Sophos security has announced that it will be introducing a free range of software geared at protecting sensitive data and preventing it from being leaked outside of corporate firewalls - directly taking on rivals like Symantec and McAfee.

Company spokesman Mike Haro said that the application will be released free of charge for anyone that buys other Sophos products (namely their internet security series and anti-virus software). He also said on Thursday that the Anglo-U.S. company's goal is to boost sales of its anti-virus software for business personal computers.

Symantec and McAfee may stand to suffer here - as we all know that people like to try software for free before they buy it, and most end up sticking with what they have tried and tested. That said, with Symantec and McAfee so far ahead of their next market competition, it is unlikely that shift will occur before the end of the year - but we shall soon see.