Santa Barbara, CA, Feb. 21, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cocoon, a free Internet privacy and security software developed by Virtual World Computing, protects from tracking cookies by Google, Facebook, and other online companies.

"We feel that Google Inc. and other popular Internet companies have been allowed too much access to Internet users' computers and personal data," said Vernon Irvin, President and CEO of Virtual World Computing. "Last week, the FTC was asked to investigate Google for Safari cookies, and yesterday, Microsoft claimed Google is doing much the same thing with Internet Explorer. Facebook and many other sites are also tracking user data. Internet users should be informed that there are tools available, such as Cocoon, that give Internet consumers control of their private information."

The Cocoon software prevents Internet users from directly touching a more privacy invasive Internet. Consumers’ online privacy is protected because websites and advertisers only see Cocoon’s Digital Protection Cloud™, hiding unique IP address and preventing online activity from being tracked by cookies. Unlike traditional anti-virus software, Cocoon prevents malicious software and virus downloads by instantly scanning files for viruses before they reach the computer. Additionally, Cocoon offers disposable email addresses, protecting personal email boxes from spam and phishing attacks.

Firefox and Internet Explorer users can easily download the free plug-in, which instantly provides users with greater privacy protection and security when surfing the Web. Cocoon works by securely connecting over any network to Cocoon’s servers, providing enterprise-grade virus protection and encrypting all interactions to prevent cookies and other tracking.

For more information, or to download Cocoon for Internet Explorer or Firefox, please visit www.GetCocoon.com.

About Cocoon:

Cocoon’s Digital Protection Cloud™ secures your online privacy and keeps you safe from predators with a unique combination of data encryption and filtering technologies accessible from any device. Cocoon’s Triple Play Digital Protection™ keeps you safe from viruses, theft and tracking by filtering all your Internet browsing through your own private, secure online cloud.

Virtual World Computing (VWC), creator of Cocoon, was founded in 2008 and is dedicated to creating a safe and private Internet experience.