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Twitter acquires web security firm Dasient
Reported by Dean Wilson on Wednesday, January 25 2012 12:15 am
Twitter has acquired web security firm Dasient, which could result in a more secure micro-blogging service with fewer malware messages.
Twitter has acquired web security firm Dasient, which could result in a more secure micro-blogging service with fewer malware messages.
Dasient said that it will be able to apply its technology and team to Twitter, including its URL scanning software, which detects and blocks malware. This will be particularly useful for all those shortened links on Twitter, which can often hide the nature of the website behind.
Another particularly interesting about this merger is Dasient's “anti-malvertising” service, which protects ad networks and publishers from malicious ads. While Twitter has barely tapped its advertising potential, compared to Facebook, it still suffers from fake ads that present a security threat to users. Adding a protective layer around these ads could be just what it needs, and other social networks might follow suit.
The deal means that the Dasient brand will be winding down and won't be accepting new customers. It's not clear if Twitter will charge users for this extra protection or just tack it on for free and rely on advertising revenue, the latter of which seems more likely.
The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
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