Google has open-sourced a powerful new technology that could give the good guys an edge in fighting cybercrime around the globe. Dubbed Magika, it uses artificial intelligence to instantly identify untold varieties of computer files – a boon for bolstering digital defenses.
Magika can rapidly discern file types within milliseconds using a streamlined deep learning algorithm. This AI model acts essentially like an ultra-savvy human analyst, recognizing files that would flummox traditional software relying on hand-coded rules. And it does so with 99% accuracy on over 1 million samples in testing.
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Google Unleashes a Clever New AI Weapon Against Cybercrime
Such precise identification enables proactive blocking of potentially malicious files before attacks occur. It also correctly routes benign files to appropriate security scans. This is why Google already trusts Magika to handle hundreds of billions of weekly files across Gmail, Drive and its malware tracking.
By open-sourcing the technology, Google now offers these AI superpowers to any security vendor or IT team. Integrating Magika could significantly upgrade identification accuracy over more basic tools.
In one real-world example, Google will soon use Magika to filter submissions to VirusTotal – a widely used platform for detecting malicious code. By quickly separating suspicious from legitimate files, Magika makes VirusTotal’s systems more efficient and accurate overall.
And this is only the beginning. As more organizations tap into Magika’s capabilities, it could directly strengthen global cyber defenses through enhanced collaboration.
So while malicious hackers continue evolving their tactics, the protectors of the digital realm now have their own next-gen AI advantage. Magika represents a smart way to further tip the scales towards cybersecurity – and away from chaos.
