Free browser security testing service
Qualys announced a free service, Qualys BrowserCheck, that scans web browsers looking for security flaws within the browser and its plug-ins.
Security flaws in modern web browsers and their plug-ins are the preferred target of a majority of malware attacks. But many users are not aware of the risks to which their browsers expose them every time they shop online, play browser-based games and get news updates from the Internet.
Run interactively by users from the major Windows web browsers, Qualys BrowserCheck scans the browser as well as its plug-ins to identify insecure and out-of-date versions that put its users at risk.
BrowserCheck detects:
- Browser version (IE 6.0+, Firefox 3.0+, Chrome 4.0+)
- Adobe Flash Player
- Adobe Reader 5.x and above
- Adobe Shockwave Player
- Apple Quicktime
- BEA JRockit
- Microsoft Silverlight
- Microsoft Windows Media Player
- Real Player
- Sun Java
- Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) plug-in for Mozilla browsers
- Windows OS support expiration.
Qualys BrowserCheck uses security information compiled by the Qualys vulnerability research team paired with a light-weight browser extension to provide a fast and accurate assessment of the security state of the browser itself and its plug-ins.
“Almost 100 percent of all browsers we have surveyed have plug-ins installed that enable the user to play music, watch video, visualize PDF files and play games. Frequently these plug-ins are overlooked by the users and are not updated, representing a significant security exposure – both for end-users and corporate clients,” said Philippe Courtot, chairman and CEO of Qualys. “BrowserCheck is an easy and straightforward way to take care of the flaws and to assure the user of a smooth and secure browsing experience.”
Qualys offers also a free website malware detection service, learn more about it in this video.