ScanSafe, a provider of SaaS Web security, this week issued its Annual Global Threat Report.
The report is based on an analysis of more than 240 billion Web requests processed in 2008 by the ScanSafe Threat Center on behalf of the company’s corporate customers in more than 80 countries. It represents the world’s largest security analysis of real-time traffic.
The report reveals that there has been an explosive growth in malware throughout 2008. ScanSafe noted that there has been an overwhelming 582 percent growth between like quarters in 2007 and 2008 and a 300 percent volume ratio increase from January 2008 through December 2008. Exploits and iframes were up 1731 percent in 2008, while data-theft Trojans increased 1559 percent.
“We saw a continued acceleration of Web-delivered malware in 2008, reaching significant peaks in both October and November. The numbers are staggering,” said Mary Landesman, senior security researcher, ScanSafe. “There is a high correlation of increased online crime with the decline in the global economy. It could be that the increasing levels of job loss and uncertainty are fueling the surge in criminal activity. It is also likely that cyber crime is proving to be a viable business opportunity in a climate where legitimate opportunities are becoming increasingly more limited.”
Other key findings from the report include:
– The Web is now a massive front for data harvesting
Cyber criminals in 2008 have shown a change of intent and are now focused on the ongoing targeting and harvesting of sensitive data. Most of the malware delivered through the Web provides remote customization and configurability, enabling criminal attackers to target specific data and to remotely manage how that data is obtained. For home users, gaming credentials or credit card numbers could be at risk. For enterprises, there is the possibility of intellectual…