VirusTotal Introduces AI-Powered Malware Analysis Feature

TL;DR:

  • VirusTotal has launched a new AI-powered code analysis feature called Code Insight.
  • Code Insight is powered by Google Cloud Security AI Workbench and uses the Sec-PaLM large language model.
  • The feature analyzes potentially harmful files to explain their behavior and identify true threats.
  • Code Insight is initially deployed to analyze a subset of PowerShell files uploaded to VirusTotal.
  • The analysis is independent of metadata, only examining the file content.
  • The code analysis LLM model is not immune to errors, and accuracy may vary.
  • Integration of LLMs into code analysis tools is a significant step forward in improving threat detection and response efficiency.
  • VirusTotal will add more file formats to the list of supported files in the future.
  • VirusTotal is an online malware-scanning platform with over 500,000 registered users, owned by Google’s Chronicle security subsidiary.

Main AI News:

VirusTotal, the leading online malware-scanning platform with over 500,000 registered users, has announced the launch of its new artificial intelligence-powered code analysis feature, Code Insight. The cutting-edge tool is powered by Google Cloud Security AI Workbench and leverages the Sec-PaLM large language model, which has been specifically fine-tuned for security use cases.

Code Insight provides an in-depth analysis of potentially harmful files, helping security professionals to identify the true threats by explaining the malicious behavior of these files. Initially deployed to analyze a subset of PowerShell files uploaded to VirusTotal, the system carefully selects only the most relevant files while excluding highly similar or excessively large files to ensure efficient use of analysis resources.

The independent analysis of Code Insight, which is based solely on the file content, provides valuable insight into false positives and negatives. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the code analysis LLM model is not immune to errors, and its accuracy may vary. Security analysts must interpret the information generated by Code Insight in the context of relevant data related to the analyzed file.

VirusTotal founder Bernardo Quintero stated that the integration of LLMs into the code analysis toolkit is a significant step forward in improving threat detection and response efficiency. With Code Insight, security experts now have the ability to gain a deeper understanding of the structure and behavior of potentially malicious code, leading to improved threat detection.

In the near future, VirusTotal plans to expand the capabilities of this cutting-edge feature by adding additional file formats to its supported list. As a subsidiary of Google’s Chronicle security, VirusTotal offers a comprehensive solution for analyzing suspicious files and URLs, utilizing over 70 antivirus scanners and domain blocklisting services to detect malicious content.

Conlcusion:

The launch of VirusTotal’s Code Insight represents a significant development in the market for code analysis tools. The integration of artificial intelligence and the Sec-PaLM large language model enhances the ability of security professionals to detect and respond to potential threats more efficiently. As VirusTotal continues to expand the scope of this feature by adding more file formats to the list of supported files, it is likely to become an increasingly valuable tool for organizations looking to secure their systems and data.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of cyber security, staying ahead of the curve is crucial, and the deployment of advanced technologies like Code Insight is a key step in that direction. This development is likely to have a positive impact on the security market as organizations look to adopt more sophisticated solutions to protect against evolving threats.

Source