Newly-added viruses in 2010 reached 7.5 million, down 56 percent year on year, but new phishing websites amounted to 1.75 million, 12 times as much as the same period of last year, according to a report released by an information security vendor.
Beijing Rising International Software Co. issued its 2010 security report on Thursday. It says more than 44 million cheating cases were conducted through phishing websites in 2010, causing indirect losses of more than 20 billion yuan.
The illegal Internet industry is developing toward specialization. Industrialization, new viruses and the economic interests of hackers have become increasingly intertwined, said Wang Zhantao, an expert from Rising company.
In 2010, the main focus of Trojans has gradually shifted from virtual property, such as online games and QQ, to online banking and payment accounts. In addition, there was a sharp increase in the number of phishing websites, Wang said.
The growing illegal industry also poses a threat to e-commerce. It is estimated that hackers defrauded consumers of up to 500 million yuan through online advertising and malicious shopping in 2010.
Meanwhile, viruses pose larger hazards to online transactions and can damage the links between almost all online banking and third-party payments. Furthermore, the stealing success rate is very high, and it is difficult to trace after the crimes.
Wang said the rapid popularization of smart phones and tablet PCs has provided more chances for phishing websites and Trojans, and it has brought greater challenges to information security vendors.
By Liang Jun, People’s Daily Online
Article source: http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90882/7261492.html
Category: Email/Phishing Alerts Scams