Google Builds Giant 'Sandbox' With GreenBorder Acquisition

Google quietly acquired enterprise security vendor GreenBorder Technologies this week in a move that ramps up the search giant's focus on security issues.

The deal is in line with Google's strategy of picking up small vendors with unique technologies (including JotSpot, Writely and Dodgeball), seemingly as much to have something to play with in Google Labs as rushing new capabilities to market.

GreenBorder is interesting because it takes a different approach to protecting computers from viruses, spyware and Trojan threats. Rather than relying on virus signatures--which require constant updating--GreenBorder creates a virtual Internet session that keeps users within a secure "sandbox." All remnants of the session, including any malware picked up along the way, are flushed away when the session ends. GreenBorder has apps that work with both Internet Explorer and Firefox browsers.It's not clear how Google would integrate what is essentially client software into its more services-based app approach. Although it's not the first time it's acquired and then offered downloadable software--photo management software Picasa being a good example.

The acquisition of GreenBorder was apparently made in early May but just surfaced this week.