Google Acquires Malware and Virus Detection Service VirusTotal

Hothardware ^ | Friday, September 07, 2012 | Paul Lilly

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Malware scanner VirusTotal announced today that it's been purchased by Google for an undisclosed sum. Apparently Google's been a long-time partner of the online scanning service, and now the two have tied the knot in antivirus matrimony.

If you've never used VirusTotal before, go ahead and bookmark the website. VirusTotal is an awesome (and free!) resource that checks files for viruses, but the differentiating feature here is that it taps into 44 different antivirus scan engines. The only caveat is that files you upload can't be larger than 32MB, though perhaps that will change if Google decides to flex its vast resources.

"VirusTotal will continue to operate independently, maintaining our partnerships with other antivirus companies and security experts," VirusTotal stated in a blog post. "This is an exciting step forward. Google has a long track record working to keep people safe online and we look forward to fighting the good fight together with them."

With Google now in charge, VirusTotal says you can expect two things. First, the quality and power of the service's malware research tools will improve at a faster rate. And secondly, Google's infrastructure will ensure that VirusTotal is "always ready."

[GeronL]

Is it only a matter of time until there is a Google O/S?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

First time I have heard of these guys.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Well ,....they have chrome for browsing....and of course there is Android for mobiles.....

And Android is a modified Linux kernel.

[GeronL]

Maybe if Google did an O/S Toshiba would update their drivers for us Linux users.

[ShadowAce]

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I was just looking at this on phoronix:

Intel Updates Its Kernel Driver Code For Testing

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

And there is this from the comments to the article linked just above:

***************************************EXCERPT*********************************************

Michael could you please update mesa android support status, specially for intel's Gen graphics? Does anyone else know something about this?

Seems like Google (aka Motorola Mobility) might be testing their waters with intel based phones. They also seemed really keen on delivering fast android updates. I wonder if this is why intel is being so nice to mesa. It might set a really good example for other companies, specially ARM SoC vendors: people want their phones updated, fast, and open source drivers are the best way to do it. Android consoles like OUYA are also coming up, and I doubt consumers will be happy in lagging behind android updates. A haswell based OUYA might be some pretty interesting gaming machine, and put intel in a market currently dominated by nvidia and amd. Interesting times ahead...

[erod]

If Google makes an O/S and it’s good. Microsoft can kiss their collective asses goodbye.

[erod]

Can I get added on the Tech Ping list?

[GeronL]

So they are focusing on phones. Interesting

[ShadowAce]

You’ve been added! Welcome aboard!

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

I don’t get it. So I download File X to my computer, and then decide to upload File X to this site to analyze it for me?

1. What if I don’t even know about the existence of File X?
2. What about the other 4,546,782 files on my computer, do I upload each of those as well?
3. What if File X has already done it’s nasty deeds by the time I spot it and decide to upload it for scanning?

[erod]

thanks!

[nickcarraway]

Chrome is an Operating System. (as well as a browser)

[erod]

I saw that on the net after I posted that comment. But imo if Google got serious about their OS made some improvements and launched a full scale marketing attack, I really do believe that they could overtake MS if their platform was free ad had many of the functions of Windows.