Anonymizer acquired by risk-mitigation firm

IDG News Service — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:30:53 -0700

Risk-mitigation firm Abraxas Corp. Thursday announced it has acquired Anonymizer for an undisclosed price.

Anonymizer makes products that can conceal an online user's identity. The San Diego company's founder and CTO Lance Cottrell, has been an outspoken privacy advocate, particularly in areas of the world where government-based censorship and monitoring of individuals exists.

Herndon, Va.-based Abraxas, which provides technology for the national security community, intends to keep Anonymizer as a subsidiary.

Cottrell has been named chief scientist and is expected to "continue to pursue his advocacy of privacy for people around the world," said Richard Helms, Abraxas CEO and founder, in a statement.

Anonymizer CEO Bill Unrue has been named president of Anonymizer, which will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Abraxas. In that role, he is expected to lead the development of identity-protection technologies that "enhance the traditional network-perimeter defenses of consumers, corporations and government agencies," according to Helms.