Google acquires online security startup VirusTotal

Google

Google has acquired startup VirusTotal for an undisclosed sum to bolster the security offered to the search engine's users.

The security firm specialises in web-based malware scanning tools that allow end users to analyse attachments and suspicious URLs.

This is great news for you, and bad news for malware generators.

VirusTotal confirmed the deal in a blog post on Friday, and said Google's backing will allow the business to expand faster.

"The quality and power of our malware research tools will keep improving, most likely faster," said the post.

"Google's infrastructure will ensure that our tools are always ready, right when you need them."

The firm was also quick to confirm that VirusTotal will continue to operate as an independent company, once the Google deal is wrapped up.

"VirusTotal will continue to operate independently, maintaining our partnerships with other antivirus companies and security experts," the blog post stated.

"Google has a long track record working to keep people safe online and we look forward to fighting the good fight together with them."

Caroline Donnelly is the news and analysis editor of IT Pro and its sister site Cloud Pro, and covers general news, as well as the storage, security, public sector, cloud and Microsoft beats. Caroline has been a member of the IT Pro/Cloud Pro team since March 2012, and has previously worked as a reporter at several B2B publications, including UK channel magazine CRN, and as features writer for local weekly newspaper, The Slough and Windsor Observer. She studied Medical Biochemistry at the University of Leicester and completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Magazine Journalism at PMA Training in 2006.