Vulnerability Scanner and Spyware Detection Service Finds Holes and Identifies Web Vulnerabilities

By Stephanie Jordan
in

Last week Webroot, a provider of Internet security for the consumer, enterprise and SMB markets, added vulnerability scanning delivered in the cloud to its Webroot Web Security Service. The extra layer of protection scans endpoints directly from the Desktop Web Proxy (DWP) to identify known vulnerabilities.

Searching for the most usual ways Web-based malware is delivered to business and consumer computers, the new service runs weekly and monthly tests for more than 400 common vulnerabilities found in operating systems, Web browsers, browser plug-ins, Microsoft Office and its components, media players, instant messaging software and various third-party solutions.

“Organizations are finding that vulnerability assessments that are mired on the desktop are becoming more burdensome and less effective,” says Gerhard Eschelbeck, chief technology officer for Webroot. “Leveraging the cloud, we’re enabling organizations to aggressively monitor their IT infrastructure without worrying about its affect on user productivity, and with much better protection than traditional solutions.”

Also included in the update is a new layer of anti-spyware detection. In addition to monitoring outbound traffic from a system, Webroot can now automatically analyze the processes running on the user’s computer. This additional layer of protection ensures that threats are identified before they have a chance to spread. The service tests for more than 3,500 known malicious programs today and is continually updated for the latest threats.

According to the company, its vulnerability scanning takes less than 15 seconds and leverages the cloud for up-to-date vulnerabilities and spyware definitions to help ensure endpoints are secure.

The vulnerability scanner addition to the Webroot Web Security Service is now available through Webroot channel partners, as well as to direct customers.

 

Published May 13, 2010