Symantec unveils authentication and web security platforms

Symantec has unveiled a pair of platforms that will target the authentication and web security markets.

The company said its Intelligent Authentication platform would allow enterprises to ensure secure access to web-based applications and services, while a pair of new DeepSight reputation feeds would improve the platform's ability to spot malicious activity online.

Based on its VIP platform, the Intelligent Authentication platform is designed to allow companies to improve security for customer and employee log-in systems. The service will combine multi-factor authentication tools with IP filtering services to identify suspicious log-in attempts and connections to known attack sources.

"As more organisations switch to online and mobile channels to deliver services to their end users, the need for simple, yet strong authentication solutions will continue to grow as a password-only approach is simply not secure," said Symantec vice president of trust services and identity protection Fran Rosch.

"The new VIP Intelligent Authentication gives organisations one of the most advanced authentication solutions in the market that is delivered as a cost-effective cloud-based service and provides end users with a seamless authentication experience."

Symantec is also looking to extend its protections against web-based attacks by adding a pair of feeds to its DeepSight web security platform.

Symantec said the DeepSight IP and URL Reputation Feed services will allow the DeepSight platform to better protect against web-based attacks. The feeds will provide information about the most dangerous URLs and IP addresses over the last 24 hours, automatically blocking users from accessing known attack sites.

Along with the product releases, Symantec is about to publish new research into malware attacks on mobile platforms. The company is set to release a series of profiles on the most common schemes for attacking Android handsets.

The research covers well-known attack vectors, such as premium number dialers, along with malware that aims to harvest credentials such as mobile transaction authentication numbers.

"Mobile technology is advancing at a rapid pace and cybercriminals are keeping close tabs on these developments," said Symantec security technology and response technical director Eric Chien.

"The marked increase in mobile malware, particularly that targeting the Android platform, is likely only the beginning in terms of both the quantity of threats and their sophistication."