http://arstechnica.com/security/new...ncrease-in-p2p-attacks-predicted-for-2010.ars
Cybercriminals have already begun shifting their focus from websites to file-sharing networks when it comes to dispensing malware, and will continue with this trend throughout 2010. Security researchers at Kaspersky Labs predict that malicious applications, such as fake antivirus programs, will be on the decline next year as attacks over P2P go up, while more criminals look to target victims via mobile platforms.
In its 2010 Cyberthreat Forecast, Kaspersky Lab said that it expects an increase in mass malware epidemics over P2P networks. 2009 saw a series of mass malware epidemics that were not caused by, but supported by files that were spread over P2P networks. "This method has been used to spread notorious threats such as TDSS and Virut as well as the first backdoor for Mac OS X," the researchers said.
On the same note, Kaspersky says that there was a decline in gaming Trojans in 2009 and that it expects the same trend for fake antivirus programs in 2010. Not only have malicious programs become passé and are monitored by nearly every IT organization, the market is now saturated and "profits for cybercriminals have fallen." Malicious software authors have apparently realized that it's time to move onto greener pastures as more and more consumers become educated about safe software practices.
Finally, the researchers noted that an increase in cyberattacks on mobile platforms this year foreshadowed a growing trend for 2010. Both iPhone OS and Android saw a handful of worms in 2009â€â€some malicious and some notâ€â€and more than one security firm agrees that this could just be the beginning. "The only iPhone users currently at risk are those with compromised devices; however the same is not true for Android users who are all vulnerable to attack," wrote Kaspersky. Because both these platforms only continue to grow in popularity, these worms will only multiply as more users shift their focus from computers to smartphones.
The upside to all of these developments is that we may finally see the beginning of the end when it comes to malicious celebrity websites. Paris Hilton, Brad Pitt, Jessica Biel, Angelina Jolie, Michael Jackson, and numerous others have all been used to drive unwitting users to the dark corners of the Internetâ€â€while these sites may never go away entirely, it will be nice not having to help family members disinfect their computers after they get a little too excited searching for Justin Timberlake.
Cybercriminals have already begun shifting their focus from websites to file-sharing networks when it comes to dispensing malware, and will continue with this trend throughout 2010. Security researchers at Kaspersky Labs predict that malicious applications, such as fake antivirus programs, will be on the decline next year as attacks over P2P go up, while more criminals look to target victims via mobile platforms.
In its 2010 Cyberthreat Forecast, Kaspersky Lab said that it expects an increase in mass malware epidemics over P2P networks. 2009 saw a series of mass malware epidemics that were not caused by, but supported by files that were spread over P2P networks. "This method has been used to spread notorious threats such as TDSS and Virut as well as the first backdoor for Mac OS X," the researchers said.
On the same note, Kaspersky says that there was a decline in gaming Trojans in 2009 and that it expects the same trend for fake antivirus programs in 2010. Not only have malicious programs become passé and are monitored by nearly every IT organization, the market is now saturated and "profits for cybercriminals have fallen." Malicious software authors have apparently realized that it's time to move onto greener pastures as more and more consumers become educated about safe software practices.
Finally, the researchers noted that an increase in cyberattacks on mobile platforms this year foreshadowed a growing trend for 2010. Both iPhone OS and Android saw a handful of worms in 2009â€â€some malicious and some notâ€â€and more than one security firm agrees that this could just be the beginning. "The only iPhone users currently at risk are those with compromised devices; however the same is not true for Android users who are all vulnerable to attack," wrote Kaspersky. Because both these platforms only continue to grow in popularity, these worms will only multiply as more users shift their focus from computers to smartphones.
The upside to all of these developments is that we may finally see the beginning of the end when it comes to malicious celebrity websites. Paris Hilton, Brad Pitt, Jessica Biel, Angelina Jolie, Michael Jackson, and numerous others have all been used to drive unwitting users to the dark corners of the Internetâ€â€while these sites may never go away entirely, it will be nice not having to help family members disinfect their computers after they get a little too excited searching for Justin Timberlake.
