Researchers Chart Sizable IM Threat Growth
The new trend among hackers is instant messaging attacks, according to a recent Postini report which shows that IM threats increased by nearly 25 percent during April 2006, compared with similar threats it found in March. Security threats targeted at IM systems, file-sharing tools, and real-time technology increased by just under 1,700 percent to 2,400 attacks last year, compared with the previous year, according to Postini. Some IM attacks that were found include the IMFlood and JahuKit attacks, as well as worm viruses such as YahooSpy, Mpass, and MSNFake threats. "Unfortunately the hackers are out in front of the good guys in terms of recognizing that IM is a very palatable way to attack desktops," says Postini's Andrew Lochart. "Since the hackers have perfected their craft in email, in terms of what the payload does when it gets to a victim's computer, we're seeing every variation of virus being delivered over IM, from rootkits to keystroke loggers and worms." Lochart says U.S. business are the most at risk because IM is being used more in the workplace. Postini found that 90 percent of IM attacks last year were worms, followed by viruses at 9 percent, and 1 percent for known client vulnerabilities or exploits.
© Copyright 2006 INFORMATION, INC.
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