Webroot Report Details Growth and Severity of Worldwide Internet
Malware Threats
Over 40 Percent of All Businesses Are Suffering Disruptions Due to
Malware; Over 60 Percent Don’t Have an
Information Security Plan
BOULDER, Colo. (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) March 29, 2007 --
Webroot Software, Inc., a leading
provider of Internet security software for the consumer, enterprise and
SME markets, today unveiled a report to alert companies of all sizes to
the growth and increasing sophistication of malware. According to the Webroot
State of Internet Security report, 43 percent of companies surveyed
globally have suffered a business disruption due to malware. The report
also details the significant cost and legal implications of inadequate
protection and offers businesses best practices to thwart unnecessary
data security breaches.
According to the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI), the organized nature, rapid growth and severity
of cybercrime has moved it to their number three priority behind only
counter-terrorism and counter-intelligence. Webroot research, using its Phileas
automated spyware research system, has discovered that 1.7 percent (4.2
million) of 250 million URLs around the world harbor malware. Almost 3
million of those malicious sites were discovered in 2006 alone.
“Our research has shown that the methods of
infection, which just a short time ago were considered incredibly
advanced, are now commonplace, demonstrating how quickly today’s
threats are evolving into a global security concern,”
said Peter
Watkins, CEO, Webroot Software, Inc. “Despite
the growth and severity of malware, over 60 percent of businesses don’t
have an information security plan. Businesses need to control this
threat by adequately protecting themselves and their customers.”
According to Webroot’s study, over 40 percent
of the companies surveyed reported business losses from a variety of
spyware related issues. The most unsettling finding is that 26 percent
of enterprises reported that confidential information had been
compromised as a result of spyware. At the heart of this alarming trend
is the rate of spyware infection:
-
39 percent of companies reported Trojan horse attacks;
-
24 percent reported system monitor attacks; and,
-
20 percent reported pharming and keylogger attacks.
Despite this growing threat and the legal and regulatory compliance
measures in place, the latest Small
Business Technology Institute report has found that 20 percent of
all companies don’t even have adequate virus
protection, two-thirds did not have an information security plan, and
many only make a security decision after suffering a damaging
information security incident.
“It’s obvious from
this research that businesses worldwide are operating under a false
sense of security. Because of the impact on corporate revenues and
reputation that unprotected users can cause, proactive
security should be a top priority for every company,”
added Watkins. “To help support this effort,
the State of Internet Security report will also offer some basic
best-practices that companies can follow to help secure them against
malware and cybercrime.”
The State of Internet Security report is issued quarterly as an in–depth
review and analysis of the most pressing computer and data
security-related concerns. Each report focuses on a specific aspect of
information security, and provides industry data, trends and best
practices in light of the threat landscape.
The complete State of Internet Security report is available at www.webroot.com/soisreport.
ABOUT WEBROOT
Webroot Software, Inc. provides industry leading security software for
consumers, enterprises and small and medium-sized businesses worldwide.
Globally recognized for its award-winning Spy Sweeper®
line of anti-spyware products, Webroot recently incorporated anti-virus
protection into two new products for consumers and SMBs, respectively:
Spy Sweeper® with AntiVirus and Webroot®
SME Security. The company also recently expanded into the parental
controls software market with the introduction of Webroot®
Child Safe®. The Boulder, Colorado based
company is privately held and backed by some of the industry's leading
venture capital firms, including Technology Crossover Ventures, Accel
Partners and Mayfield. Webroot's software consistently receives top
review ratings by respected third-party media and has been adopted by
millions globally. Available as either branded solutions or on an OEM
basis, Webroot products can be found at www.webroot.com
and on the shelves of leading retailers worldwide. To find out more
about Webroot, visit the website or call 1-800-772-9383.
©2003-2007, Webroot Software, Inc. All rights
reserved. Webroot and Spy Sweeper are registered trademarks or
trademarks of Webroot Software, Inc. All other trademarks are properties
of their respective owners.
See the original story at: http://eon.businesswire.com/releases/webroot/security/prweb514975.htm
Post Comment: Trackback URL: http://www.prweb.com/pingpr.php/UHJvZi1Mb3ZlLUhvcnItRmFsdS1NYWduLVplcm8=
Bookmark -
Del.icio.us |
Furl It |
Technorati |
Ask |
MyWeb |
Propeller |
Live Bookmarks |
Newsvine |
TailRank |
Reddit |
Slashdot |
Digg |
Stumbleupon |
Google Bookmarks |
Sphere |
Blink It |
Spurl
|