Webroot Software is expanding the distribution of Webroot® Spy Sweeper® Enterprise and Webroot SME Security by extending its distributor relationship with Ingram Micro (NYSE: IM) to Canada. The leading leading provider of security software for the consumer, enterprise and SMB markets, tries to block the rise in identity fraud, corporate data breaches and malicious applications. This new parthnership demonstrates Webroot’s commitment to expand the accessibility of its award-winning products on a global basis.

    Mike Irwin, COO, Webroot Software, said: "According to the Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPC), the average cost of identity theft per person has risen by 300 percent between 2005 and 2006. Much of this is due to the vulnerability of customer and employee data residing on the networks of both large and small companies. Businesses need to know that even the smallest data breach can dramatically affect their customers and the public trust in their brand. We are working aggressively to increase online security in Canada through the Webroot Channel Edge Partner program and by offering a best of breed solution to stop malware. The team at Ingram Micro Canada is an extremely important partner in helping us deliver on this effort.”

    Ingram Micro will now offer Webroot Spy Sweeper Enterprise and Webroot SME Security to solution providers throughout Canada, as well as offer marketing, training, and customer service and support. Webroot already is available to consumers in Canada through various retail channels. Spyware has rapidly got on the top of the list of enterprise security threats and now ranks as the second most serious threat facing corporations today, according to IDC's annual security survey. IDC believes that 40-50 percent of all help desk calls are currently related to spyware. This influence of spyware can spell disaster for an already overloaded help desk in the SMB environment.

    Irwin  added: “The sophistication of malware exploits is increasing in proportion to the increase in reward. As the profitability of PC attacks increases, so has the level of research and development. According to industry analysts, 5 percent of all sites host malware and will go offline very rapidly, or increasingly hide in plain sight on well known web sites. This type of threat requires the most advanced and automated threat detection possible.”

    Security has become a growing priority among small and medium businesses because the Internet usage and high-speed access increase. AMI-Partners think that Canadian SMBs will invest US$429 million this year on security-related products and services - up some 22 percent from last year. According to Laurie McCabe, an analyst at AMI-Partners, “The growth of new spyware variants is accelerating faster than viruses. SMBs need to deploy security solutions to effectively protect themselves and their businesses against both of these threats.”

For more information visit www.webroot.com.