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ESET joins Europol’s Cyber Intelligence Extension Programme (CIEP)

BRATISLAVA — August 4, 2025 — ESET, Europe’s leading global cybersecurity company, is proud to announce its participation in the pilot phase of the Cyber Intelligence Extension Programme (CIEP), a new initiative launched by Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre (EC3).

The program aims to strengthen public-private cooperation in the fight against cybercrime by enabling real-time collaboration and intelligence sharing. As part of this initiative, ESET Chief Research Officer Roman Kováč, and Senior Malware Researcher Jakub Souček, recently spent several days at Europol headquarters in The Hague meeting EC3 teams and exploring ways in which ESET’s threat intelligence can directly support investigations into ransomware operations, payment fraud schemes, or complex cybercrime infrastructure.

Europol functions as a people hub, a data hub, and a case hub, a place where collaboration, intelligence, and operations converge. ESET’s team met with law enforcement officers from multiple countries, experiencing firsthand how one central platform fosters effective cross-border cooperation.

“We believe the CIEP sets a new benchmark for actionable intelligence sharing, joint operational readiness, and collective impact,” says Roman Kováč, Chief Research Officer at ESET.

ESET has a long history of collaboration with global law enforcement agencies, including in EC3’s Advisory Group, where we are represented by ESET Senior Research Fellow Righard Zwienenberg. ESET has also contributed to successful law enforcement operations, including the takedowns of prominent threats such as Gamarue, RedLine, Grandoreiro, Lumma Stealer, and most recently, Danabot.

The new CIEP initiative elevates this collaboration further, creating opportunities for direct, real-time engagement with Europol’s operational teams. Public-private partnerships like this one are crucial in mitigating risks within today’s rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape.

ESET extends sincere gratitude to Marijn Schuurbiers, Head of Operations, Gonçalo Ribeiro, Head of Cyber Intelligence and architect of the CIEP program, and to all dedicated professionals at EC3 for their continued efforts in enhancing the fight against cybercrime across Europe and beyond.

Cyber threats evolve rapidly, but through partnerships such as this, so does our collective defense. Together we can make Europe a safer place.

 

About ESET
For 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. With solutions ranging from endpoint security to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET’s high-performing, easy-to-use products give individuals and businesses the peace of mind to enjoy the full potential of their technology. ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company. Backed by R&D facilities worldwide, ESET became the first IT security company to earn 100 Virus Bulletin VB100 awards, identifying every single “in-the-wild” malware without interruption since 2003.

About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

ESET has strengthened its position in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Endpoint Protection Platforms

BRATISLAVA — July 21, 2025 — ESET, a global leader in cybersecurity, proudly announces that it is one of only two vendors, out of fifteen evaluated, to improve its relative position in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Endpoint Protection Platforms1 (EPP). This year, ESET has advanced its position, reflecting a stronger Ability to Execute and enhanced Completeness of Vision.

To ESET, this progress highlights its ongoing commitment to innovation, customer-centric development, and strategic focus on delivering high-performance endpoint protection platform solutions for organizations worldwide. As stated in the latest Gartner Magic Quadrant for EPP, where ESET is recognized as a Challenger, “ESET PROTECT is well-suited for small and midsize organizations seeking mature endpoint prevention and protection capabilities.”

“We are proud to see our progress recognized by Gartner,” said Pavol Balaj, Chief Business Officer at ESET. “Our improved position in the Magic Quadrant for Endpoint Protection Platforms reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering powerful, reliable, and accessible cybersecurity solutions. This progress is a testament to our dedication to customer value and cybersecurity excellence. We remain focused on helping organizations of all sizes stay resilient in an increasingly complex threat landscape.”

The Gartner Magic Quadrant for EPP includes the following key strengths of ESET:

  • Customer Experience: ESET is praised for its responsive and helpful technical and account support.
  • Operations: ESET focuses heavily on EPP R&D, with most revenue coming from EPP products.
  • Geographic Strategy: ESET supports multiple European and Asian languages, appealing to a global audience.

Additionally, the Magic Quadrant describes ESET as a “vendor that supports cloud-delivered, hybrid, and on-premises (including air-gapped) management of EPP. In addition to EPP, ESET also offers workspace security controls such as email security.”

As further stated in the report, ESET’s recent innovations include a proprietary ransomware rollback feature, AI PC integration with Intel to reduce endpoint CPU load, and expanded vulnerability assessment and patch management across Windows, macOS, and Linux. These advancements are part of ESET’s broader roadmap to enhance multitenancy, third-party integrations, and expand into adjacent security domains such as identity and workload protection.

Further validating ESET’s technical excellence, the 2025 Gartner® Critical Capabilities for Endpoint Protection Platforms2 report states: “ESET PROTECT delivers reliable core endpoint protection, with high protection efficacy and solid cloud-based management. Its mature hybrid management capabilities enable effective operation in environments with limited or intermittent connectivity, supporting compliance and protection for organizations with strict regulatory or data residency needs.”

ESET PROTECT is a comprehensive cybersecurity platform designed to meet the evolving needs of modern organizations. Built on decades of expertise and continuous innovation, it delivers a Prevention-First approach to security, integrating advanced technologies and security services into a single, scalable solution.

Discover more about the ESET PROTECT Platform.

See what industry analysts, independent tests, and IT pros are saying about ESET and its solutions.

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product, or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

 

 

About ESET
For 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. With solutions ranging from endpoint security to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET’s high-performing, easy-to-use products give individuals and businesses the peace of mind to enjoy the full potential of their technology. ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company. Backed by R&D facilities worldwide, ESET became the first IT security company to earn 100 Virus Bulletin VB100 awards, identifying every single “in-the-wild” malware without interruption since 2003.

About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

ESET PROTECT Shines as a Leader! Proudly securing a second position in G2’s Summer 2025 Grid® Report for Extended Detection and Response (XDR) Platforms

The ESET PROTECT cybersecurity platform has been crowned a Leader in the prestigious G2 Summer 2025 Grid® Report for Extended Detection and Response (XDR) Platforms. This accolade stands as a testament to ESET PROTECT’s outstanding customer satisfaction, earning the highest score in this category, and its strong market presence.

ESET PROTECT outperformed XDR-first vendors like CrowdStrike and SentinelOne. An impressive 97% of users have rated it 4 or 5 stars, with 89% believing it’s on the right track. Furthermore, a remarkable 91% of users are likely to recommend ESET PROTECT to others.

In the Summer 2025 Grid® Report for XDR Platforms ESET PROTECT is rated #1 for Data Security, the highest-rated feature with a 99% rate, Data loss Prevention, Workflow Automation, and Governance. It has been awarded various unique badges in the XDR Platforms category, including “Most Implementable”, “Best Results” for mid-market, “Best Estimated ROI” and “Fastest Implementation” for enterprise, and more.

Users have praised ESET PROTECT for its outstanding ability to meet business requirements and its ease of platform setup and use. Dive into the full report to discover why ESET PROTECT is the go-to choice for businesses worldwide.

Access the report

About ESET
For 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. With solutions ranging from endpoint security to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET’s high-performing, easy-to-use products give individuals and businesses the peace of mind to enjoy the full potential of their technology. ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company. Backed by R&D facilities worldwide, ESET became the first IT security company to earn 100 Virus Bulletin VB100 awards, identifying every single “in-the-wild” malware without interruption since 2003.

About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

ESET Research uncovers variants of AsyncRAT, popular choice of cybercriminals

  • ESET Research has released insights into the landscape of AsyncRAT, a remote access tool (RAT), and its numerous variants.
  • The analysis uncovers their unique interconnections, and documents how these variants can be distinguished.
  • The widespread availability of frameworks such as AsyncRAT significantly lowers the barrier of entry for aspiring cybercriminals.

PRAGUE, BRATISLAVA — July 15, 2025 — ESET Research is releasing its analysis of AsyncRAT — a remote access tool (RAT) designed to remotely monitor and control other devices. Over the years, AsyncRAT has cemented its place as a cornerstone of modern malware and as a pervasive threat that has evolved into a sprawling network of its variants and forks (customized and improved versions of the original tool). The published analysis provides an overview of the most relevant forks of AsyncRAT, drawing connections between them and showing how they have evolved.

AsyncRAT, an open-source RAT, was released on GitHub in 2019 by a user going by the name of NYAN CAT. It offers a wide range of typical RAT functionalities, including keylogging, screen capturing, credential theft, and more. Its simplicity and open-source nature have made it a popular choice among cybercriminals, leading to its widespread use in various cyberattacks.

“AsyncRAT introduced significant improvements, particularly in its modular architecture and enhanced stealth features, making it more adaptable and harder to detect in modern threat environments. Its plug-in-based architecture and ease of modification have sparked the proliferation of many forks, pushing the boundaries even further,” says ESET researcher Nikola Knežević, author of the study.

Ever since it was released to the public, AsyncRAT has spawned a multitude of new forks that have built upon its foundation. Some of these new versions have expanded on the original framework, incorporating additional features and enhancements, while others are essentially the same version in different clothes. The most popular variants for the attackers, according to ESET telemetry, are DcRat, VenomRAT, and SilverRAT.

DcRat offers a notable improvement over AsyncRAT in terms of features and capabilities, while VenomRAT is packed with further additional features. However, not all RATs are serious in nature,  and this applies equally to AsyncRAT forks. Clones like SantaRAT or BoratRAT are meant to be jokes. Despite this, ESET has found instances of real-world malicious usage of these in the wild.

In its analysis, ESET Research has cherry-picked some lesser-known forks, too, as they enhance AsyncRAT’s functionality beyond the features included in the default versions. These exotic forks are often the work of one person or group, and they make up less than 1% of the volume of AsyncRAT samples.

“The widespread availability of frameworks such as AsyncRAT significantly lowers the barrier to entry for aspiring cybercriminals, enabling even novices to deploy sophisticated malware with minimal effort. This development further accelerates the creation and customization of malicious tools. This evolution underscores the importance of proactive detection strategies and deeper behavioral analyses to effectively address emerging threats,” concludes Knežević.

For a more detailed analysis and technical breakdown of various AsyncRAT variants and forks, check out the latest ESET Research blogpost, “Unmasking AsyncRAT: Navigating the labyrinth of forks,” on WeLiveSecurity.com. Make sure to follow ESET Research on Twitter (today known as X), BlueSky, and Mastodon for the latest news from ESET Research.

BoratRAT promotional logo

 

About ESET
For 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. With solutions ranging from endpoint security to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET’s high-performing, easy-to-use products give individuals and businesses the peace of mind to enjoy the full potential of their technology. ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company. Backed by R&D facilities worldwide, ESET became the first IT security company to earn 100 Virus Bulletin VB100 awards, identifying every single “in-the-wild” malware without interruption since 2003.

About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

ESET Annual Report 2024: Profit and revenue growth continues, R&D investment delivers strong returns

  • Global revenue growth of 9 per cent year-on-year to €691 million, with the EMEA region leading with 15 per cent
  • Adjusted EBITDA of €100 million, reflecting 7 per cent year-over-year growth
  • Total B2B revenue growth of 13 per cent, Enterprise of 21 per cent, and Services of 56 per cent

BRATISLAVA — June 30, 2025 — ESET, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, today announced its financial results, with significant growth in key regions and markets, continuing profitability, and ongoing investment in science-led innovation.

“While many speak of long-term vision and longevity, few live it. 2024 saw ESET’s third consecutive decade of growth — a rare milestone in the technology sector, and one that reflects our progressive mindset, customer trust, and product excellence,” said Richard Marko, CEO of ESET. “We saw particularly strong momentum in the EMEA region, where our cybersecurity solutions continue to gain traction. This was further reflected by strong performance within our B2B segment, where overall revenue grew by 13 per cent, Enterprise grew by 21 per cent and ESET Services experienced exceptional growth of 56 per cent. As threats evolve, so does our commitment to meeting our customers’ need for innovation and resilience.”

R&D delivers immediate AI benefits for threat detection and response

In 2024, ESET’s 847-member-strong technologists and Global Research and Development team worked to revamp ESET LiveGuard Advanced (ELGA), our proprietary cloud-based security module that uses behavioral analysis to prevent targeted attacks and new or unknown threats. This essential work also leveraged our latest developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI), advancing both scanning and filtering and further reducing ELGA’s computing requirements in comparative tests.

Further development of ESET AI capabilities in 2024 saw us introduce ESET AI Advisor, which allows  detection and response teams to leverage multi-agentic AI in incident response and risk analysis. This empowers organizations to fully capitalize on extended detection and response (XDR), taking care of threats before they have a chance to become full-scale security incidents. ESET AI Advisor has also been built into ESET Inspect, the company’s XDR-enabling module of the ESET PROTECT Platform, which proved its worth during MITRE’s 2024 Enterprise ATT&CK® Evaluations.

“Our long-term investment in research and development continues to benefit an increasing number of customers and make a profound impact,” said Richard Marko. “Threat actors are making increased use of artificial intelligence and automated tooling; in turn, ESET’s attention to, and investment in, AI have not only helped us counter those malicious forces, but have boosted revenue growth in 2024, in particular within the B2B segment.”

Threat research and threat intelligence, usability, and defense enhanced for business customers and service partners

ESET Research remains at the core of our efforts, informing not only the prevention-enhancing capabilities and R&D of our products (such as ESET Threat Intelligence), but also providing a better understanding of the threat landscape and empowering business and consumer security, globally.

ESET Research Highlights:

Among our many successes are the research pieces pursued by our award-winning Malware and Threat Research team. Of note are:

  • The discovery of Operation Texonto, a Russian-aligned disinformation and PSYOPs operation targeting Ukrainian readers — including a Ukrainian defense provider and an EU agency
  • Identification of NGate malware that enables attackers to clone near-field communication data from victims’ physical payment cards to target banking customers
  • Examination of the actions of the Russian-aligned Gamaredon APT group and GoldenJackal cyber espionage group that are operating in Ukraine and conducting attacks across Europe
  • Research publication on RedLine Stealer’s backend modules as part of the joint investigation into the MaaS group’s activities with Dutch police, the FBI, and Eurojust in late 2024.

“In 2024, ESET deepened relationships with several significant government customers and added new partnerships, particularly in the field of cyber threat intelligence. The dividends show as we continue to work closely with law enforcement partners, including Europol, ENISA, and CISA, to help defend businesses, individuals, and societies,” said Roman Kovac, Chief Research Officer at ESET.

A great dividend of research on our ongoing product development efforts in 2024 was the introduction of two managed detection and response (MDR) services — one for SMBs and one for enterprises — while also securing several strategic partnerships. This investment contributed to double-digit revenue growth in the SMB and MSP spaces, as well as in the Enterprise segment.  This growth was also reflected by our sharpened strategies addressing the complex cybersecurity needs of large enterprises, critical infrastructure, and government institutions. This, too, can be seen in ESET Corporate Solutions’ accelerated delivery of tailored solutions for high-stakes environments.

Among the developed or expanded partnerships in 2024 were:

Progress. Protected.

In 2024, ESET continued to redefine what is possible in cybersecurity through cutting-edge research and development. At the heart of this innovation is our deep commitment to AI and machine learning — powering smarter, faster, and more adaptive threat detection systems. Through continuous collaboration with academia and relentless in-house innovation, ESET ensures that our AI-powered solutions not only meet today’s cybersecurity demands, but anticipate tomorrow’s.

Moving forward, ESET’s commitment to a cloud-first strategy, robust managed detection and response (MDR) capabilities, and AI-native prevention-first technologies remains central to its vision — ensuring resilience, adaptability, and leadership in an increasingly sophisticated threat landscape.

For further information about ESET’s successes in 2024, please read the full 2024 ESET Annual Report here.

About ESET
For 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. With solutions ranging from endpoint security to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET’s high-performing, easy-to-use products give individuals and businesses the peace of mind to enjoy the full potential of their technology. ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company. Backed by R&D facilities worldwide, ESET became the first IT security company to earn 100 Virus Bulletin VB100 awards, identifying every single “in-the-wild” malware without interruption since 2003.

About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

ESET Threat Report: ClickFix fake error surges, spreads ransomware and other malware

  • A deceptive fake error attack vector, ClickFix, surged by over 500%, becoming the second most common attack method after phishing, and responsible for nearly 8% of all blocked attacks.
  • SnakeStealer overtook Agent Tesla as the most detected infostealer, while ESET helped disrupt two major malware-as-a-service operations – Lumma Stealer and Danabot.
  • Rivalries among ransomware gangs, including RansomHub, caused internal chaos. Despite more attacks, ransom payments dropped due to takedowns and trust issues.
  • Android adware detections jumped 160% due to the Kaleidoscope malware, while NFC-based fraud spiked by more than thirty-five-fold ,with tools like GhostTap and SuperCard X enabling more digital wallet theft.
BRATISLAVA — June 26, 2025 — ESET has released its latest Threat Report, which summarizes threat landscape trends seen in ESET telemetry and from the perspective of both ESET threat detection and research experts, from December 2024 through May 2025. One of the most striking developments this period was the emergence of ClickFix, a new, deceptive attack vector that skyrocketed by over 500% compared to H2 2024 in ESET telemetry.  This makes it one of the most rapidly rising threats, accounting for nearly 8% of all blocked attacks in H1 2025 and is now the second most common attack vector after phishing. ClickFix attacks display a fake error that manipulates the victim into copying, pasting, and executing malicious commands on their devices. The attack vector affects all major operating systems including Windows, Linux, and macOS.  “The list of threats that ClickFix attacks lead to is growing by the day, including infostealers, ransomware, remote access trojans, cryptominers, post-exploitation tools, and even custom malware from nation-state-aligned threat actors,” says Jiří Kropáč, Director of Threat Prevention Labs at ESET. The infostealer landscape also saw significant shifts. With Agent Tesla fading into obsolescence, SnakeStealer (also known as Snake Keylogger) surged ahead, becoming the most detected infostealer in our telemetry. SnakeStealer’s capabilities include logging keystrokes, stealing saved credentials, capturing screenshots, and collecting clipboard data. Meanwhile, ESET contributed to major disruption operations targeting Lumma Stealer and Danabot, two prolific malware-as-a-service threats.  Before the disruption, Lumma Stealer activity in H1 2025 was higher than in H2 2024 (+21%) and Danabot was up even more, by +52%.  This shows that both were prolific threats, making their disruption that much more important. The ransomware scene further descended into chaos, with fights between rival ransomware gangs impacting several players, including the top ransomware as a service – RansomHub. Yearly data from 2024 shows that while ransomware attacks and the number of active gangs have grown, ransom payments saw a significant drop. This discrepancy may be the result of takedowns and exit scams that reshuffled the ransomware scene in 2024, but may also be partially due to diminished confidence in the gangs’ ability to keep their side of the bargain. On the Android front, adware detections soared by 160%, driven largely by a sophisticated new threat dubbed Kaleidoscope. This malware uses a deceptive “evil twin” strategy to distribute malicious apps that bombard users with intrusive ads, degrading device performance. At the same time, NFC-based fraud shot up more than thirty-five-fold, fueled by phishing campaigns and inventive relay techniques. While the overall numbers remain modest, this jump highlights the rapid evolution of the criminals’ methods and their continued focus on exploiting NFC technology. Our research into GhostTap shows how it steals card details so attackers can load victims’ cards into their own digital wallets and tap phones for fraudulent contactless payments worldwide. Organized fraud farms use multiple phones to scale these scams. SuperCard X packages NFC theft as a simple, minimalistic malware-as-a-service tool. It presents itself as a harmless NFC-related app, once installed on a victim’s device, it quietly captures and relays card data in real time for quick payouts. “From novel social engineering techniques to sophisticated mobile threats and major infostealer disruptions, the threat landscape in the first half of 2025 was anything but boring,” summarizes Kropáč about the contents of the latest ESET Threat Report. For more information, check out the ESET Threat Report H1 2025 on WeLiveSecurity.com. Make sure to follow ESET Research on Twitter (today known as X), BlueSky, and Mastodon for the latest news from ESET Research.

About ESET
For 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. With solutions ranging from endpoint security to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET’s high-performing, easy-to-use products give individuals and businesses the peace of mind to enjoy the full potential of their technology. ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company. Backed by R&D facilities worldwide, ESET became the first IT security company to earn 100 Virus Bulletin VB100 awards, identifying every single “in-the-wild” malware without interruption since 2003.

About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

ESET Named a 2025 Gartner® Peer Insights™ Customers’ Choice for Endpoint Protection

BRATISLAVA — June 17, 2025 — ESET, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, is proud to announce its recognition as the Customers’ Choice in the 2025 Gartner® Peer Insights™ “Voice of the Customer” report1 for Endpoint Protection Platforms, in the category of Organizations with Annual Revenue between 50M – 1B USD. This distinction reflects the positive feedback and high satisfaction ratings from verified end users who rely on ESET´s solutions to defend against evolving cyber threats.

According to the report, 95% of Gartner Peer Insights reviews received for ESET indicated a 5-star (60%) or 4-star (35%) rating. Overall, our customers have given us a rating of 4.9 out of 5 during the last 180 days, with 98% of them concluding they would recommend our product. “In our view, ESET’s placement in the report underscores our commitment to delivering reliable, effective, and user-friendly endpoint protection platforms solutions to organizations worldwide,” said Zuzana Legáthová, Director of Test, Analyst Relations and Market Research at ESET.

The “Voice of the Customer” report aggregates peer reviews and ratings over an 18-month period, offering valuable insights into customer experiences with leading cybersecurity vendors. ESET´s recognition is based on reviews from 187 verified end-user professionals, and we believe that it focuses on their direct experience with operating the ESET PROTECT Platform.

“Being named a Customers’ Choice by Gartner Peer Insights is a powerful validation of the trust our users place in ESET. It reflects our ongoing mission to deliver cybersecurity that’s not only powerful and reliable but also intuitive and tailored to the real-world needs of modern organizations,” said Pavol Balaj, Chief Business Officer at ESET.

ESET PROTECT is a comprehensive cybersecurity platform designed to meet the evolving needs of modern organizations. Built on decades of expertise and continuous innovation, it delivers a Prevention-First approach to security, integrating advanced technologies and security services into a single, scalable solution.

At its core, the platform features ESET LiveSense, a multilayered security engine powered by over 30 years of human expertise, machine learning, and ESET LiveGrid, a global cloud-based reputation system. This foundation enables balanced breach prevention, detection, and response capabilities, ensuring robust protection across all digital environments.

Key features include:

  • Modern, multilayered endpoint security for desktops, servers, and mobile devices
  • Extended protection for cloud applications, email systems, and servers
  • Comprehensive vulnerability assessment and patch management
  • AI-native detection technologies and advanced threat protection
  • Globally sourced telemetry and threat intelligence
  • Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services with local support and a fast 20-minute response time

The report is based on over 5,400 reviews collected over an 18-month period ending January 31, 2025. Only vendors with a minimum of 20 eligible reviews and 15 ratings for “Capabilities” and “Support/Delivery” were included.

Discover more about the ESET PROTECT Platform. For more information about ESET’s awards and recognized excellence, click here.

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc., and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, and PEER INSIGHTS is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc., and/or its affiliates and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner® Peer Insights™ content consists of the opinions of individual end users based on their own experiences and should not be construed as statements of fact, nor do they represent the views of Gartner or its affiliates. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product, or service depicted in this content nor makes any warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this content, about its accuracy or completeness, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About ESET
For 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. With solutions ranging from endpoint security to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET’s high-performing, easy-to-use products give individuals and businesses the peace of mind to enjoy the full potential of their technology. ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company. Backed by R&D facilities worldwide, ESET became the first IT security company to earn 100 Virus Bulletin VB100 awards, identifying every single “in-the-wild” malware without interruption since 2003.

About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

ESET Named a Notable Provider in latest European MDR Landscape Report

BRATISLAVA — June 3, 2025 — ESET, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, is proud to announce its recognition as a “Notable Provider” in Forrester’s recently released The Managed Detection and Response Services in Europe Landscape, Q2 2025 report. The report provides an overview of 26 MDR providers and serves as a strategic guide for security and risk (S&R) professionals seeking to navigate the evolving European MDR landscape.

As outlined in the report*, Forrester defines MDR services as: “Services that augment extended detection and response (XDR) tools with telemetry from network, identity, cloud, APIs, applications, and other log sources to produce high-fidelity detections, conduct investigations, support remote incident response, enable security automation, initiate threat hunts to identify adversaries that circumvent security controls, and help improve their clients’ overall security posture.”

In our view, ESET´s inclusion in the report underscores its growing influence in the European cybersecurity market and reaffirms the company’s commitment to delivering high-quality, proactive threat detection and response capabilities.

“We are proud to be recognized by Forrester as a Notable Provider in the European MDR landscape,” said Michal Jankech, Vice President, Enterprise & SMB/MSP, at ESET. “For us, this acknowledgment is a testament to the relentless dedication of our global teams and our unwavering commitment to protecting organizations across Europe with cutting-edge, resilient cybersecurity solutions. As the threat landscape becomes increasingly complex and adversaries more sophisticated, we believe that MDR must evolve beyond traditional detection and response. At ESET, we are focused on delivering intelligent and cost-effective services that not only detect threats but also empower organizations to respond with speed, precision, and confidence.”

The European MDR market is becoming increasingly competitive and mature, leading customers to demand better services at lower costs. To stay competitive, providers are innovating with their offerings and pricing. As a consequence, S&R professionals will have a wide range of provider options to consider. The Forrester report identifies three major dynamics shaping the MDR market in Europe, all of which align closely with ESET’s MDR offerings:

  • European firms consider XDR an essential capability: ESET’s XDR-enabling solution delivers comprehensive, transparent threat visibility and response across endpoints, networks, and applications. Backed by over 30 years of cybersecurity innovation, it combines multilayered protection, intelligent automation, and expert-level customization.
  • AI helps fill talent gaps in detection, but not response: Complemented by expert insights, ESET effectively integrates AI into its MDR offerings through ESET AI Advisor. This tool delivers real-time, personalized threat insights, simplifies complex data for all skill levels, and boosts efficiency by automating routine tasks—empowering faster, smarter threat response.
  • Niche regional providers leverage localization and specialization to compete with dominant players: Leveraging its Central European roots, ESET delivers highly localized, regulation-aligned cybersecurity solutions across EMEA.

*Forrester: The Managed Detection And Response Services In Europe Landscape, Q2 2025. Tope Olufon with Jinan Budge, Min Say, Angela Lozada, Bill Nagel. May 1, 2025

Discover more about ESET MDR services and XDR solutions. The full report is available to Forrester clients with a valid subscription or for purchase.

Forrester does not endorse any company, product, brand, or service included in its research publications and does not advise any person to select the products or services of any company or brand based on the ratings included in such publications. Information is based on the best available resources. Opinions reflect judgment at the time and are subject to change. For more information, read about Forrester’s objectivity here.

About ESET
For 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. With solutions ranging from endpoint security to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET’s high-performing, easy-to-use products give individuals and businesses the peace of mind to enjoy the full potential of their technology. ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company. Backed by R&D facilities worldwide, ESET became the first IT security company to earn 100 Virus Bulletin VB100 awards, identifying every single “in-the-wild” malware without interruption since 2003.

About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

ESET will discontinue ESET Parental Control for Android

Keeping families safe in cyberspace has been one of the top priorities for ESET since its start in 1992. Throughout all these years, ESET has been improving its protection and bringing new features to make people’s digital lives as safe as possible.

The latest testament to this commitment is the AV-Comparatives’ Product of the Year 2024 Award for ESET HOME Security Essential, a welcomed accolade for our all-in-one household cybersecurity solution.

However, sometimes this journey ends and we need to say goodbye to some of our well-loved solutions, and currently the time has come for ESET Parental Control for Android.

Why has ESET Parental Control for Android reached its end-of-life?

Usually, IT products reach their End-of-Life (EOL) due to obsolescence. They are no longer desired, or better solutions replace them.

However, parental control apps are not out of favor. For example, approximately four in five parents living in the U.K. use at least one online safety tool, such as broadband parental control, screentime management apps, gaming console parental controls, or streaming and search safety settings, according to a 2023 study conducted by Internet Matters, a nonprofit organization.

Another reason for EOL is that, over time, maintenance and necessary upgrades to old products becomes increasingly difficult until companies decide to replace their functionality with entirely new software that is not limited by older code structure.

But that’s also not the case with ESET Parental Control, which is still available as a feature of ESET HOME Security.

So, what is the reason behind this move?

It’s quite simple. ESET Parental Control for Android is no longer needed. Built-in parental control features have reached such a high quality that users naturally utilize this option instead of stand-alone solutions.    

For ESET developers, this means that, from now on, they can focus on other tasks, bringing even more advancements to the ESET technology protecting households.   

What does it mean for users?

The End of Sales date for ESET Parental Control for Android date is June 30, 2025. After this date, customers cannot purchase a new subscription or renew their existing one.  

The End-of-Life date for ESET Parental Control for Android is June 30, 2026. After this date, users can no longer install, activate, or use the application and web portal. The app will no longer be active on their devices and unavailable on either the Google Play Store or the ESET HOME platform.

Monthly auto-renewals via Google Play will be active until May 2026, and monthly auto-renewals purchased through the ESET e-Store will stop after June 2025.  

ESET Parental Control features will continue to be available in ESET’s Windows products, including ESET HOME Security.

For more information, please visit ESET EOL website.

Worried about family? Opt for full protection

If you have enjoyed ESET Parental Control, consider ESET HOME Security, which protects households from various kinds of attacks, including malware, phishing, or identity theft, and covers commonly used smart devices such as smartphones, tablets, webcams, and more.

The purpose of ESET HOME Security is to secure families with an all-in-one solution that is effortless to use, easy to manage, and brings peace of mind with multilayered protection. And, yes, this means that users of ESET HOME Security for Windows still have ESET Parental Control available, so they don’t have to search for multiple cybersecurity products to protect their digital lives.   

So, let’s bid farewell to ESET Parental Control for Android knowing that this is not the end, but rather the next step in ESET’s devotion to protecting households and families with robust cybersecurity. 

 

About ESET
For 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. With solutions ranging from endpoint security to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET’s high-performing, easy-to-use products give individuals and businesses the peace of mind to enjoy the full potential of their technology. ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company. Backed by R&D facilities worldwide, ESET became the first IT security company to earn 100 Virus Bulletin VB100 awards, identifying every single “in-the-wild” malware without interruption since 2003.

About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

ESET participates in operation to disrupt the infrastructure of Danabot infostealer

  • ESET Research has been tracking Danabot’s activity since 2018 as part of a global effort that resulted in a major disruption of the malware’s infrastructure.
  • While primarily developed as an infostealer, Danabot also has been used to distribute additional malware, including ransomware.
  • Danabot’s authors promote their toolset through underground forums and offer various rental options to potential affiliates.
  • This ESET Research analysis covers the features used in the latest versions of the malware, the authors’ business model, and an overview of the toolset offered to affiliates.
  • Poland, Italy, Spain and Turkey are historically one of the most targeted countries by Danabot.

BRATISLAVA, PRAGUE — May 22, 2025 — ESET has participated in a major infrastructure disruption of the notorious infostealer, Danabot, by the US Department of Justice, the FBI, and US Department of Defense’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service. U.S. agencies were working closely with Germany’s Bundeskriminalamt, the Netherlands’ National Police, and the Australian Federal Police . ESET took part in the effort alongside Amazon, CrowdStrike, Flashpoint, Google, Intel471, PayPal, Proofpoint, Team Cymru and Zscaler. ESET Research, which has been tracking Danabot since 2018, contributed assistance that included providing technical analysis of the malware and its backend infrastructure, as well as identifying Danabot’s C&C servers. During that period, ESET analyzed various Danabot campaigns all over the world, with Poland, Italy, Spain and Turkey historically being one of the most targeted countries. The joint takedown effort also led to the identification of individuals responsible for Danabot development, sales, administration, and more.

These law enforcement operations were conducted under Operation Endgame — an ongoing global initiative aimed at identifying, dismantling, and prosecuting cybercriminal networks. Coordinated by Europol and Eurojust, the operation successfully took down critical infrastructure used to deploy ransomware through malicious software.

“Since Danabot has been largely disrupted, we are using this opportunity to share our insights into the workings of this malware-as-a-service operation, covering the features used in the latest versions of the malware, the authors’ business model, and an overview of the toolset offered to affiliates. Apart from exfiltrating sensitive data, we have observed that Danabot is also used to deliver further malware, which can include ransomware, to an already compromised system,” says ESET researcher Tomáš Procházka, who investigated Danabot.

The authors of Danabot operate as a single group, offering their tool for rental to potential affiliates, who subsequently employ it for their malicious purposes by establishing and managing their own botnets. Danabot’s authors have developed a vast variety of features to assist customers with their malevolent motives. The most prominent features offered by Danabot include: the ability to steal various data from browsers, mail clients, FTP clients, and other popular software; keylogging and screen recording; real-time remote control of the victims’ systems; file grabbing (commonly used for stealing cryptocurrency wallets); support for Zeus-like webinjects and form grabbing; and arbitrary payload upload and execution. Besides utilizing its stealing capabilities, ESET Research has observed a variety of payloads being distributed via Danabot over the years.  Furthermore, ESET has encountered instances of Danabot being used to download ransomware onto already compromised systems.

In addition to typical cybercrime, Danabot has also been used in less conventional activities such as utilizing compromised machines for launching DDoS attacks… for example, a DDoS attack against Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense soon after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Throughout its existence, according to ESET monitoring, Danabot has been a tool of choice for many cybercriminals and each of them has used different means of distribution. Danabot’s developers even partnered with the authors of several malware cryptors and loaders, and offered special pricing for a distribution bundle to their customers, helping them with the process.  Recently, out of all distribution mechanisms ESET observed, the misuse of Google Ads to display seemingly relevant, but actually malicious, websites among the sponsored links in Google search results stands out as one of the most prominent methods to lure victims into downloading Danabot. The most popular ploy is packing the malware with legitimate software and offering such a package through bogus software sites or websites falsely promising users to help them find unclaimed funds. The latest addition to these social engineering techniques are deceptive websites offering solutions for fabricated computer issues, whose only purpose is to lure victims into execution of a malicious command secretly inserted into the user’s clipboard.

The typical toolset provided by Danabot’s authors to their affiliates includes an administration panel application, a backconnect tool for real-time control of bots, and a proxy server application that relays the communications between the bots and the actual C&C server. Affiliates can choose from various options to generate new Danabot builds, and it’s their responsibility to distribute these builds through their own campaigns.

“It remains to be seen whether Danabot can recover from the takedown. The blow will, however, surely be felt, since law enforcement managed to unmask several individuals involved in the malware’s operations,” concludes Procházka.

For technical overview of Danabot and insight into its operation, check out ESET Research blogpost: “Danabot: Analyzing a fallen empire” on WeLiveSecurity.com. Make sure to follow ESET Research on Twitter (today known as X), BlueSky, and Mastodon for the latest news from ESET Research.

Worldwide Danabot detections as seen in ESET telemetry since 2018

Example of typical Danabot infrastructure

About ESET
For 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. With solutions ranging from endpoint security to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET’s high-performing, easy-to-use products give individuals and businesses the peace of mind to enjoy the full potential of their technology. ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company. Backed by R&D facilities worldwide, ESET became the first IT security company to earn 100 Virus Bulletin VB100 awards, identifying every single “in-the-wild” malware without interruption since 2003.

About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.