While these shields won't need dilithium crystals they will eventually help you on your continuing voyages through the Internet.

The idea behind this project seems to be to protect the browser (and thus the user) by ensuring that 'bad' content never actually reaches a point where it can interact with the system. It seems to operate at a layer between the firewall (blocking network access unless on certain ports or from certain remote end-points) and an anti-virus package which tries to recognise and block payload delivery.

The aim with BrowserShield is to be able to examine the incoming stream of data and interpret it - as JavaScript, images, executables etc - and before it ever gets to a place where it could do damage render it harmless. It will receive regular updates to its rules so it knows what it's looking out for - and hopefully the nature of how it works means that it will help to prevent the prevalence of zero day attacks.

It's going to be good to see things like this working with the existing Microsoft OneCare, Internet Explorer anti-phishing filter as well as solutions such as the OpenDNS project and similar efforts to help you steer clear of bad sites in the first place.... it's another weapon for the good-guys in the arms race that's making the Internet a very ugly place.