Social Network Related Phishing and Malware Attacks on the Rise

According to the news published in The Washington Post on November 4, 2009, phishing scams attacking people on social-networking websites like Facebook and Twitter now hardly make a distinction between conventional phishing e-mail assaults and those that load information-stealing malware on the victims' computers.

A survey report issued in October 2009 discovered that slightly over half of American businesses (54%) made it a rule for employees not to use social-networking websites. In fact, the report refers to the impact of such websites on workers productivity, but more and more companies are adjusting to the risks emanating from these websites that install malicious software on corporate networks, stated Rohyt Belani, Chief Executive of Intrepidus Group, a New York-based security consulting organization.

Belani said that whenever users follow web-links embedded in fraudulent e-mails, they might be led to malware ridden websites or simply routine phishing sites. This compels organizations to train their staff so that corporate networks remain protected, the CEO said.

With social-networking websites such as Twitter and Facebook becoming increasingly popular, malicious hackers are constantly finding methods to victimize numerous visitors coming on these sites so that they can plant malware on their PCs.

According to security specialists, when employees surf on social-networking sites, their attention may be diverted from more important issues forcing certain organizations to restrict access. Despite the constant fear of infection, these sites could be a useful business tools for some jobs. This point clarifies from the fact that one in 5 organizations permits their (social networking websites) use to fulfill work-related objectives, the experts contended.

Meanwhile, PC security specialists say that the phishing campaign against Facebook is progressively becoming widespread.

Additionally, another survey report released during the 2009 summer too indicated that surfing on social networks at work could reduce productivity. IT research firm 'Nucleus Research' reported during July 2009 that organizations, which permitted their employees to access Facebook during work hours normally suffered a 1.5% drop in productivity. Furthermore, the survey, which included 237 corporate workers, revealed that 77% of employees having an account with Facebook utilized it when performing business tasks.

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» SPAMfighter News - 11/18/2009