Real-Time Service Updates Instantly Protect Internet Users from Malicious Sites and Zero-Day Threats

Bracknell, UK– September 27, 2011 — Webroot, the first Internet security service company, today announced enhancements to its hosted web filtering services which introduce new levels of protection against malicious sites and zero-day threats.

Webroot uses automated learning content classification and reputation analytics to maintain the industry’s largest cloud-based URL and IP address database. With a base of more than 280 million URLs, Webroot now updates its database within minutes to protect connected users from new and known threats virtually as soon as they’re discovered. Competing web filtering services, meanwhile, update their URL and domain databases hourly and sometimes only daily, leaving customers with a window of exposure to fast-moving threats.

The web filtering service from Webroot is extended to organisations using Webroot® Web Security Service and to OEM technology partners that integrate Webroot® Hosted Security Services into their own products.

“To beat cybercrime today, it’s all about speed. More than 200,000 new sites are launched daily, and over 90 percent of them are associated with suspicious activity,” said Mike Malloy, executive vice president of Products and Strategy at Webroot. “Cybercriminals register URLs and domains to help spread thousands of unique malware samples through drive-by downloads, social engineering tactics like “get rich quick” scams, and numerous other ways. Real-time protection against malicious URLs and web domains changes the game; we’re warning users and IT administrators about a malicious site before anyone using our service can connect with it, and every second counts.”

The content classification and reputation services from Webroot are based on technology the company acquired from BrightCloud in July 2010. Webroot maintains this service in more than 40 languages, making the protection suited for OEM partners regardless of geographic location. Webroot has also recently partnered with the Internet Watch Foundation to block illegal child sex abuse. More than 24,000 organisations today are protected by Webroot’s hosted web security services through the company’s OEM partners.

The network security company Stonesoft incorporates hosted web filtering services from Webroot into their network security solutions and technologies. “The secure web gateway we extend to managed service providers, large global companies, and other types of organizations worldwide,” said Matt McKinley, U.S. director of product management, Stonesoft. “Especially for businesses with a geographically dispersed workforce, scalable solutions that feature simple centralized management are key. But above all, effective, comprehensive service is the most important factor. This extends to the web filtering services we include to block inappropriate or malicious web content from reaching our customers’ employees and networks. We partnered with Webroot two years ago to help us deliver on this critical need. Now with even faster protection against malicious sites we’ll be able to deliver even greater value for our customers.”