Free software to combat software piracy and improve the cyber security of Russian PCs
(30/10/2007)

Comodo and ICOS UNESCO IFAP in collaboration with the LinuxCenter has announced the distribution of a new collection of software launched through a joint project called the "Free Software for Education, Science and Culture". The software will be distributed via CD-ROMs and includes a diverse set of applications to enable improved desktop security and to help users manage documents, graphic, audio and video data and office programs.

This initiative is privately funded by ICOS UNESCO IFAP, an NGO (Non Government Organization) based in Russia focused on stimulating educational, science and cultural outreach within many ex-USSR regions. ICOS UNESCO IFAP will distribute this CD-ROM free of charge, and it includes a complete set of the most popular software products - Comodo Firewall Pro, Comodo AntiSPAM, office productivity software, graphic editors, FTP-client, etc.

"The total cost of these proprietary software products, would normally be around USD $4,000", noted project coordinator and ICOS UNESCO IFAP (Russia) representative Eugene Altovsky., "We are launching this initiative to stem the use of pirated copies of commercial software products by distributing users this free alternative. The CD-ROM gives users all this software at no cost to encourage people to use authorized versions of software rather than pirated versions".

In addition to combating software piracy in Russia, this initiative also serves another important purpose - to improve the cyber security of Russian PCs. This CD-ROM includes security software such as the award winning Comodo Firewall Pro, Comodo AntiSPAM and utilities for timely updating of operational systems.

"The release of this CD-ROM will protect many computers from harmful malware and viruses," said Melih Abdulhayoglu, CEO and Chief Security Architect of Comodo. "Our goal is to make the Internet safer for all users by making our high quality security products, like Comodo Firewall Pro, accessible to all. They are free, have the multilingual interface, and are available to all organizations to distribute as part of a worldwide effort to improve cyber security for all PCs users."

Other software copyright holders included in CD-ROM have been supportive of this initiative and include Solveig Multimedia and Adobe Systems Incorporated. The CD-ROM for Windows will be available at ICOS UNESCO IFAP (Russia) events and through an extended network of community centers within the framework of PCLI Programme. The CD-ROM can be copied and duplicated freely without further permission.