Internet Users Advised to Take Precaution Against Malware

An expert at Sophos, an Internet security company, has cautioned online users to remain alert of malicious software. According to him, all PC operators must ensure that the antivirus program on their systems is properly updated since rising numbers of e-threats are being created everyday.

The firm in a warning said that business owners and self-employed individuals were in danger from nearly 40,000 malware samples. A large number of these samples spread through social-networking sites.

Graham Cluley, Senior Technology Consultant at Sophos, said that it was important to have an updated antivirus, and by that, he meant that the software was updated not weekly or daily, but on an hourly basis behind the screen, as reported by BROOKSON on August 26, 2009.

Cluley added that a Sophos study discovered that about 33% of social-networking sites users had received spam, while 20% had been infected by malware.

In addition, Cluley elaborated that consumers were hit by the recession in nearly all spheres of their lives, with Web generated threats in plenty sparing no opportunity. Hence, keeping oneself safe and secured comprised the two vital concerns for broadband users.

Security specialists elaborated that hackers were increasingly using Trojan horses, as they were characterized with financial motive and had the capability of reaping large sums of money for online criminals. The experts noted that unlike conventional viruses, Trojan horses were not just replicated malware.

They further said that many users might not know that viruses existed on their systems, implying that they were capable of contaminating their colleagues as well as other contacts. Thus, they advised users to spend on an updated firewall, antivirus software and the most recent software patches for remaining safe along with averting hackers' attacks.

They also elaborated that more and more criminals, over the recent years, had realized that it was easy to make money by exploiting the Internet. Besides, a related PandaLabs report indicated that there was a 600% increase in the total number of PCs contaminated with malware in 2009 over 2008.

Related article: Internet Threat Volumes Overwhelm Security Companies

» SPAMfighter News - 9/17/2009