IE exploits top web security threat list

Another attack of the browser blues

Internet Explorer exploits posed the fastest growing web security threat to enterprises in the last quarter, according to web security services firm ScanSafe. The top exploit (Exploit.HTML.Mht) was used to attack twice as many businesses as any other web security threat in Q2 2004.

While Trojans and worms remain the most significant type of threat, exploits, which accounted for 19 per cent of all attacks recorded by ScanSafe, are growing in prevalence. ScanSafe reckons the many vulnerabilities recently exposed in popular web browsers, such as runaway market leader Internet Explorer, are creating a ready mechanism for crackers to compromise systems simply by conning users into visiting websites hosting malicious content.

"ScanSafe forecasts exploits driven by browser vulnerabilities will become an increased threat to enterprises," said John Edwards, technical director, ScanSafe. "As vulnerabilities continue to emerge in Microsoft Internet Explorer and other browsers, and administrators struggle to update patches, attackers will be quick to take advantage."

Webmail pages remain high risk with 10 per cent of all web attacks monitored by ScanSafe occurring on these sites. Spyware accounted for 12 per cent of all monitored attacks, a continued increase in activity on previous quarters. These sneaky applications secretly monitor a user's online activities and may transmit confidential data to third parties.

London-based security outfit ScanSafe markets a net-based filtering service designed to counter web-borne viruses and malicious code. ScanSafe scans for all web viruses by integrating anti-virus engines from three leading AV vendors with its own proprietary internet-level detection technology, Outbreak Intelligence. The idea is similar to that pioneered by MessageLabs but applied to HTTP traffic instead of email. ®

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