Simplicita ZBX targets zombies
A Denver company wants to scare away the zombies from your computer. Simplicita, a provider of technology for Internet service providers, is releasing Simplicita ZBX this week in an effort to protect computer users.
Zombies or botnets are malicious pieces of software that allow an infected computer to be controlled by a centralized user. Most computer users rarely know that a zombie is at work on their machine. A computer acting as a zombie or botnet can be manipulated to send out spam or viruses, or to log another user’s keystrokes in an attempt to steal private information.
According to CipherTrust, a messaging security company, about 200,000 new zombies are identified each day. In addition to e-mail and websites, file sharing and music downloads can spread the malicious work of zombies.
ZBX would be used by ISPs to notify customers that their computer is being used as a zombie. The system would then help users fix the problem immediately, by either running anti-virus software, calling a computer professional or suggesting they get a new computer.
If users decide to wait to fix the problem, ZBX redirects them to a safe zone, or “walled garden,” where they can still use e-mail and surf the Web. Too many trips to the walled garden could result in an ISP cutting off a user’s service, as infected computers can also harm other users.
“Right now, ISPs do this manually. What they do is shut off access, and that’s pretty extreme,” said Robert Fleischman, co-founder and chief technology officer for Simplicita. “Now with services like VoIP and E-911, ISPs just can’t cut off service even if (the problem) is really egregious. Their goal is to have a win-win for the customer.”
Simplicita has tested ZBX with small ISPs, including Everwave LLC of Aspen. Simplicita lets companies control the settings for ZBX, including the number of trips a user is allowed in the safe zone before having their service interrupted. Frank Bergen, co-founder and chief executive, said the company is in talks with large service providers such as Qwest and Comcast to sell licenses of ZBX.
