We are happy to announce that Panda Cloud Antivirus Free has been awarded VB100 certification after being tested alongside 40 other antivirus solutions (29 awarded) in Virus Bulletin’s December comparative review on Windows XP SP3.

This certification completes VB100 award hat trick this year: on Windows 7 (August), Windows 8 (December) and Windows XP (April). These awards demonstrate Panda Cloud Antivirus reliability in all Windows platforms.

Additionally, as in previous tests, performance benchmarking showed that Panda Cloud Antivirus Free was one of the least resource-intensive antivirus products available in CPU and memory consumption.

We will do our best to continue improving our protection level and lightness in every release… Stay tuned for Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.2!! 

We are extremely happy to announce that Panda Cloud Antivirus is now available from Windows Store, Microsoft’s store accessible through Windows 8! This allows all Windows 8 users to benefit from the new version 2.1.1 of the free solution.

Panda Cloud Antivirus, which boasts the Windows 8 Compatible logo, is one of the best-rated free alternatives for the Microsoft operating system, according to AV-Test.org.

Results from the latest comparative reviews by this prestigious laboratory rate Panda Cloud Antivirus Free Edition above other security products, including Windows Defender (Microsoft Security Essentials in previous versions of the OS), Microsoft’s free antivirus in Windows 8, both in terms of protection and performance.

Panda Cloud Antivirus scored 6 out of 6 in usability and returned great results in protection (4.5/6) and performance (4/6). Full review here:

www.av-test.org/en/tests/home-user/windows-8/janfeb-2013/

We want to celebrate that Panda Cloud Antivirus is now in Windows Store with a really big discount:

Panda Cloud Antiivirus PRO Edition is available with a 50 percent discount for all Panda Cloud Antivirus users. (Only until May 15!)

Enjoy it! Thanks a lot, Panda Community!!

We are happy to announce the availability of Panda Cloud Antivirus version 2.1.1!

If you are reading this post after seeing a “Panda Cloud Antivirus has upgraded automatically!” message on your Desktop traybar, then you already have the latest version installed and running, and you don’t have to do anything else. If your version of Panda Cloud Antivirus hasn’t upgraded yet to version 2.1.1, don’t worry. As we are releasing the automatic, transparent upgrade little by little, your copy of Panda Cloud Antivirus will upgrade itself automatically in a few days.

Quality of this new version comes guaranteed by the “Windows 8 Compatible” logo. After passing the requirements for Windows 8 operating system compatibility, Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.1.1 earned the compatibility certification and the right to display this logo which recognizes the effort done by the team to offer our Community a certified security solution with the best protection and minimal resource consumption in all compatible platforms.

Version 2.1.1 is a maintenance upgrade from version 2.1. It includes improvements to the Panda Cloud Antivirus heuristic technologies and to new anti-exploit protection, and fixes some bugs reported by the user community. The bug fixes are the following:

• Fixed problem with “blocking of files until results are returned from the cloud – time settings”.
• Fixed problem under certain situations when GUI console was not opened.
• Fixed some linguistic errors.
• Fixed problem with promotional banner under certain situations after upgrading to Panda Cloud Antivirus PRO Edition.
• Fixed information shown (remote IP address) in firewall popups.

Remember that if you have any problems with Panda Cloud Antivirus, you can always ask for help at our Technical Support Forum.

These days, the most talked-about story in the security world is the discovery of a new Java vulnerability that could allow attackers to spread malware.

A little bit of background

On January 10, a researcher going by the name of @kafeine posted an article on his Twitter account explaining that several exploit kits such as BlackHole, Cool EK, Nuclear Pack and RedKit were taking advantage of a new vulnerability discovered in the latest Java version (Java 7 Update 10) to install the infamous “Police Virus” and other malware without users having to open any files. Simply visiting certain websites was enough to trigger the infection. The hackers called this new exploit a “New Year’s gift”.

The news spread like wildfire and was covered by a large number of publications, including PCMag and KrebsonSecurity, which advised users to disable Java to prevent exploitation. One day later, a Metasploit module was developed to target this flaw. Then, it was only a matter of time until the new exploit was incorporated into other popular exploit packs. This was further confirmed by our Collective Intelligence technologies, which detected a spike in attacks that took advantage of Java vulnerabilities.

The most important thing:   Does Panda Cloud Antivirus protect you against the latest Java vulnerability? (CVE-2013-0422)

Yes, it does. Not only are users of Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.1 protected against this vulnerability now, but they have been protected even before the flaw was discovered last week.

Let’s take a closer look.

Some technical information about the exploit: How does it exactly work? — Warning – What follows may be extremely boring for non-geeks —

[Geek mode: ON]

This vulnerability has been extensively documented. In short, the exploit takes advantage of two security flaws: The first flaw stems from the fact that it is possible to obtain references to restricted classes.

The second one allows it to invoke class constructors by using the reflection API included in Java 1.7.

Without going into any more details, the most important thing is to note that the flaw stems from the Java Virtual Machine Security Manager.

On January 14, Oracle released a patch for this vulnerability in version 1.7.0_11. Surprisingly however, it also decided to increase the default security level for Java applets and Web start applications from Medium to High. With this setting, the user is always warned before any unsigned application is run to prevent silent exploitation. In other words, the ‘Java patient’ left the operating room with a big, ugly scar on his forehead for everyone to see…

Given the importance of the measure, it is surprising that the decision was made so quickly (in theory, between January 10 and 14, the dates when the vulnerability was first discovered and fixed respectively). It can then be concluded that what actually triggered the decision was something else besides the vulnerability.

It is yet to be seen how this change to the default Java settings will affect future attacks, although it seems that the use of Java vulnerabilities in exploit kits will decrease. Only time will tell. By the moment, less than 24 hours after Oracle released new version, there were already people selling an exploit for a different and apparently still-unpatched zero-day vulnerability in Java.

[Geek mode: OFF]

How come I was already protected by Panda Cloud Antivirus even before the vulnerability was first discovered?

The key to detect as-yet-unknown exploits is to use heuristic technologies with powerful detection capabilities and a near-zero false positive ratio. For this purpose, the new anti-exploit protection included in Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.1 analyzes how exploits behave instead of their morphology.

Panda Cloud Antivirus uses multiple sensors to send Collective Intelligence information about the behavior of suspicious files that try to exploit 0-day vulnerabilities to infect PCs in the Panda Community. This information allows us to constantly update the proactive technologies included in our product (via hot updates from the Cloud) to adapt to the ever-changing threat landscape.

Panda Cloud Antivirus detects and neutralizes this type of malware before it has been identified (and even created), protecting users against new malware variants.

We are happy to announce that Panda Cloud Antivirus Free has been awarded VB100 certification after being tested alongside 33 other antivirus solutions (22 awarded) in Virus Bulletin’s December comparative review on Windows 8. We are delighted to have obtained the VB100 certification twice in a year! This certification recognizes our efforts and success in offering lightweight solutions with the best disinfection rates for the new Windows 8 operating system as well.

Testing was made up of three main parts: on-demand tests, on-access tests, and false positive tests. Panda Cloud Antivirus Free obtained a 100% perfect result in the on-demand and on-access tests, as well as zero false positives.

The tests showed that Panda Cloud Antivirus Free was one of the fastest and least resource-intensive antivirus products available, clearly outperforming other free solutions from Avast, AVG or Microsoft in CPU and memory consumption. Virus Bulletin also praised the product’s interface and ease of use, as well as the benefits provided by a 100% cloud-based solution.

This award follows the VB100 certification received by Panda Cloud Antivirus Pro in September 2012, and the certifications awarded to Panda Cloud Antivirus Free by the independent labs AV-Test.org and AV-Comparatives in 2012.

We will do our best to continue improving our protection level and lightness in every release as we have done in version 2.1 with anti-exploit protection. Protection, Lightness and the Community (= you) are the key of Panda Cloud Antivirus success.

Thanks a lot for your confidence!

We want to announce availability of the new Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.1, the first free cloud antivirus!

We are really excited with this version because it integrates a very important new feature in both FREE and PRO Editions: we have reinforced our behavioural protection with an anti-exploit technology, which detects and neutralizes malware that exploits zero-day vulnerabilities (Java, Adobe, MS Office..) like Blackhole or Redkit before it infects the PC.

With the continued growth of malware threats and variants, traditional signature-based protection is not enough. Thanks to the Collective Intelligence, we can analyze in our Labs the common behaviour of this kind of malware and adapt our technologies to detect new variants before they are known.

Additionally, we have included in this version real-time protection for Windows 8 Store apps, UI improvements and bug fixes. And, as we continuously do in every version, we have added performance improvements to maintain Panda Cloud Antivirus lightness and minor improvements suggested by all of you and by our strong Community at the Panda Cloud Antivirus Support Forum.

We are so excited with this new Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.1 that we are giving Panda Cloud Antivirus PRO Edition for half price during Christmas until January, 1!!

How to install Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.1

If you already have an existing version of Panda Cloud Antivirus you don’t need to do anything. The new Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.1 will automatically upgrade your existing version.

All existing Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.0 both in Free and Pro Editions will upgrade automatically and transparently to the new Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.1. This might take a few days as we are deploying the upgrade progressively.

If you don’t want to wait for the automatic and transparent upgrade you can head over to www.cloudantivirus.com right now and download the new 2.1 version and install it on top of your existing Panda Cloud Antivirus.

If you are reading this because you saw a “Panda Cloud Antivirus has automatically upgraded” message from your traybar, then you already have the latest 2.1 version.

Again our most sincere thanks to all the users worldwide who have helped us develop this great cloud antivirus. As always you can find us at the Support Forum in case you have any questions, problems or simply want to talk to us.

VB100 certification is granted to products that prove a 100% detection rate for malware samples listed as “In the Wild” by the WildList Organization. To display a VB100 logo, a product must generate no false positives when scanning an extensive set of goodware samples. The comparative review was conducted on a system running Windows 7 Professional. Testing was made up of three main parts: on-demand tests, on-access tests, and false positive tests. Panda Cloud Antivirus Pro obtained a 100% perfect result in the on-demand and on-access tests, as well as zero false positives.

Additionally, Panda Cloud Antivirus Pro recorded an installation time of 30 seconds, the fastest of all tested products. Virus Bulletin also praised the product’s interface and ease of use.

More information at http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/archive/test?recent=1

AV-Comparatives.org just released the results of their “Retrospective Test” which basically freezes AV products without allowing them to update their signatures nor connect to cloud-based scanning services, and tests them against new viruses.

While the concept of testing against Internet-enabled viruses without Internet connectivity is somewhat unrealistic, we are happy to announce that even without Internet connectivity Panda Cloud Antivirus achieved the highest rating “Advanced+” given by AV-Comparatives.org. Even without Internet connectivity Panda Cloud Antivirus provided better offline detection than non-cloud free products from Avira, AVG and Microsoft.

Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.0 is finally here!!!

After a really long beta with over 165.000 active beta testers from over 176 countries we are happy to announce that Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.0, the first free cloud antivirus, is finally available for download.

The main new features which Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.0 incorporates over the existing 1.5.2 version are the following:

• Community-based firewall (pro edition only).
• New cloud-based disinfection engine.
• New behavioral analysis engine in the free edition.
• Improved offline protection.
• Process monitor allows seeing Internet connections on a per process basis.
• Improved performance and 50% faster scans.
• New advanced configuration options such as asking for confirmation before neutralizing.
• Compatibility with Windows 8.
• New interface.
• Ability to manage different licenses.

Finally Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.0 incorporates dozens of bug fixes and minor improvements suggested by all of you and by our strong community of testers and bug reporters at the Panda Cloud Antivirus Support Forum.

How to get a free Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.0 PRO Edition license key

We are so excited with this new Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.0 that we are giving away free licenses!!!

First off if you have the beta 1.9.2 installed you will be automatically upgraded to Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.0 Free Edition. As our thanks to you for helping us during the beta testing period we will be sending out PRO license keys to active beta-testers.

If you don’t have the beta installed that’s OK too. We have partnered with the great guys and gals over at www.download.com and they are giving away 5.000 Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.0 PRO Edition license keys. Hurry up and get yours before they run out of them!

How to install Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.0

If you already have an existing version of Panda Cloud Antivirus you don’t need to do anything. The new Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.0 will automatically upgrade your existing version.

All existing Panda Cloud Antivirus 1.5.2 and beta versions (1.9.2) both in Free and Pro Editions will upgrade automatically and transparently to the new Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.0. This might take a few days as we are deploying the upgrade progressively.

If you don’t want to wait for the automatic and transparent upgrade you can head over to www.cloudantivirus.com right now and download the new 2.0 version and install it on top of your existing Panda Cloud Antivirus.

If you are reading this because you saw a “Panda Cloud Antivirus has automatically upgraded” message from your traybar, then you already have the latest 2.0 version.

Again our most sincere thanks to all the users worldwide who have helped us develop this great cloud antivirus. As always you can find us at the Support Forum in case you have any questions, problems or simply want to talk to us.

With over 140.000 active beta testers of version 1.9.1 (!!!) and after a long wait Panda Cloud Antivirus Beta 1.9.2 is finally here. This new beta release incorporates not only a lot of bug fixes as reported by the large beta community but also new features such as a new firewall platform and intrusion detection system. This new beta version includes better malware disinfection capabilities and even lower impact on system performance. Last but not least Panda Cloud Antivirus Beta 1.9.2 is compatible with the recently released Windows 8 Release Preview.

If you have the previous Panda Cloud Antivirus Beta 1.9.1 installed this new beta version 1.9.2 will be upgraded automatically for you. We will release the automatic upgrade in a controlled manner over the period of approximately one week. So there is nothing for you to do, simply sit back and let Panda Cloud Antivirus Beta upgrade itself. If you have a Home or Started Edition Operating System you might see a prompt to reboot. Other than that the upgrade is completely transparent.

Some of the most notable changes implemented for 1.9.2 are the following:

• New firewall platform for Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8.
• Intrusion Detection System protection against network attacks.
• Ability to adapt firewall behaviour by zones.
• Registration of the firewall component in the Windows Security Center.
• Deactivation/activation of the built-in Windows Firewall when the Panda Cloud Antivirus firewall is activated/deactivated.
• New technologies for improved malware disinfection.
• Improved detection of in-memory malware.
• Improved disinfection of packed/compressed malware.
• Improved quarantine management.
• Process monitor without the URL monitoring.
• Activity monitor in the main interface window.
• Last detection show in the main interface window.
• Added advanced configuration to enable/disable detection of potentially unwanted programs.
• Added advanced configuration to enable/disable background scan after cache synchronization.
• Added advanced configuration to enable/disable on-demand scan within compressed archives.
• Added advanced configuration to exclude elements by extension.
• Improved scanning architecture and integration with Quarantine and memory scanning module.
• Integrated new toolbar with Google search instead of Yahoo.
• Button to hide the promotional banners shown in the main interface.
• Improved integration with the Windows Security Center for the antivirus component.
• Improved integration with Collective Intelligence of unknown and new malware samples.
• Performance improvement to lower system impact when treating files within Explorer and Recycle Bin.

If you don’t want to wait for the automatic upgrade you can manually install Panda Cloud Antivirus 1.9.2 by downloading it directly from http://acs.pandasoftware.com/cloudantivirus/beta19/PandaCloudAntivirus.exe. As always you can provide feedback, send us suggestions and discuss with our QA Department about this beta version in our Beta Support Forum.

It is impressive that over 140.000 beta testers have helped us improve the product so much over the last year. Again our most sincere “THANK YOU” to all our beta users and hope you enjoy this new 1.9.2. We promise this new beta won’t be as long as the 1.9.1 beta and very soon we will all be able to enjoy the final Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.0 release