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Bit9 Releases New Online Search Engine That Draws From the World's Largest Knowledgebase to Identify Computer Files

Posted on: Monday, 13 March 2006, 09:00 CST

Bit9, Inc., which solves the problem of unwanted software at the endpoint, today unveiled the first free search engine for identifying software files on any Windows(R) computer. Drawing from the Web, physical media, and technology partnerships to create an enormous database with more than 4 terabytes of data and 250 million file records, Bit9 FileAdvisor(TM) (http://fileadvisor.bit9.com) offers accurate file identification, source information, and other useful data on the otherwise unknown files on your computer. The result? Consumers, business users, and IT professionals can trace the source of the software on their computers, helping to identify applications that are wanted or unwanted. The ultimate goal of the service is to remove the mystery from the many files that reside on desktops and laptops -- from device drivers to applications to system files.

"There are many files on enterprise and consumer desktops that are not immediately recognizable, and this makes it difficult to separate the good from the bad," said Eric Ogren, security analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group. "Bit9 provides real-time visibility and trusted source information about what is actually executing on computers -- information that would please any security-conscious user."

Bit9 FileAdvisor is available free via its own web site, http://fileadvisor.bit9.com, as a downloadable utility, and from Bit9's home page, www.bit9.com. Bit9 has compiled the data via an innovative, proprietary method of crawling the Web, through aggressive acquisition of physical media, as well as through partnerships with IBM and others. In addition, Bit9 FileAdvisor uses the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) National Software Reference Library (NSRL) Reference Data Set (RDS) -- also known as the NIST Special Database 28 -- as well as the Department of Justice's Hashkeeper database. Never before have these databases and other sources of information been aggregated in such a gigantic repository and made available to the general public. The FileAdvisor database currently holds 4 terabytes of data and is growing by 1 terabyte a month. It currently contains more than 25 million unique files and 250 million file records.

With Bit9 FileAdvisor, users benefit from:

-- A new, free service offering the industry's best file identification, providing the broadest coverage with the most in-depth source information and flexible query options.

-- An interactive user interface to drill down on data and run ad hoc queries.

-- Flexible access options including a Web interface and a standalone Windows utility.

"Bit9 FileAdvisor is a very compelling service for anyone needing to identify software files," said George Kassabgi, president and CEO of Bit9. "Let's say you have a file name or its cryptographic hash; you can look up either piece of data on FileAdvisor, and immediately know who made the file, what the application is, what commercial software packages contain it, and how many instances of it are in the marketplace. This information is valuable in understanding what something is and whether or not it should be on your desktop."

As a free service, FileAdvisor offers a subset of functionality of Bit9's new ParityCenter(TM) service, also announced today. ParityCenter integrates with Bit9's flagship Parity(TM) endpoint security software to identify new and unknown software, enabling IT professionals to determine whether it is appropriate to run within a company's infrastructure. This enables enterprise users to identify potentially malicious or otherwise unwanted software in real time, before it affects their enterprise desktops. Armed with this visibility and knowledge, Bit9 Parity and ParityCenter give enterprises the most powerful means to control unwanted software and never worry about spyware, malware, or non-business applications again.

Unlike other endpoint security products that focus on what's wrong or malicious, Bit9 Parity is the only solution that detects and controls what's new and unknown -- without relying on malware signatures or behavioral patterns. Based on patent-pending technology, this approach offers protection and coverage that today's alternatives cannot.

About Bit9, Inc.

Bit9 is the first company to solve the problem of unwanted software at the endpoint. As the only solution to detect and stop spyware, malware, and non-business applications on desktops, laptops, and servers, Bit9 gives IT professionals unprecedented, network-wide visibility and control in real time. Bit9 provides the earliest and best possible protection against known and unknown intrusions, including Zero-day attacks. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Bit9 is a privately held company. For more information, visit www.bit9.com.

Bit9, Inc., Parity, ParityCenter, and FileAdvisor are trademarks or registered trademarks of Bit9, Inc. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Source: Business Wire

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