Small Businesses Prone to Malware Attacks, says BitDefender

Security research firm BitDefender has revealed that dangerous vectors that spread malware are exploring new modes to intrude the computer networks, as per the news published by Fresh Business Thinking on May 19, 2009.

According to the security firm, small business networks are barely prepared for malware-based online assaults, either the funding and IT expertise required for safeguarding the networks are not available, or are below standard.

Supporting its view point, BitDefender gave the illustration of Conficker worm that infiltrated millions of computer systems by using multiple propagation vectors such as forcing the weak administrator passwords, copying itself onto removable drives and Microsoft Windows RPC Service flaw.

Furthermore, the latest vector that is being used for infecting computer networks worldwide is "online scam". The security firm expressed that phishers fabricate spoof website which imitate legitimate sites and entities to steal users' log-in details or tricking them into downloading malicious applications onto their systems.

In this regard, BitDefender gives example of a phishing scam which targeted the users of the social networking site Facebook. In this scam which was recently discovered by the security experts, users faced two successive phishing assaults within just 24 hours. Nearly 200 Million Facebook users fell for this phishing scam.

According to the security firm, business networks may also get infected even on remaining disconnected from the Internet. This is possible in case an employee accesses Internet outside his office and his USB stick gets infected in the process. Thus, as he brings his infected USB stick to office, he introduces malware into the office network.

Moreover, vectors like phishing and malware distribution facilitate cyber criminals in capturing sensitive information easily and in a shorter duration of time. The information so revealed is either sold or used to launch more targeted attacks. WhenU, Trojan.Banker.LCG. and SaveNow are few such online threats.

Head of BitDefender Labs, Viorel Canja, stressed on the need to prioritize IT security to run any business safely without any cyber threat, as reported by Dynamic Business on May 19, 2009. In other words, IT security should not be overlooked as a waste investment.

Related article: Small Organizations Too Can Be Hackers’ Target

» SPAMfighter News - 5/30/2009