* GreenBorder creates a protective bubble around your PC whenever you go on the Web
The hot buzzword of the IT industry right now is “virtual.” Virtual storage. Virtual servers. Virtual private networks. In this case, the definition of “virtual” is something like “existing in essence, but not formally recognized as being there.”
GreenBorder Technologies is capitalizing on the virtual trend to make your Web-based activities a lot safer. By invoking a virtual environment whenever your PC accesses the Internet, you are protected from all sorts of malicious internet borne programs, including malware, viruses, keystroke loggers and more.
The typical approach to protecting a PC – whether in an office or in a home – is to load it up with tools that detect known problems or conditions. For example, you use antivirus software to try to catch rogue code that is destined to harm the PC in some way. Then when you enter the danger zone known as the Internet, you hold your breath, hoping that the security measure doesn’t let you down by letting a virus in.
The GreenBorder approach is to create a big protective bubble around the PC whenever you go on the Web. GreenBorder software uses session virtualization techniques to create shadow copies of everything that you do on the Web, effectively isolating those activities from the real PC and its data, as well as any host network it is connected to. Even zero day exploits can’t harm the PC because they are isolated from reality.
GreenBorder needs about 20MB of your computer’s memory for the virtual environment. It is in this space that all Web-based activities take place. When you activate your Internet Explorer browser while GreenBorder is running, the computer opens all applications, files, e-mails, attachments, etc. within the virtual environment. If you happen to encounter a virus or other such problem, it can’t penetrate the border to go from the virtual environment to the real PC.
The effect is such that any changes made within the virtual area by rootkits, spyware and malware are erased as soon as you exit your browser session. Also, any attempt by a rogue application to scan your system for personal and business data will fail because you have effectively hidden and isolated your system and data files. What you’ve done is set up a “privacy zone,” where there is no trace of the activity in this zone once you close the browser session. And perhaps best of all, this is all transparent to you.
The virtual session is safe and effective for your online activities, but do note that the GreenBorder product does not scan, cleanse or protect systems for malicious code such as viruses, spy and malware threats that infect systems/networks through removable drives and other file sharing. Therefore, the product should be used in concert with your regular desktop firewall, spyware and antivirus tools, thus providing a holistic approach to protection.
For the enterprise, GreenBorder provides central administration via a Web server that controls setup, prevents internal users from leaking confidential data, and provides compliance/audit monitoring and reporting. Administrators can control how the virtual environment functions on thousands of PCs by deploying policies via Active Directory, e-mail or any tool that deploys MSI files. The policies define the handling of exceptions and per-group needs, and can be designed to control actions users may take with Internet content. Because there are no signature files or other updates to make, GreenBorder is never out of date.
The reporting functionality supports compliance and auditing needs by:
* Monitoring all PC internet activity
* Providing alerts and charts
* Recording security events
* Monitoring application usage
* Inventorying systems
Logged events can be collected and forwarded to other services such as syslog servers.
GreenBorder has had an enterprise version available for some time, and the company just recently released the consumer version. You can request a 30-day evaluation to see if the product helps your security profile. And check out Keith Shaw’s mention in his Cool Tools column.
Think of GreenBorder as Teflon for your desktop; you can cook whatever you need to, but the nasty stuff just won’t stick.
