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Internet security specialists, Symantec, yesterday received rights to a patent for a protective system that enables the detection of complex viruses, worms, and spyware.

The upcoming technology is powered by the "data driven detection of viruses," and will be integrated into Symantec's existing security packages. According to Symantec,

The invention represents a fundamental component of modern threat detection software, and is applicable to all operating systems and classes of malicious code. By establishing a mechanism that enables researchers to write simple detection scripts to allow for complex scanning and emulation of executable files, complex threats such as self-mutating viruses, worms, and spyware can be detected. Furthermore, researchers are able to aim an antivirus scanner at specific regions of each file for inspection, rather that having to scan larger regions of files and slowing down the operation of a computer.

The technology was developed and patented by Carey Nachenberg, chief architect with Symantec Research Labs. This marks the sixteenth information security-related patent awarded to Nachenberg in the last eight years.

"Over the years, viruses, worms and spyware have evolved considerably, making detection by traditional antivirus software increasingly difficult and time-consuming," said Nachenberg. "This invention fundamentally reduces the complexity of detecting malicious software and shortens the response time needed to address new threats without the need for new product updates or patches."

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