trend Micro extends protection beyond the PC; the PSP system can now be protected from malicious Web threats through Trend Micro’s URL filtering and Web reputation technologies, while the PS3 system expands to a new paid security service.

TOKYO, April 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Trend Micro is offering free trial Web security services for the PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) handheld entertainment system and paid Web security services for the PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(R)) computer entertainment system from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI).

Trend Micro Kids Safety for PSP(R) (PlayStation Portable) uses Trend Micro’s URL filtering technology to prevent children from accessing Web sites that feature inappropriate content. Blocked categories include: Adult/Sex, Cults/The Occult, Gambling, Crime, Illegal Drugs, Alcohol/Tobacco, Sex Education, Weapons/Military, and Violence/Discrimination.

Trend Micro Web Security for PSP(R) (PlayStation Portable) uses Trend Micro’s Web reputation technology to block PSP users from accidentally visiting a Web site that may contain malicious content designed to steal personal information and confidential data such as bank account information, and credit card numbers. Web reputation is one of the main components of the Trend Micro(TM) Smart Protection Network, a cloud-client security infrastructure that checks the security of more than five billion URL, email and file queries daily. With Trend Micro Smart Protection Network, PSP users receive instant, real-time protection.

Though most families remember to install security on their home PCs and laptops, handheld entertainment systems should also be a priority for security, as Web browsing on these devices becomes a more popular feature for many consumers. Not only should children be protected from accessing inappropriate Web sites through these handheld systems, all users of Web-enabled portable devices should be protected from accidentally visiting a Web site that contains infectious malware designed to steal personal information.

By using both services together, Trend Micro provides multiple layers of protection against malicious Web sites and Internet fraud.

North American Pricing and Availability for PSP

Trend Micro Kids Safety and Trend Micro Web Security will be available on the PSP system as of the system software update v.5.50, which is releasing on April 21. Users will need to download and install the 5.50 update to access the trial. The services will be available worldwide and in 12 languages as a free trial until the end of July 2009. Pricing for this service after the free trial period will be announced later.

*Users need to activate the service.

Protection also available on PS3
Trend Micro Kids Safety and Trend Micro Web Security are available in 16 languages as a paid subscription on the PLAYSTATION 3 system starting May 11, 2009. Users will need to download and install the 2.70 system software update to access the services. The price is US$19.99 for each individual service and US$34.99 if purchased together. Subscribe between May 11, 2009 through August 31, 2009 and receive 30 percent off from the regular purchase price. Trend Micro previously offered a security service on a free trial basis to PS3 owners.

*Users need to download the PS3 system software ver. 2.70, and will be able to register for the service.

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. Visit TrendWatch at www.trendmicro.com/go/trendwatch to learn more about the latest 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.

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