Social networking threat continues to increase
A report by security firm Sophos has revealed a substantial increase in attacks on social network sites. The report consists of a survey the company sent out to over 500 organizations.
The report highlighted focused attacks on social networking sites over the last 12 months including spam and malware. 57% of users report they have been spammed via social networking sites, a rise of 70.6% from last year. 36% reveal they have been sent malware via social networking sites, a rise of 69.8% from last year
“Computer users are spending more time on social networks, sharing sensitive and valuable personal information, and hackers have sniffed out where the money is to be made,” said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant, Sophos. “The dramatic rise in attacks in the last year tells us that social networks and their millions of users have to do more to protect themselves from organized cybercrime, or risk falling prey to identity theft schemes, scams, and malware attacks.”
72% of firms concerned about employee use of social networking sites
Sophos surveyed over 500 organizations, and discovered that 72% are concerned that employee behavior on social networking sites exposes their businesses to danger, and puts corporate infrastructure at risk.
The survey is just one part of Sophos’s 2010 Security Threat Report, which explores current and emerging computer security trends. It reveals that criminals identify potential victims on social networks, and then attack them, both at home and at work. In Sophos’s opinion, many Web 2.0 sites are concentrating too much on growing their market share at the expense of properly defending their existing users from internet threats.
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