Ghanaian based internet service provider, BusyInternet, and Microsoft Anglophone West Africa (MAWA) on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide internet users with modern software security.
The software known as Microsoft Internet Explorer Eight (IE8), enables users to take full control over who can and cannot track their activities, ensure adequate peace and security; and provide regular update of personal information.
The MOU which was jointly signed by Mr Praveen Sadalage, Managing Director of BusyInternet, and Mr Ken Spann, Development Platform Manager of MAWA, would permit BusyInternet to operate a two-month promotion between June and July 2010, where IE8 users could browse free for 30 minutes with their laptops.
Mr Sadalage explained that IE8 security software was the latest internet protective technology developed by Microsoft that enabled computer users to access internet for a range of activities.
He said the product had a host of other security technologies that would also ensure that one's personal surfing identity information was
secured, especially at public places.
Mr Sadalage said, "IE8 promises to deliver greater security for Internet users with features such as in-private browsing which allows
Internet users to securely conduct e-Commerce, online banking and other sensitive browsing tasks more securely and leave no traces of their visits
to the sensitive sites."
He Sadalage said the project was the first of many joint efforts between BusyInternet and Microsoft. "Over the last ten years, BusyInternet
has not only led the internet revolution in the country, but is constantly employing innovative ways to bring quality and affordable services to our customers.
"Busy's partnership with Microsoft West Africa is therefore in line with our corporate mission to provide the best and safest public ICT services in Africa, which will serve as a platform for access to the socio-economic opportunities of the information environment," he said.
Mr Spann said Microsoft was working hard towards ensuring internet security since it was one of the hallmarks, as well as a responsibility the company owed its customers.
He noted that without the facility, some of the information accessed could be stored on the computer after browsing and that this could be
accessed by someone who had a relatively good understanding of computers and where to find the little traces called 'cookie crumbs'.
"That fellow can therefore have access to your most personal information like credit card numbers, bank account details or passwords".
Mr Spann said IE8 had been designed to alert users on "Phishing" attempts.
He described phishing as a criminal attempt by hackers to secure people's personal information online, generally spread through email directing unsuspecting consumers to fake websites and asking them to enter sensitive
information.
Mr Spann said trails indicated that IE8 had contributed to blocking a total of over 125 million phishing sites since its introduction.
Mr Komla Dzunu, Marketing Communications Specialist of BusyInternet, said "Browser Security is important for customers and we are happy to collaborate with Microsoft to provide greater protection for our customers."