Tokyo-based security software vendor, Trend Micro, has announced an agreement with Microsoft to provide antivirus scanning and cleaning protection for the MSN Hotmail web-based email service.

The 187 million email customers, including 4.1 million Australian Ninemsn Hotmail users, will receive automatic protection anytime they send and receive email attachments via Trend Micro's scanning and detection services.

"Ninemsn is focused on providing a safer online experience for our Australian customers, and on a global level we continue to make investments in this area. We're pleased to work with Trend Micro, to provide deeper antivirus protection for our Hotmail customers," said Martin Hoffman, CEO of Ninemsn. "Today Hotmail is the only free global email service that provides antivirus scanning and cleaning. This new feature is important as it not only helps protect Hotmail customers but also guards the friends and family they email."

Trend Micro's antivirus technology is designed to protect MSN Hotmail email attachments by scanning in real-time for the latest viruses, Trojans, and worms.

"Our relationship with MSN gives Trend Micro a tremendous opportunity to help protect millions of users with the same virus protection that we have been providing to our customers around the world for many years," said Steve Chang, chairman and founder of Trend Micro.