FaceTime Communications has acquired the anti-spyware technology of XBlock Systems plus its SpywareGuide.com resource.
FaceTime said the acquisition expands its defense-in-depth approach to securing legitimate "greynet" applications such as instant messaging and web conferencing by providing protection against illegitimate graynet applications such as spyware.
The company described a greynet as an unsanctioned application that is downloaded and installed on a client system, often without a user's knowledge, and secretly traverses the network.
Under the deal, FaceTime will acquire XBlock's anti-spyware database, its patent-pending technology for protecting systems from spyware, and SpywareGuide.com, an anti-spwyare reference source.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.