Arxan Technologies announced Linux platform coverage for its GuardIT product. Linux has made it a mainstream platform for desktop- and server-based applications as well as software within embedded devices. Fulfilling the need to protect Linux applications against piracy, reverse engineering and malware insertion, Arxan’s GuardIT for Linux supports software applications across Linux desktop, server and embedded platforms.

“Anywhere there is valuable software-based intellectual property, there is a need to protect it,” said Neil MacDonald, Vice President and Gartner Fellow. “For instance, there is a growing concern about protecting the IP used in embedded systems, particularly the software embedded within process controls placed at remote or outsourced manufacturing facilities, printers, mobile devices, routers, automated teller machines (ATMs), and kiosks – all areas where the use of Linux is common.”

As Linux gains in popularity, hackers are increasingly exploiting weaknesses in Linux applications to invade end user systems. Facing this challenge of protecting resident IP in their proprietary Linux applications, software developers are demanding a durable protection solution that safeguards propriety portions of their code from attacks. Arxan’s GuardIT for Linux now enables developers to protect their software applications against software tampering or theft, providing application hardening and anti-tamper measures to prevent malware insertion, and mitigating the risk of exploitable vulnerabilities in Linux applications.

Through an interconnected mesh of small security units called Guards scattered across a compiled binary and then dissolved into the application, Arxan’s GuardIT deeply fortifies the overall software product against piracy, tampering, reverse engineering and other forms of attack.

With this latest release, GuardIT:

• Is the only durable binary-based application hardening solution across Windows, .NET and Linux desktop, server and embedded platforms for both x86 and PowerPC.
• Offers depth and breadth of Guard technology for Linux developers, providing feature parity with GuardIT for Windows for both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures.
• Delivers Guard types such as Anti-tamper and Anti-debug, in concert with Obfuscation and Encryption, to thwart attacks. For instance, developers can defend against dynamic analysis using the Anti-Tamper Guard, and leverage the Obfuscation Guard to defend against static analysis.
• Provides new selective analysis capabilities that enable developers to analyze specified portions of their binary, resulting in even more targeted code protection. Customers now have greater flexibility in protecting portions of code that are the most valuable or vulnerable.

“Linux is a key development platform for many software applications on the market today and its popularity makes it a prime candidate for attacks,” said Mike Dager, CEO, Arxan. “To meet this market demand, we’ve expanded our GuardIT solution across the board to increase flexibility and ease-of-use, enhance performance and accelerate deployment. We are pleased to meet customer needs by delivering a durable solution that provides developers with a broad range of protection and application hardening technology never before possible.”

GuardIT enables software-driven companies to protect software-rich IP against piracy and tampering to preserve revenue and brand erosion with a durable and easy-to-use application hardening solution. Arxan’s technology is deployed via a binary-based solution that is not intrusive to application performance and supports existing release schedules within an organization’s Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Now armed with GuardIT’s increased code protection for Linux applications, software providers can exercise flexible-yet-granular control over specific and critical areas of the software without stifling performance and remaining compatible with license management systems.