Comodo is buying the technology assets of second-tier anti-malware firm Privacy Software Corporation. Financial details were not disclosed.

Comodo, which is best known for its digital certificate business, plans to use PSC's technology to bolster its desktop security portfolio. It will also continue to market PSC's NSClean, IE Clean and BOClean as stand-alone products. Kevin McAleavey, founder of PSC, is to join Comodo where he'll lead anti-malware product development.

Starting with the release of a personal firewall. Comodo has developed a range of desktop security products, versions of which (e.g. Comodo AntiVirus, Comodo AntiSpam) are available to consumers at no charge. ®