ScanSafe reports spyware skyrockets.ScanSafe has issued its Annual Global Threat Report based on an analysis of more than 60 billion Web requests processed in 2006 by the ScanSafe Threat Centre in more than 30 countries across five continents. It represents the world's largest security analysis of real-world Web traffic. In 2006, ScanSafe blocked 254 per cent more instances of spyware Software that sends information about your Web surfing habits to its Web site. Often quickly installed in your computer in combination with a free download you selected from the Web, spyware transmits information in the background as you move around the Web. and saw 32 per cent fewer Web viruses than it did in 2005. However, the number of new unique Web viruses continues to grow and mutate mu·tate intr. & tr.v. mu·tat·ed, mu·tat·ing, mu·tates To undergo or cause to undergo mutation. [Latin m to pose new threats. "Not only did we see relentless growth in spyware throughout the year, but we saw that it is increasingly harbouring more sinister payloads," said ScanSafe. "We also noticed a trend towards Web viruses being used to spread spyware. The net result is that the line between spyware and Web viruses has become so blurred blur v. blurred, blur·ring, blurs v.tr. 1. To make indistinct and hazy in outline or appearance; obscure. 2. To smear or stain; smudge. 3. that malware (MALicious softWARE) Software designed to destroy, aggravate and otherwise make life unhappy. See crimeware, virus, worm, logic bomb, macro virus and Trojan. is the only appropriate term to describe the ever Increasing permutations of Web-based threats." Web 2.0 sites are increasingly being targeted by malware authors. For example, up to one in 600 pages on social networking sites A Web site that provides a virtual community for people interested in a particular subject or just to "hang out" together. Members create their own online "profile" with biographical data, pictures, likes, dislikes and any other information they choose to post. harbours malware. The growing popularity of many Web 2.0 sites makes them a rich target. In addition, many Web 2.0 applications raise the importance of the integrity of the browser browser Software that allows a computer user to find and view information on the Internet. The first text-based browser for the World Wide Web became available in 1991; Web use expanded rapidly after the release in 1993 of a browser called Mosaic, which used , as the functionality it provides becomes more critical. In 2006 ScanSafe saw an increasing number of exploits specifically attacking the browser. "In 2006 more than any previous year, the Web became ground-zero for criminal malware attacks," added ScanSafe. "The nature and types of threats are proliferating Proliferating is the multiplication of a certain thing. Often it is used as a biological term to describe the increase of cells due to cell division. Look under proliferate or proliferation for more details. so quickly and becoming so sophisticated that the Web has become one of the fastest growing threat vectors. The key lesson is that you cannot simply rely on periodically updated databases of suspect URLs or anti-virus engines alone to protect your network from Web threats." By scanning all content seen across its network in real-time, profiling the characteristics and behaviour of the code, building intelligence that is shared across the global ScanSafe network, and checking against leading signature-based systems--ScanSafe can offer a superior level of threat protection. To obtain a full copy of the ScanSafe Annual Global Threat Report, please visit www.scansafe.com. |
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