Google 'Xooglers' Storm Start-Ups

Dasient

Category: Internet security

Founders: Neil Daswani, Shariq Rizvi

Dasient, which protects Web sites from Internet threats, was co-founded last year by Google engineers Neil Daswani and Shariq Rizvi (as well as former McKinsey consultant Ameet Ranadive).

Dasient's software helps Web sites detect and monitor malware -- malicious software designed to infiltrate a computer system without the owner's intent. Dasient also provides a service that quarantines infected code while permitting outside users to continue accessing the Web site.

Malware poses a significant problem to legitimate Web sites, as its presence can damage a brand's reputation, and place the company on blacklists from security software firms, search engines and browsers.

Malware is particularly prevalent on social networking sites like Facebook, where one out of five users reports being exposed to threats, according to antivirus software company BitDefender.

Dasient, based in Sunnyvale, Calif., has received $2 million in seed funding.