14 DAY TRIAL // In order to protect its users from Web-based malware attacks, Opera has integrated AVG's Data Feed technology into the latest version (10.60) of its browser. The solution provides real-time information about malicious URLs and emerging threats.
Despite the Web being the principal malware distribution medium for years now, Web browsers have lagged behind as far as user protection mechanisms are concerned. Firefox relies on Google's SafeBrowsing API to block attack websites, while Microsoft maintains its own blacklist for Internet Explorer, however these solutions have proven inefficient blocking today's hit and run-type attacks.
AVG, the developer of one of the most popular antivirus products, provides its Data Feed technology under the form of a SDK (Software Development Kit), to make it easier for others to integrate it into their own products. The security vendor advertises it as a solution for search companies, online advertisers, social media sites, banks, financial institutions, ID theft companies and now, apparently, browser developers.
The malicious URL information provided through the AVG Data Feed is obtained using the same technology that powers one of the developer's other successful products – the AVG LinkScanner. The AVG LinkScanner, which is also integrated into the company's antivirus solutions, can be downloaded as a stand-alone program, and employs code analysis to determine if websites are malicious or not.
"AVG LinkScanner inspects the web page code in transit, before it displays in a browser. Using various code inspection technologies, LinkScanner reads the web code (html, javascript, vbscript etc.) and determines if the code is legitimate or malicious in real-time," explained Tony Anscombe, AVG's ambassador of free products, in a recent interview with Softpedia. "On an average day, LinkScanner detects and blocks millions of malicious URLs BEFORE users visit them," he stressed.
In related news, for a limited time earlier today, Opera users had trouble accessing Facebook.com, because it was being flagged by the new technology as a fraud website. A company employee has confirmed the issue via Twitter. "Apologies for the inconvenience. It was a 'false positive' and the problem has now been resolved," he wrote in response to reports about the situation.
Opera 10.60 for Windows can be downloaded from here.
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