ESET, the leader in proactive threat protection, has announced that ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4 for Linux Desktop is now available for public beta testing.

ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4 for Linux Desktop utilizes the same trusted ThreatSense® technology that powers ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4 for Windows. Proactive heuristic technology detects and stops new malware and variants on Linux machines, without leaving them vulnerable for hours and days waiting for signature updates.

The growing popularity of Linux netbooks and desktops has made the Linux platform a new target for malware writers. Not only are these computers susceptible to Linux-specific malware, they can also carry Windows or Mac OS X malware through file sharing and email attachments. ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4 secures the Linux desktop in a heterogeneous environment.

Key features:

• Detects and cleans Linux infections plus files carrying Windows and Mac OS X malware
• Compact updates keep Linux machines protected without slowdown
• Removable media scanning allows safe file sharing
• Smart and customizable GUI automatically disables alerts when running full screen applications (e.g. games, videos, presentations)
• Logs, charts and statistics provide at-a-glance summary of security status
• Supports most Linux distributions with 2.6 kernel, GTK+ 2.6 or later, and LSB 3.1 compatibility

NOTE: The beta test version is a precursor of the final product. Full functionality and documentation have not yet been implemented. Some system instability may occur; ESET recommends experienced users install NOD32 Antivirus for Linux Desktop only on machines that do not perform critical tasks.

Please visit ESET's Beta Test portal for more information.