Anti-Virus Competition...

A South-Korean firm (obviously south, right?) was reported in this article to be releasing a 'superior' anti-virus solution commercially to the US.   The software is called the AhnLab v3 Secure Cloud.  It could be a break-through in anti-virus as we know it, but at the same time it could be yet another flop.  A flop, in my opinion, such as Symantec's Norton Anti-virus has made on it's belly years ago.

The main allure to this software is that it will also protect mobile (Android) devices, and cloud-based storage.  Another interesting thing is that it will feature an anti-theft implementation.   I don't mean that the phone will set its lasers to stun, but you will be able to remotely wipe all data on the phone remotely through an SMS-text message and rest easily that none of your data was compromised by having the phone stolen or lost.  Having a back-up of data, protecting 5 PCs and 5 mobile android devices, sounds very appealing.  The price of a license is reported at $69.99/year



In my opinion, the fact that anti-virus, anti-malware, and firewall software are developed to be profitable for the creators, makes for at best the weakest security possible without being 'too weak'.   I think that it should be all open-source and everyone should participate in making it a better product.  What is the incentive of having a solid product that blocks and prevents all malicious intents? There is none.   Much like designing a car that lasts forever, or batteries that never die, there is no incentive.   These business models thrive on weakness and poor quality, for there would be absolutely no return or repeat business if someone came out with the "best" solutions.'

Ironically, there are some anti-virus and virus removal tools that charge you to use their product, and then let certain things 'slip through the filter' to make you feel like you need to purchase the pro version, or renew your license.   This in my opinion will forever be the case until someone comes up with a free, open source product that trumps all commercial 'paid' competitors.Conspiracy aside, I feel like this could be what the anti-malicious industry needed.  Competition.  I hope to see and hear that AhnLab becomes a big name in anti-virus.  I hope to discover that other companies are now busting a nervous sweat over the fact that there is now a competitor who has a superior product, and now they actually have to work for their money.

It is claimed in the article that the software currently has 20million satisfied customers, and 20 years of experience in the industry.   Yet more good news!  I can't wait to hear more reviews of the product. Also, I cant wait to hear that some exploits come to light that target the software, or make it through the filters, just so I can observe if and how fast the company reacts to the compromises.