The Hindu Business Line : `30 PC virus outbreak incidences in 2004'

A Trend Micro study has revealed that as many as 30 virus outbreaks marked 2004, and the first quarter alerts numbering 12 in all, proved to be the highest ever reported in any given quarter in a three-year period range. The average outbreaks have only been hovering around 5 in any quarter, but during the first few months of 2004, the number inched close to 45 per cent.

BAGLE, NETSKY and MYDOOM dominated the outbreak scene, causing 25 of the total 30 virus outbreaksThe total number of infections recorded by the Trend Micro World Tracking Center (WTC) is said to be steadily growing year-on-year. In 2004, WTC recorded a total of 3.78 lakh infections, up by almost 8 per cent from 2003's 3.51 lakh recorded infections. The company documented a total of 16,880 malware detections in 2004. Trojans at 33 per cent of all malware comprised the bulk of detections. There were more than 5,000 Trojan detections.

The year also saw an increase in profit-driven attacks. Trend Micro documented a total of 2,830 bot programmes, which was more than 35 per cent of the newly discovered malware detections by the company for the entire year. Based on the general trend of malicious code and Internet-based attacks in 2004, Trend Micro anticipates newer and more effective methods of attack in 2005 to ensure greater reach, effectiveness and larger profits.

According to Trend Micro, blended threats, which could compromise and drain network resources considerably would continue to hound Internet users. With the foreseen increase in the usage of web traffic, redirection and spoofing techniques would require more stringent surfing policies. There would be a need for strengthening e-mail- filtering services, as spam and phishing would continue to cause e-mail glut.

And as the time between vulnerability, discovery and exploit release narrows down, there would be a need for proactive assessment tools.

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