Trend Micro, a leader in security software and solutions, has launched a license-free tools to scan and protect servers, as well as web users, across Mac OSX and Linux platforms, event as ‘Shellshock’ or ‘Bash’ bug continues to raise concern.

The vulnerability has potential to adversely impact a half billion web servers and other Internet-connected devices including mobile phones, routers and medical devices, said a statement.

Eva Chen, CEO, said: “Since this situation has potential to escalate quickly, we are taking immediate preventative steps to help keep the public safe from this unprecedented vulnerability.

“We believe the most responsible course of action is for technology users to remain calm and apply the resources made available from Trend Micro, and others, to create a strong defensive front. By making our tools accessible free of charge to our customers, and beyond, we are trying to address this ‘outbreak’ to stop a possible epidemic before it can start.”

Broadly publicised recently, the Bash bug is a vulnerability that can exploit command access to Linux-based systems and adversely impact a majority of the web servers around the world, as well as Internet-connected devices on the Mac OSX platform.

One of the free tools featured, the on-demand BashLite Malware Scanner, will determine if the BashLite malware is resident on your Linux systems.

Raimund Genes, chief technology officer, said: “Shellshock could be notably more widespread than the infamous Heartbleed from earlier this year. Heartbleed was very different in nature and behavior. With Shellshock the threats are much more severe.”

Trend Micro’s strategy is to contain the vulnerability and build up defenses, which includes the distribution of tools to help IT administrators scan and protect servers, including web security and anti-malware tools to help protect their end-users.

The protection of enterprise servers and users includes ‘Deep Security as a Service’; ‘Deep Security for Web Apps’; ‘Deep Discovery network monitoring’; and ‘Interscan Web Security.’

For consumers, it includes Trend Micro Free Tool for PCs, Macs and Android devices, which will notify the end-user of a website Trend Micro has identified as being affected by the Bash vulnerability.

Trend Micro researchers are currently monitoring this vulnerability in the wild to anticipate additional escalations. The company’s experts have also released a detailed blog post explaining the vulnerability with additional recommendations to stay protected. - TradeArabia News Service