Computer-based threats to confidential information are rising, said a report from software maker Symantec, according to news reports. The financial services sector experienced the highest ratio of severe attacks, with 16 out of 10,000 security events. The US continues to be the top attack source country.
The twice-yearly “Internet Security Threat” report outlined trends in Internet attacks, vulnerabilities, malicious code activity, and additional security risks between July 1 and Dec. 31, 2004.
During the period, malicious code created to expose confidential information accounted for 54% of the top 50 malicious code samples received by the company,
This was up from 44 % in the first six months of the year and 36 % in the second half of 2003. This is partially owing to the proliferation of Trojan Horses, which represented 33% of the top 50 malicious codes, reported to Symantec.
The report also highlighted the phenomenon of phishing, where fraudulent Web sites pose as legitimate ones in order to steal confidential information such as passwords, credit card numbers, and other financial information.
By the end of Dec. 2004, the company
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