The long-established Lavasoft Ad-Aware Security Toolbar, a stand-alone solution as well as an opt-in bundled with all Ad-Aware AV product installers (and "necessary" only in Free AV+), is being replaced with Web Companion.
Yes, it's FREE!!
http://toolbar.lavasoft.com/
http://www.lavasoft.com/mylavasoft/company/blog/web-companion-beta-is-now-available
http://webcompanion.com/
http://webcompanion.com/malware_url_blocker
While the Toolbar is, well, a browser toolbar, Companion is an in-line process. Branded as Lavasoft MUB is the real-time "URL Lookup Cloud System for Malware Filtering." One might conclude some benefit from their partnership with Bitdefender: "...intelligence shared with industry security partners."
One partner is surely Malware Domains. There are three constantly updated local files, and a Malware Domains txt file and two password protected zip files named hourly and weekly from Malware Domains' URL Labs. Generally this strategy is employed to reduce load on the cloud services. And a first-tier filter, no doubt.
Mentioned is Lavasoft CMP with no mention what CMP means. (I'll try and find out.) EDIT: Content Malware Protection.
I ran the Beta and found it installs a TCP Service and a Search Protection Service which filters via the local proxy (aka 127.0.0.1, aka loopback). Theoretically, that should offer protection across all Web enabled applications, not just the browser, but they don't make that claim - rather "advanced web protection." Read into that what you want.
I did not find any Bitdefender libraries or drives associated with the Companion run time or services.
The settings UI access is by a tray icon.
When installed with an Ad-Aware AV, my thinking is that it will add a long-absent cloud component to their product offerings. It should greatly enhance Free AV+ which begs for a better zero-day protection level. For the paid versions, I hope Lavasoft can manage to integrate the cloud as an application core as I am not particularly fond of processes (other than system) using the local proxy.
Currently in Beta, the production release is scheduled sometime in September which is almost now.
Wait and see... Cheers.
Yes, it's FREE!!
http://toolbar.lavasoft.com/
http://www.lavasoft.com/mylavasoft/company/blog/web-companion-beta-is-now-available
http://webcompanion.com/
http://webcompanion.com/malware_url_blocker
While the Toolbar is, well, a browser toolbar, Companion is an in-line process. Branded as Lavasoft MUB is the real-time "URL Lookup Cloud System for Malware Filtering." One might conclude some benefit from their partnership with Bitdefender: "...intelligence shared with industry security partners."
One partner is surely Malware Domains. There are three constantly updated local files, and a Malware Domains txt file and two password protected zip files named hourly and weekly from Malware Domains' URL Labs. Generally this strategy is employed to reduce load on the cloud services. And a first-tier filter, no doubt.
Mentioned is Lavasoft CMP with no mention what CMP means. (I'll try and find out.) EDIT: Content Malware Protection.
I ran the Beta and found it installs a TCP Service and a Search Protection Service which filters via the local proxy (aka 127.0.0.1, aka loopback). Theoretically, that should offer protection across all Web enabled applications, not just the browser, but they don't make that claim - rather "advanced web protection." Read into that what you want.
I did not find any Bitdefender libraries or drives associated with the Companion run time or services.
The settings UI access is by a tray icon.
When installed with an Ad-Aware AV, my thinking is that it will add a long-absent cloud component to their product offerings. It should greatly enhance Free AV+ which begs for a better zero-day protection level. For the paid versions, I hope Lavasoft can manage to integrate the cloud as an application core as I am not particularly fond of processes (other than system) using the local proxy.
Currently in Beta, the production release is scheduled sometime in September which is almost now.
Wait and see... Cheers.
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