Kaspersky Releases E-threat Forecasts for 2010

Security company 'Kaspersky Lab' in its recently released report "2010 Cyber-threat Forecast" predicts six trends that will prominently emerge on the security landscape during 2010.

According to the first, there'll be a rise in attacks using file-sharing P2P networks. This trend will reflect a methodology shift in executing attacks. Attacks will not be launched through websites, but via the channel of P2P networks.

Second, Kaspersky forecasts a rise in bulk malicious programs through P2P networks. Here, the company recalls the method through which Virut and TDSS attacked systems worldwide in 2009. Now it foresees the exploitation of the same medium even more.

2010 will see an intense competition among cyber criminals to attract traffic. Notably, the cyber crime world always attempts to put the garb of legal appearance so as to leverage the numerous methods for monetizing botnet-created traffic.

Kaspersky predicts that there will be an emergence of several grey schemes within the market of botnet services. Appearing as compact schemes, these plans will help botnet-operators to churn revenue from multiple activities in grey areas, like spamming, distributing malware, or launching DOS attacks without committing an overt offense.

Fourthly, Kaspersky predicts that antivirus programs, like the Conficker virus, will decline. According to the report, the market for phony anti-viruses has reached the optimum point from where more malicious profits could not be made.

Fifth, Kaspersky states that in 2010, Google Wave will be a possible attack target. Since the program is new and untested, it is vulnerable. The pattern for attack against this Google service will be usual i.e. sending spam, executing phishing attacks, and finally exploiting security flaws and disseminating malware.

Sixth, there could be significant attacks on mobile devices such as Android and iPhone in 2010. During 2009, some mobile devices oriented malware already appeared in the cyber world. While this risk currently looms only on users of infected iPhone, cyber criminals are merely scrutinizing Android users.

Additionally, Roel Schouwenberg, Senior malware Researcher at Kaspersky, projected third-party vulnerability exploits, especially for Adobe products, and Blackhat SEO manipulation as the future threats for 2010, as reported by ITwire on December 22, 2009.

Related article: Kaspersky Released Malware Statistics for September 2008

» SPAMfighter News - 1/6/2010