Screenshot by Don Reisinger/CNET

Facebook has inked a rather interesting deal with several security vendors.

The social network said today that it has launched the Antivirus Marketplace, a place on its security page where users can download anti-malware software from McAfee, Norton, Sophos, Trend Micro, and Microsoft for free. The software, which includes Norton AntiVirus, Trend Micro Internet Security, and others, can be used for free for six months to a year, depending on what a user downloads.

In addition, Facebook said today that the five companies have agreed to hand over their URL blacklist databases to the social network. Facebook has its own blacklist, but with help from the others, it can go a long way in blocking more malicious links that might be shared on the site.

Facebook's Antivirus Marketplace is available now to both Mac and PC users. In order to download the free software, Facebook users must be signed in to the service.