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ESET is an IT security company developing leading-edge security solutions against cyber threats. Founded and headquartered in Bratislava, Slovakia in 1992, the unique scanning technology precedes the company's founding, celebrating its 25 years in 2012.

The beginnings of ESET

The beginnings of ESET date back to 1987 when two young programming enthusiasts, Peter Paško and Miroslav Trnka, discovered one of the world’s first computer viruses. They dubbed it “Vienna” and wrote a program for its detection.

Many other virus discoveries quickly followed, which sparked the idea to devise a universal software solution to counter these then relatively unknown computer threats.

In 1992, together with their mutual friend Rudolf Hrubý, they formally established ESET as a privately owned limited liability company.

 

What started as the brainchild of a few friends has evolved into an antivirus program considered to be one of the fastest and most effective in the world. Engineered for speed and stability, it fulfills the founders’ vision to put advanced technology in defense of the PC user.

Throughout the company’s expansion, we stayed true to the principles underpinning the company‘s philosophy — responsibility, reliability and honesty. These, coupled with innovation, continue to be the driving force behind the company‘s success and growth.

ESET today

ESET is a privately-owned company with more than 800 employees worldwide.

Headquartered in Bratislava Slovakia, ESET has global presence with regional distribution centers in San Diego (U.S.), Buenos Aires (Argentina), and Singapore, and offices in Sao Paulo (Brazil) and Prague (Czech Republic).  

 

Over the years, the company has built-up a network of malware research centers in Bratislava, San Diego, Buenos Aires, Singapore, Prague, Košice (Slovakia), Krakow (Poland), Montreal (Canada), and Moscow (Russia).

"In our beginning, we looked at our job as a service to PC users. We believed that computers would grow in importance - if people would continue to rely on them for storing their life´s work, confidential data or making online transactions."

Miroslav Trnka, co-founder, ESET

2012

 Logo - ESET :: 25 Years Innovative Top-Rated Antivirus Protection
  • In September celebrated 20 years since the company’s founding
  • In May, joined forces with Google Play for its Android-based antivirus protection - ESET Mobile Security for Android, for both smartphones and tablets
  • In April, opened the technological hub in Montreal, Canada with offices directly on the campus of the highly-recognized École Polytechnique Montreal
  • In March, ESET exhibited for the first time at GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona - the world's largest exhibition for the mobile industry

2011
  • In October, ranked in Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Central Europe and is the only company to have placed in the "Fast 50" ranking ten times in a row. Previously, ESET has been ranked in Deloitte Technology Fast 500 EMEA for several times
  • In September, ESET CEO Richard Marko was named IT personality of the year in Slovakia
  • In September, launched ESET NOD32 Antivirus 5 and ESET Smart Security 5, the fifth generation of the flagship security solutions
  • In the fall, selected as one of the top ten most innovative companies in Europe for the 2011 HSBC European Business Awards receiving the Ruban d’Honneur accolade
  • In June, opened its second Slovak office, research and development center in Košice
  • In April, brought to life its first security solution for Linux desktops
  • In January, Richard Marko became the new CEO of ESET

2010
  • Became the first company to receive 60 VB100 awards
  • In November, the CRN Magazine included ESET CEO Miroslav Trnka as one of the 25 Most Innovative Executives of 2010.In November, ESET received third-time record-breaking "Company of the Year&qout; recognition awarded by TREND, an economic weekly in Slovakia
  • In November, launched security solutions for the Mac OS X platform - ESET Cybersecurity
  • In September, released ESET Mobile Security for Windows and Symbian platforms
  • Named one of America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies by Inc. magazine for the 4th consecutive year
  • Acquired anti-spam company Comdom
  • Opened the Asia/Pacific office in Singapore
  • In January, Richard Marko, then ESET’ CTO, was chosen by "CRN" as one of the top 25 technology leaders in the world

2009
  • Launched ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4 and ESET Smart Security 4
  • Securing "Our eCity" initiative founded to promote cyber security
  • Received prestigious "Company of the Year" recognition awarded by TREND, an economic weekly in Slovakia, for the first time
  • Has been introduced into the IT Hall of Fame in Slovakia
  • Received CNET Editors' Choice award
  • Being placed on Gartner Magic Quadrant
  • Ranked #1 by Consumer Reports
  • Ranked #1 antivirus by Maximum PC magazine
  • Named one of America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies by INC. Magazine for the 3rd consecutive year
  • Named 6th-fastest growing privately-held company in San Diego
  • Launched official ESET Facebook page

2008
  • Merged with ESET, LLC USA
  • In September, ESET CEO Miroslav Trnka was named IT personality of the year in Slovakia
  • Opened the Research and Development Center in Krakow, Poland
  • Acquired Šetrnet, a Czech-based AV company
  • Achieved 50th overall Virus Bulletin Award

2007
  • In November, launched ESET NOD 32 Antivirus 3.0 and introduced ESET Smart Security, the new flagship software
  • ESET is distributed in more than 100 countries

2006
  • Received the second "IT Company of the Year" award in Slovakia at IT Gala

2005
  • Introduced ThreatSense unified engine, based on Advanced Heuristics and ThreatSense.Net, a cloud-based early warning and malware analysis system

2004
  • Opened the Latin American office in Buenos Aires, Argentina

2002
  • Launched ESET NOD32 Antivirus 2.0 for MS Windows, introducing a technological breakthrough in malware detection with ESET’s Advanced Heuristics
  • Participated in the largest IT expo in the world - CeBit in Hannover, Germany - for the first time
  • Received "IT Company of the Year" recognition awarded by the Slovak Information and Communication Technologies Association
  • Listed for the first time in "Fast 50 CE" and "Fast 500 EMEA" ranking by Deloitte

2001
  • Established ESET Software Company in Prague, Czech Republic

2000
  • Started to develop a global partner network by appointing the first exclusive partner in Australia and several other partners in EMEA, LATAM and APAC region

1999
  • Commenced the global expansion by establishing ESET LLC in San Diego, USA

1998
  • ESET NOD32 Antivirus received the first Virus Bulletin Test award

1995
  • Launched the streamlined version of the antivirus program NOD-iCE

1993
  • Started to contribute to "Virus Radar" column in a leading Slovak IT periodical PC-Revue

1992
  • Established ESET Spol. s.r.o. in the former Czechoslovakia. The associates are: Rudolf Hrubý, Peter Paško and Miroslav Trnka
  • Started to sell the first AV products in Slovakia and abroad
  • The foundation of Slovak Antivirus Center (SAC) and SAC BBS

1990
  • Launched retail through A.T.A. Consortium
  • Delivered the first retail version to the Austrian market under the product name STOPVIR

1987
  • Created the first version of antivirus NOD running on MS-DOS; the authors are Peter Paško and Miroslav Trnka
  • NOD is a twist on an acronym of a Czechoslovak television series title, meaning "Hospital at the Edge of the Disc"