Nominum and F-Secure: A partnership to win the battle for clean networks

Redwood City, USA and Helsinki, Finland, November 12^th, 2013  ̶  Nominum^TM, the provider of integrated subscriber, network and security solutions for Service Providers, and F-Secure, the leading provider of consumer security solutions, have today announced a strategic partnership to deliver a comprehensive solution to protect subscribers from botnet threats. Botnet infections vary regionally and can be as high as 25% of the subscriber base.   This growing threat typically executes malicious behaviour either by exploiting the target directly, interfering with internet business models or amassing zombie-devices to make attacks against unsuspecting organisations.

The comprehensive security solution protects the subscriber, and the network, on a number of different levels. A botnet infection is detected at the network level without compromising subscriber privacy. The infected subscriber then receives a notification and instructions for remediation and is protected from further infections by the system. The integrated solution allows unparalleled visibility to identify the infected device from a typical household network, behind a NAT-based router (Network Address Translation).

Nominum’s Subscriber Safety solution offers comprehensive malware protection to service providers’ subscribers, including detection of botnet infections. It leverages Nominum’s Global Intelligence Xchange which provides a database of threats that is continuously updated, enabling service providers to identify emerging threats and stay one step ahead of cyber criminals. Notifications are delivered using Nominum’s world-class in-browser messaging capability, which is compatible with any device supporting a browser, including PCs, smartphones and tablets.

The remediation is performed using F-Secure’s Antibot client product which is able to identify a wide range of botnet families including rootkit infections. During the process the client sends anonymous telemetry data back to the service provider and connects to common customer care systems, allowing performance review of a full closed-loop service.

Head of F-Secure Labs, Mika Stahlberg, says: “Malware is increasingly prevalent, sophisticated, and difficult to remove. Internet users need their service providers’ help in dealing with the threats. Service providers are shifting from cost-based thinking in anti-abuse to a differentiating value-add approach. Instead of considering each infected subscriber as a potential cost in customer support, with automation and the right messaging, these can be turned into strategic customer engagements.”

Nominum Vice President Business Development, Brian McElroy, says: “Consumers and professionals alike want to be able to access the internet safe in the knowledge their experience won’t be disrupted by malware. Our Subscriber Safety application leverages our heritage in DNS, enabling our customers to identify and pinpoint malicious activity on a network, providing greater protection to their subscribers. The in-browser messaging capability we deliver provides a timely and non-intrusive means of alerting subscribers to potential dangers. With F-Secure we are now able to deliver linked remediation and offer our customers a more comprehensive solution that will create a safer internet experience for subscribers.”

F-Secure VP of Consumer Security, Maria Nordgren, says: “It is in the common interest of all parties that service providers are able to keep their subscribers safe from threats. Safe in the knowledge that their online activities are being protected, subscribers will access the internet more frequently and be less inclined to switch provider. The criminals of cyberspace hide in the shadows stealing personal details and abusing devices at their will. The opportunities for criminal gangs will be dramatically reduced as more and more carriers implement advanced anti-abuse solutions.”