ESET supports the work of malware researcher Marc-Étienne Léveillé, a founding member of the Group Security Assistance For Education & Research (SAFER).
It is a new organization created by independent security experts who have joined forces to better protect the Research & Education sector from global threats. The majority of security experts are supported by relevant public bodies such as CERN, with ESET being the only private company to undertake to support the work of a founding member of SAFER.
ESET's support of SAFER furthers its mission for a safer Internet in a world of increasing threats from international criminal organizations and nation states.
In order to become a member of SAFER, one must first have substantially contributed to better safety of the research and education sector, resulting in recognition and trust. Second, he should accept an invitation to join the organization from SAFER itself.
Having secured the support of ESET's Malware Research team, Marc-Étienne Léveillé collaborated with Research & Education during his extensive investigation into Windigo and Kobalos. Kobalos is one malware (backdoor cuts) Linux aimed at supercomputers, especially those used in academic and scientific institutions.
It is worth noting that ESET's research on Kobalos was done in cooperation with CERN, another organization supporting SAFER. Other organizations supporting the work of the SAFER team are LBNL, DFN-CERT, ESnet, STFC and WLCG.
For many years now, ESET has been supporting the educational, academic, and research community. In this context, the company established the ESET Foundation, with the main mission of the foundation promoting education, research, and the advancement of sciencefor the benefit of society.
One of the activities of the ESET Foundation is the awarding of the annual ESET Science Award to scientists in Slovakia. Investing in the education and development of the community, especially children, is also a key priority of the ESET Foundation.
Another clear example of ESET's academic support is its collaboration with the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, where ESET staff teach and conduct research. ESET also publishes its own cybersecurity surveys at WeLiveSecurity.