Sophos Security Threat Report 2010

While a variety of new security threats have emerged in the past year, one thing is certain: malware attacks are broadening and becoming more evasive.

• - Spam and malware attacks via social networks rose 70% in 2009
• - SEO is fast becoming the dominant method to spread malware on the web
• - SophosLabs examined 50,000 new malware samples every day in 2009

Read Security Threat Report: 2010
The first decade of the 21st century saw a dramatic change in the nature of cybercrime. Once the province of teenage boys spreading graffiti for kicks and notoriety, hackers today are organized, financially motivated gangs.

In the past, virus writers displayed offensive images and bragged about the malware they had written, now hackers target companies to steal intellectual property, build complex networks of compromised PCs and rob individuals of their identities.
2009 saw Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites solidify their position at the heart of many users’ daily internet activities, and saw these websites become a primary target for hackers. Because of this, social networks have become one of the most significant vectors for data loss and identity theft.
New computing platforms also emerged last year, and shortly thereafter fell victim to cybercriminal activities. What was lost was once again found in 2009, as old hacking techniques re-emerged as means to penetrate data protection.
By understanding the problems that have arisen in the past, perhaps internet users can craft themselves a better, safer future.


How can you safeguard your business in 2010?
Download the latest Sophos Security Threat Report to learn about the security threat trends in 2009 and countermeasures to keep these threats at bay.

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