New Year, New Problems

Recent Internet security reports have informed the public as to what threats will be hitting the cyber world this coming year. FoxBusiness has recently released a report on behalf of CA, Inc. stating the newest privacy and Internet security threats for the coming year.

Online gamers, social networking, and major events (like Election '08 and the Olympics) better watch out and keep themselves protected, as these are said to be targets for online attacks.

The major causes for concern, according to CA and their expert advisers are:

1. Bots. "The number of computers infected by botnets will increase sharply," CA states. Bots are becoming much more of a risk in 2008 since they have to adapt to new technology every year and are becoming much harder to detect. This and the fact that they can be spread by peer-to-peer networking, mainly instant messaging, means a lot more of these bad boys will be around this year.

2. Advancements in malware. Malware has become increasingly smarter and more sophisticated. New techniques will allow malware to stay almost in plain sight without the infected computer (well the user of the computer) knowing they have a problem. Creators will be using increased levels of encryption and stenography to hide their activities.

3. Stealing gamers' information. Gamers are usually a prime target for online criminals since the computers used are usually built for high-end performance and not high-end security.

4. The increase in social networking. The dramatic increase in popularity equals more vulnerability. With the massive amount of people using social networking, cyber criminals can have a field day with the less than stellar security that these sites provide, and the sub-par security that the users themselves think they have.

5. Major events. The Presidential Elections as well as the Olympics could provide a fertile ground for cyber criminals. Web attacks or good ol' fashioned stealing of information seems to be the consensus of CA, Inc.

6. Web 2.0 attacks. The services are easy to implement but difficult to protect. Many sites using Web 2.0 are vulnerable to attack, while not showing any signs of compromise.

7. Risky Windows Vista. New computers are coming equipped with Windows Vista, meaning as people are buying new computers more versions of Vista will be targeted for attack. While Microsoft states that Vista is the most secure version of Windows ever made, CA found 20 vulnerabilities last year.

You have been warned...

Also, the article shows the trends for 2007, in case you were wondering.