Symantec has been awarded funding by the European Commission that it will use for research into internet threats.

The money will fund a collaborative search project, dubbed Wombat, or the Worldwide Observatory of Malicious Behaviours and Attack Threats, which will last three years. Symantec said that its new research lab in France would work with the consortium, providing it with access to its global scanning network, and in the development of new systems to fight, detect and analyse web-borne attacks.

“Symantec is honoured to continue its world-leading research efforts with the European community and leverage the unique expertise of its highly skilled and respected talent base,” said Brian Witten, senior director of Government Research, Symantec. “The combined efforts of our new Symantec Research Lab and European Commission project will help provide businesses and consumers the information and tools they need for greater confidence online.”