Panda Security SA, formerly Panda Software, is a computer security company founded in 1990 by Panda's former CEO, Mikel Urizarbarrena, in the city of Bilbao, Spain. Initially centered on the production of antivirus software, the company has expanded its line of applications to include firewall application, spam and spyware detection applications, cybercrime prevention technology, and other system management and security tools for businesses and home users.

Panda's products include security tools for home users and enterprises, including protection against cybercrime and kinds of malware that can damage IT systems, such as spam, hackers, spyware, dialers and undesirable web content, as well as detection of WiFi intrusions. Its trademark technology, branded TruPrevent™, is a set of proactive capabilities aimed at blocking unknown viruses and intruders. Panda has also created a new security model called Mega Detection that they claim offers a higher level of protection than traditional antivirus applications.

About the company

Overview

The company, whose shares were previously 100% held by Urizarbarrena, announced on 24 April 2007 the sale of 75% of its shares to Southern European investment group Investindustrial and private equity firm Gala Capital. On 30 July 2007 the company changed its name from Panda Software to Panda Security.

The company has been ranked among the 500 fastest growing European companies since 1997. Panda Software is a market leader in Spain and in 1998, the company became Europe's leading antivirus software developer. In 2003, Panda Software has experienced 1,000% growth in revenues worldwide.

Panda Software has clients across 230 countries and offices in 50, including the USA, Canada, Germany, China, the United Kingdom, France, Thailand, Greece, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Peru, Bulgaria, Pakistan, Poland, Turkey, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland. In 2003, Panda Software reached Japan, Argentina, Korea and Australia.

Panda Software competes in the antivirus industry against Symantec Corp., Kaspersky, McAfee Inc. and Trend Micro Inc., among others.

Church of Scientology & Panda Software

As Panda Software was founded by a scientologist, The Ministry of Education has advised schools in France not to contract with Panda and to stop using its software. On May 3rd, 2001, an official of the Rectorat of Montpellier, a Ministry of National Education entity for the city of Montpellier, sent a letter to Colleges under the Rectorat's jurisdiction in France. It instructs colleges to cease using it.

In the United States, Panda's Chief Financial Officer testified on July 11, 2001, before the International Operations and Human Rights Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives that since Panda became the target of religious and economic discrimination in France, the company's third largest market after the United States and Great Britain, his French subsidiary operation suffered a devastating drop in revenue. This financial contraction has continued since, with the French company losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in the government sector alone in non-renewals of contracts and loss of deals.

Criticism

Some users have complained of regularly receiving unsolicited e-mail from Panda, and have said that efforts to unsubscribe from the mailings or contact the company have been unsuccessful.

Products

Retail products

Panda Antivirus 2008 (includes:antivirus,antispyware,antiphishing, antirootkit)

Panda Titanium/Panda Antivirus + Firewall 2008 (includes:antivirus,antispyware,antiphishing, antirootkit,firewall)

Panda Platinum/Panda Internet Security 2008 (includes:antivirus,antispyware,antiphishing, antirootkit,firewall,parental control, backup)

Panda ActiveScan Pro

Panda TotalScan Pro

Panda DesktopSecure for Linux

Corporate products

Panda EnterpriSecure

Panda BusinesSecure

Panda ClientShield

Panda FileSecure

Panda AdminSecure

Panda SambaSecure Antivirus

Panda ExchangeSecure Antivirus

Panda DominoSecure Antivirus

Panda CVPSecure Antivirus

Panda ISASecure Antivirus

Panda SendmailSecure Antivirus

Panda QmailSecure Antivirus

Panda PostfixSecure Antivirus

Panda CommandlineSecure Antivirus

Panda WebAdmin Antivirus

Panda TruPrevent™ Corporate

Panda DesktopSecure for Linux

Panda Malware Radar

Hardware combined with software

Gatedefender Performa

Gatedefender Integra