(WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) — Messaging and Web security provider Commtouch (www.commtouch.com) announced on Tuesday it will acquire the assets, products, licenses, and operations of the Command antivirus division of Authentium (www.authentium.com).
Command antivirus, which includes technology to protect against spyware, Trojan downloaders, and other threats, complements the rest of Commtouch’s product portfolio.
With the addition of antivirus technology as its new, third product line, Commtouch will be offering a comprehensive set of solutions for inbound and outbound messaging and Web security to its customers.
The Command antivirus division’s customer base is currently comprised of many leading service providers and vendors, including Google, McAfee, and Microsoft.
Commtouch will pay $4.6 million in cash and an additional “earnout”, which may bring the total amount to about $8 million.
The acquisition will allow Commtouch to accelerate its rate of growth in revenues and profits.
“In the past 18 months, we have expanded our product offerings from a single product line — that of messaging security — to three complementary product lines, including the one we are purchasing now,” says Gideon Mantel, Commtouch’s chairman of the board and CEO. “In addition, we have broadened our target markets from a single market — OEM vendors — to include service providers. We believe that this unique combination of expanded offerings and target markets will set the stage for healthy growth for the coming years.”
Authentium’s chief science officer Helmuth Freericks, who also co-founded Command, will join Commtouch’s management team as general manager of antivirus solutions.
The rest of the Command employees, including its virus lab analysts, will also be joining Commtouch, under Freericks’ leadership.
Combining the skills and resources of both companies, Commtouch plans to leverage the Command technology and continue developing and enhancing it.
The acquisition is expected to close by September 30.
