Google Buys Antivirus, Anti-Spam Company

Google is adding an antivirus and anti-spam solution to its arsenal with the acquisition of GreenBorder Technologies Inc.

Google did not return press inquiries by deadline but GreenBorder, a Mountain View, Calif.-based security company, posted a statement on its Web site, telling users that it has been bought by Google. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"We will continue to support our existing customers through the end of their current subscriptions," the statement added.

GreenBorder, which was founded in 2001, offers consumer and enterprise-level security products, protecting against viruses, spyware, and Trojans. The company's products, though, stand apart from many of its competitors because it does not fend off malware by guarding against new virus signatures or types. Rather, it basically quarantines Internet sessions -- e-mail and Web browsing -- and when the user is done, the software essentially discards everything. The Internet sessions is secluded from previous sessions, as well as from the rest of the system.

A green border is wrapped around the page to let users know that it's working.

There had been some talk online in the past few years of how well the technology would work as part of an Amazon, Yahoo, or Google toolbar.

However, there has been some concern from GreenBorder users in recent weeks.

One user logged onto the GreenBorder user forum on May 16, questioning why products have been unavailable. "I dropped by GreenBorder's site today (I wanted to see if a new version was on offer), and saw the concerning message that products are no longer available for sale or download," he wrote. "No mention of this in our users forum. What's happening??"

GreenBorder provided little information about its sale to Google beyond a few prepared statements. "GreenBorder has stopped offering its products for sale. We're not going out of business, and we'll continue to support our existing customers," the company said.