Anti-virus vendor acquires Exploit Prevention Labs

Grisoft announced the acquisition of Exploit Prevention Labs, a pioneering developer of safe surfing technology that protects Internet users against malicious web sites and drive-by downloaded exploits. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. The deal is expected to be finalized by December 31st 2007.

The acquisition will allow Grisoft to leapfrog the safe surfing initiatives of other anti-virus vendors, who have focused on database-driven approaches that are incompatible with the dynamic, elusive nature of these threats. Exploit Prevention Labs’ experience has shown that real-time analysis is the most reliable method of protecting users against fast-moving Web 2.0-style attacks by cybercriminals.

Most of Exploit Prevention Labs’ 18 employees — including key executives Roger Thompson, Greg Mosher and Chris Weltzien — will join Grisoft. Roger Thompson becomes Chief Research Officer (CRO), Greg Mosher becomes VP of Engineering, and Chris Weltzien becomes VP of Business Development.

Short-term product integration plans include adding LinkScanner technology to AVG Anti-Virus Free and offering LinkScanner Online, a free on-demand URL scanning service, directly from the AVG web site. Grisoft also expects to maintain LinkScanner Pro, Exploit Prevention Labs’ flagship product, as a standalone offering.