Dramatic increase in phishing
30/04/2008 19:13:17
Phishing attacks now account for over two-thirds of all malware and their number have increased for the second month running, according to new figures.
Research by IT security firm Network Box has indicated that phishing attacks made up 24 per cent of all malware in February. This rose to 48 per cent in March and now stands at 67 per cent, reports IT backbones.
Simon Heron, internet security analyst at Network Box, told the technology news provider that this type of attack is so common because it is relatively easy to put together.
"We will see more phishing with an increasing percentage in the form of Spear phishing, which is targeted phishing and Whaling, ie targeting big fish like chief executives," he added.
Mr Heron went on to say that IT departments will have to make sure they keep up with the latest trends in e-crime in an attempt to stay on top of their IT security needs.
Earlier this month IT security firm Norman Data Defence Systems identified a spear phishing attack targeting chief executives worldwide whereby they received a series of false subpoenas encouraging them to install a fake plug-in carrying a Trojan.
