Edge promises to zap vicious malware

A NEW tool from Prevx is designed to combat a virtual explosion in malware which is attacking the unwary. Prevx Edge claims to protect against 22 distinct attack vectors that can disable existing AV software.

Following a recent story about a spoof AVG site, the INQ has been inundated with other tales of woe. The chief problem is removing these malware apps once they've been identified.

In many cases the only help available on the web involves lengthy manual removal processes – which aren't advisable for inexperienced users.

Here's an example of a good removal tool. From Remove Online, it's designed to get rid of the very nasty Internet Antivirus Pro malware app. Get it here.

Such tools are few and far between. General utilities to try out include Highjack This from Trend Micro. You still need to know what you're looking for, though.

By contrast, Prevx reckons it can find and remove most malware because it's not using a signature database but online real-time checking.

The INQ asked Prevx's Jacques Erasmus how it can work when the malware is hijacking attempts at its removal. He explained that Active X components – used by the likes of Panda Software – can easily be thwarted because they work at a high level.

Erasmus says Edge has its own low level drivers which it enable it to establish a live session. Another benefit is that Edge doesn't clash with existing AV products like AVG, for example.

One loophole Edge doesn't automatically close is where surfers have been fooled into downloading software when looking at porn sites. Such scams are operated by companies such as MBS and Platte International.

If Edge detects the existence of such apps, then it flags them as 'precautionary removals'. This won't get you out of the legal mire, though.

A very handy feature is that users can instruct Edge to remove a particular executable which they know is malware but doesn't get recognised as such.

Erasmus assured the INQ that Edge will do a much better job than manual removal using Windows own tools.

Edge isn't freeware - it costs £19.95 and can be downloaded from here. µ