Backup software and data protection solutions provider— Acronis, is teaming up with VirusTotal, a Google subsidiary that provides service for detection of viruses, worms, trojans, and other malicious content in files and URLs.
As a part of the partnership, Acronis will integrate its machine learning-based malware detection engine called Acronis PE Analyzer into VirusTotal platform.
Execution of malware is rapidly increasing year over year and causing threat to Windows operating systems. As per the leading cybersecurity firm Comodo, over 400 million unique malwares were detected in the top-level domains (TLDs) in the second quarter of 2018 alone. AV-TEST registered nearly 400,000 new malware samples a day, which included trojans, backdoors, ransomware, and cryptojackers.
Acronis PE Analyzer aims to address these threats. It is an effective anti-malware solution that uses machine learning models for detecting any Window PE malware.
The company mentioned that its machine learning model is based on a Gradient Boosting Decision Tree that is integrated with a number of neural network models. This creates a file portrait of the threats on the basis of several static characteristics.
This machine learning model can operate independently without an internet connection, while providing high detection rate.
“Given how quickly data threats are evolving, the nature of data protection is fundamentally changing. Solutions must prevent the malicious attacks that target backups to be effective, which is why Acronis has invested in developing our proactive defensive technologies,” said Oleg Melnikov, Acronis Technology Officer.
“Our mission is to protect all data, however, and incorporating our ML-based engine into VirusTotal is the best way to ensure the entire security industry can benefit from Acronis PE Analyzer’s detection capabilities.”
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Acronis has built the PE Analyzer as a part of its new cyber protection suite which will be released in 2019. Before launching Acronis PE Analyzer, the company will make several improvements to the solution. These improvements will made on the basis of insights gained by its VirusTotal use.
Last month, Acronis had launched the version 7.8 of its Data Cloud Platform with around 80 new features and advancements.
