WatchGuard Released Report on Security Trends in 2009

Online security company WatchGuard Technologies has published a new report that discusses the five most serious security trends likely to emerge in 2009. According to it, Web security would continue to be a headache for IT professionals throughout the year.

From the five greatest security concerns, Web related-risks would be the foremost of all. Security experts said that gambling, porn and other malicious websites would no longer be the usual hangouts for spyware, malware and other hostile applications, rather end-users would encounter new dangers from regular websites and trusted domains, as they become corrupted with SQL injections to serve up drive-by downloads.

Automatic attacks would also be generated on the web, affecting vulnerable and exposed systems.

Secondly, according to the report, threats of HTTPS and SSL attacks would grow in number in 2009. As computer networks become more adept at stopping external malware and attacks, cyber criminals would become even more sophisticated in installing malicious payloads into the network.

Moreover, cyber attacks through social networking would remain a prominent threat this year, the report states. These websites would evolve as new bases for initiating web-borne attacks because they would be used for launching new tricks or scams designed to steal victims' personal data.

Furthermore, botnets would continue to be another major problem in 2009, as they become more sophisticated in their attack techniques. 2008 was described as the year of botnets and bot-herders would build new botnets. These botnets will display unprecedented surprise and sophistication, with the goal of achieving quality botnets rather than quantity.

The report also said that important amendments to identity protection and security laws together with tough industry regulations like PCI DSS are predicted for 2009. In addition, new legislation would be enforced as a result of fresh lawsuits related to malicious applications, data leakage, Internet privacy and unauthorized use of computers and other IT resources.

ANZ Regional Director for WatchGuard Technologies, Scott Robertson, said that criminals are least bothered of anyone's cut in 2009 IT budget. They are concerned of how to steal people's data, as reported by ITNews on January 28, 2009.

Related article: WatchGuard Forecasts APTs’ Bigger Impact on SMBs and Individuals During 2012

» SPAMfighter News - 2/13/2009