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When automatic updates do not always succeed in blocking malware, a decentralized network can do the trick. This is the fundamental disturbance that LevelNet wants to introduce into the security community and the Internet in general.
Every year, hundreds of millions of new unique malware are discovered. According to the Symantec Internet Security Threat Report for 2015, 430 million new malware was detected. And while this figure dropped to 401 million in 2016, the growing threat is not limited to numbers, but rather to execution. According to the report, attacks usually evolve, in order to exploit new or pre-existing vulnerabilities.
Some attacks are purely based on social engineering, but the majority of malware attacks can be detected through heuristics – or detection by behavior – meaning that the Anti-malware software will play an important role in detecting, and dealing with possible viruses or other security attacks.
However, there is a big challenge to ensuring the protection of Internet users, in terms of using virus definitions and updates. On the one hand, different anti-malware applications use different methods to detect an attack – some use databases, while others use heuristics. In addition, with so-called "zero-day" attacks (those that have not yet been identified), all antivirus applications can not yet have the definitions. And in reality, malware writers take care to hide the activity of their creations, making detection and capture all the more difficult.
Perhaps the biggest challenge is that of users. Not everyone uses automatic updates on their operating system, applications and anti-malware software. This means that some users may miss important updates that might otherwise contribute to the security of their systems.
Differences in heuristic ability, plus noncompliance in terms of updating, are a deadly combination. Even excessive reliance on security updates can lead to a false sense of security.
A Decentralized Approach
GData estimates that this year, a new specimen of malware will appear every 4.2 seconds, up from 4.6 seconds of last year. Unless you know what each type of malware does, a device user will need an effective defense against such emerging threats. The problem is that security patches and updates only come up very often, and even critical updates are only evicted once a developer has found a fix.
Here's where a decentralized approach to security can make things better. Starting Security LevelNet aims to leverage its distributed network to ensure that all of its users benefit from anti-malware applications and security updates they have or have. no such updates.
"On average, a viral attack by hackers lasts no more than 30 minutes, and antiviruses do not have time to update their own mechanisms to protect users," says Daniel Fadeev, data analyst at LevelNet. "Those who manage to make an update protect their users, and who do not have the time to do so, leave their users unprotected."
To deal with this situation, LevelNet will ensure that all members of its network are protected, as part of a single approach, by essentially sharing data and information about the network. all of its network. updated signatures, which are essentially synchronized on the network.
No need for deployment of local antivirus
The innovative nature of LevelNet means that users do not even need to have locally installed anti-malware applications because the platform itself acts as a solution to the problem. detection and mitigation of intrusions. "The Endpoint Point security application works as a standalone solution and with any antivirus product installed without having to remove it," says Fadeev. "Our application extracts a response to the verified object from the installed antivirus and transfers it to all users of our network, in order to prevent a virus attack."
Yet having the LevelNet solution does not rule out having an existing antivirus application in the first place; Fadeev says this will further complement the solution, and that it will not give rise to a conflict.
A hybrid approach
Perhaps unique with LevelNet is its hybrid security approach based on the blockchain. LevelNet's technology does not work on blockchain, per se. Instead, the company uses the chain of blocks to mark its service, which uses its own proprietary distributed network. "We use a peer-to-peer network for rapid distribution of information on emerging threats, plus a cloud model for identifying and verifying threats," Fadeev says.
He adds that the use of blockchain technology on the end user application "does not make sense for reasons of security and usability". However, the use of tokens can be an innovative approach to the exchange of value. .
To this end, the company launches its tokensale later this year, seeking to raise $ 55 million to finance its development and deployment. LVL tokens will be the "currencies" used to access the LevelNet network.
Take-Aways: The Hybrid Approach Has Its Advantages
LevelNet's P2P and cloud security approach is innovative in that it provides users with a better security guarantee without being tied to separate security software vendors. The hybrid approach also provides insights and lessons on how existing businesses can effectively leverage blockchain technology in their solutions and services without full blockchain deployment. This could be done by making their digital services symbolic, or even raising capital with the help of a tokensale.