The number of viruses and malware such as Browaf, Tilebot, and Khoobe distributed through instant messaging systems has reached a record high in May. This indicates that hackers are viewing instant messaging (IM) as an effective avenue for taking control of users’ computers.
The American company Postini, specializing in integrated messaging management tools, reports that IM traffic has increased by 138% over the past 30 days, while the number of attacks has surged fivefold.
“This statistic shows that companies are recognizing IM as a primary communication tool in the business environment,” stated Andrew Lochart, Postini’s Market Director. “However, hackers are well aware that most organizations are not equipped with protective software to counteract threats disseminated through IM.”
Despite this, Lochart also warned that instant messaging still represents a small fraction of the total exploitation incidents compared to email. Therefore, companies need to secure their systems “on both fronts.” Postini noted that over 25 billion emails were sent globally last month, with a staggering 86% containing malicious software.
T.N.
