Acronis Integrates AI into True Image 2018 for Enhanced Data Protection
Image: Beloussov introducing Acronis ahead of the launch of Acronis True Image 2018.
Beloussov speaking at the Acronis True Image 2018 launch event.
Acronis, a global leader in hybrid cloud data protection, is incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into its entire product line. Serguei Beloussov, co-founder and CEO of Acronis, emphasized their commitment to AI integration across all products. This announcement was made during the launch of their flagship product, Acronis True Image 2018. This intelligent backup solution features AI-powered ransomware protection for both personal and home office users.
Image: Highlighting new features in Acronis True Image 2018.
Acronis True Image 2018 boasts over 240 new features and enhancements.
Beloussov highlighted that traditional cybersecurity measures focus on malware detection and prevention. In contrast, Acronis True Image prioritizes data protection, ensuring its safety even in data loss events.
While ransomware attacks receive significant attention, data loss can occur in numerous ways. Accidental deletions, malware, hardware damage, hardware failure, theft, and forgotten passwords are all common culprits. This underscores the critical importance of a robust backup solution. Acronis True Image 2018 delivers significant enhancements to backup and recovery functions. It’s also the first personal backup solution to integrate AI-based technology for proactive ransomware protection.
Beloussov emphasized Acronis’ legacy as a pioneer in intelligent backup solutions, stating that Acronis True Image 2018 continues this tradition by being the first and only personal backup software to leverage AI in defending against growing data threats.
Built on the principles of reliability, user-friendliness, and security, Acronis True Image 2018 aims to provide consistent recovery across devices, simplified setup, and robust data protection. Beloussov stressed the importance of effortless, comprehensive protection for all users.
The combination of Acronis Active Protection, the company’s AI-driven ransomware defense, with advanced backup and recovery features like active disk cloning and automated WinPE boot media creation positions Acronis True Image 2018 as a new benchmark in intelligent backup for individuals, families, and small businesses.
Customer feedback highlights the reliability of Acronis True Image, with 95% of surveyed users confirming their preference and recommendation based on its robust backup capabilities. The 2018 release further enhances these core features with notable additions, including:
- Active Disk Cloning: Enables users to create an exact copy of a live Windows system without requiring restarts, simplifying migration to larger or faster disks.
- Enhanced Media Builder: Automates the creation of bootable WinPE media, streamlining driver configuration troubleshooting and system recovery on existing or new hardware.
- Cloud-Based Continuous Backup: Allows users to back up files while working, securely storing an offsite copy in the cloud with automatic updates every five minutes.
- Optimized for Slow Connections: Leverages Changed-Block Tracker technology to increase incremental backup speeds up to three times, especially beneficial for users with slower internet connections.
- Network-Attached Storage (NAS) Support: Provides automatic backup initiation for mobile devices upon connecting to the same Wi-Fi network as the NAS, simplifying the backup process.
- Instagram Backup: Addresses the growing need for social media data protection by automatically backing up Instagram accounts, including photos, comments, and engagement statistics.
- Virtual Drive Conversion: Users can test the recoverability of full image backups, run their system in a virtual environment for application testing, or migrate a complete system image as a virtual drive.
- Comprehensive Status Updates: Features an intuitive visual interface that displays backup activity and statistics, offering users clear insights into their backup status and storage usage.
Combatting the Growing Threat of Ransomware with Acronis Active Protection 2.0
Beloussov anticipates a surge in ransomware attacks, comparing its pervasiveness to the common cold. He predicts that ransomware protection will become an indispensable feature of any reputable backup software.
With ransomware damages projected to exceed US$5 billion this year, Acronis True Image 2018 prioritizes the protection of user data. As cybercriminals increasingly target backup files to extort ransom payments, Acronis’ technology actively defends both original data and backup copies.
Beyond automated recovery, Acronis True Image 2018 prevents ransomware from compromising user data through real-time monitoring. Acronis Active Protection 2.0 analyzes all processes, permitting approved activities while identifying and halting potentially malicious behavior. Should files be encrypted during a ransomware attack, Acronis True Image 2018 automatically restores them from backup.
Utilizing machine learning models trained on a vast dataset, Acronis Active Protection detects unusual file access patterns in real time, even when disguised as legitimate processes. These models, generated within Acronis’ dedicated Cloud AI infrastructure, enable Acronis True Image 2018 to provide independent system protection without requiring an internet connection.
Upon detecting unusual activity, Active Protection analyzes the process using both heuristics and models of expected behavior. If identified as potentially malicious, Acronis True Image 2018 immediately alerts the user. Beloussov reports a 99.95% accuracy rate in ransomware detection, with future capabilities aimed at predicting potential software, hardware, and system failures.
He emphasizes their ability to address threats beyond known ransomware strains, highlighting the continuous improvement of their ransomware prevention capabilities as the user base grows and provides valuable data. Beloussov cites the example of Cerber ransomware, which employs an atypical approach by slowly encrypting file headers to avoid detection.
A new Security Dashboard offers users complete visibility into Acronis Active Protection, allowing them to monitor flagged processes, review blocked activities, and manage a whitelist of trusted applications.
Active Protection 2.0 is also available for Mac users, demonstrating its efficacy in identifying threats like the Patcher ransomware disguised as Adobe Premiere CC and KeRanger, distributed as a popular BitTorrent application.
Acronis True Image boasts a substantial customer base, with over a million consumer users in Asia, more than 100,000 business customers in Asia, and exceeding 30,000 partners globally. Developed in Singapore, Acronis Active Protection has garnered significant adoption, with over 10,000 unique users for its initial release in January 2017.
Acronis True Image 2018: Availability and Pricing
Interested users can explore the new features of Acronis True Image 2018 on the Acronis website. Instagram backup will be globally available starting September 4, 2017.
Acronis True Image 2018 is available for purchase online, through major software retailers, and retail stores worldwide. Three editions are available, each equipped with Acronis Active Protection and coverage for unlimited mobile devices:
- Standard: Offers a perpetual license without cloud storage for users who prefer local data storage. Annual pricing starts at S$69.99 for a single computer.
- Advanced: Provides a one-year subscription that includes 250 GB of cloud storage and access to all cloud-based features. Priced at S$69.99 per year for one computer.
- Premium: Offers a one-year subscription with Blockchain-based data certification, electronic signature capabilities, and 1 TB of cloud storage. Priced at S$99.99 per year for one computer.
Advanced and Premium subscribers can purchase additional cloud storage directly within the application. Advanced licenses can expand up to 500 GB, while Premium licenses offer scalability up to 5 TB of cloud storage.