To keep up with evolving computer viruses, top consumer information technology security companies are now relying more and more on “cloud” technology that can deliver real-time protection for clients.
Recently, Kaspersky Labs unveiled its new Internet Security application for 2012.
The company said the new version of its flagship home-user product features a ground-breaking innovation called “hybrid” security protection.
“Kaspersky Lab strives to continually improve the technologies we use in order to successfully counter the ever more complex computer threats that appear daily. That is why Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 and Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2012 feature a whole host of new and improved features,” the company said in a statement.
It said the old way anti-virus programs used to work was by downloading periodic patches to keep its database of known threats. These patches were saved on a user’s hard drive.
But with roughly 35,000 new malicious programs coming out each day, doing it the old way no longer cuts it, the company said.
“There are no signatures for these new threats, meaning innovative methods are required to detect them,” it added.
In the 2012 version of Kaspersky Lab’s home user product, cloud-based technologies—the cutting-edge of antivirus development—have been improved.
By regularly exchanging information between products installed on computers of other users around the world, which become centralized databases in the cloud, the most up-to-date threat information is made available to protect users.
Based on data collected from other users, the company’s central data base can determine the “reputation” of a file downloaded from the Internet.
The new software does the same for Internet addresses to detect sites that may not be safe.
Users will then be shown a file’s threat rating as determined by the Kaspersky Security Network cloud service.
In a separate announcement, Symantec likewise unveiled its new Internet Security program under consumer brand Norton.
It also unveiled the new Norton One security application—a single program that provides security from IT threats for multiple devices.
“Today’s Internet-enabled household relies on multiple devices to communicate, work, shop and play,” Symantec said.
Based on its research, Symantec said an average user has 4.5 devices in one’s household connected to the Internet. These include desktop computers, laptops, tablets and mobile phones.
“All these devices need protection against online threats. But [we need] to provide more than just basic security and must cover the distinct needs of all the household’s connected devices,” the company said.
“Norton One is a one-of-a-kind, new model that will address the security and service challenges that consumers face today.”