Google makes stealth purchase of security firm.
Search and entertainment giant
Google
completed the purchase of Internet security firm
GreenBorder Technologies
in mid-May – but hasn’t so much as mentioned the acquisition, even on its new
Google Online Security Blog
.
GreenBorder
operates using what it terms ‘just-in-time virtualization’ technology. When a web browser is launched an extensible operating environment, or virtual session, is established around the browser, thus separating it (and any new windows spawned through the browser) from the operating system.
As a result, any malicious content downloaded and run through the browser is prevented from having any direct access to the operating system.
Since
Google
has not outlined any plans for the
Green Border
technology (or even made any comment on its purchase so far), speculation has been rife as to what the company do with the acquired technology: bloggers have speculated that the company could offer a security service, much like
Microsoft
‘s
Windows OneCare
, and that
Google
may well rebrand and release
GreenBorder
‘s software as a free download or as an addition to the
Google Toolbar
, while others have suggested that the technology will be used to better secure
Google
‘s increasing range of online applications.
Free downloads of
GreenBorder
software are no longer available from www.greenborder.com, although existing customers have
been advised
that they will continue to receive support until the end of their current subscriptions.
Posted on 30 May 2007 by
Virus Bulletin
Leave a Reply