A leading UK security company has raised alarms about the potential risks posed to non-Microsoft operating systems, suggesting that they are vulnerable to attacks. Over 100 dangerous viruses are “rampaging” in unprotected environments, posing unpredictable threats.
Statistics from Sophos indicate that they have identified a total of 120,000 viruses, including 50 that specifically target and spread on Mac systems, and around 100 viruses on UNIX platforms. Some of the most dangerous viruses include Linux/Mare-A, which emerged in December 2005, spreading through a vulnerability in PHP scripts, and OSX/Leap-A, the first malware on Mac OSX, discovered in February 2006.
The leading UK security firm believes that people are too focused on combating viruses in Windows environments and are neglecting “the rest of the world.” Although these malicious software programs make up only 0.2% of harmful software, they spread in environments where security is not prioritized, and the owners of these systems tend to be complacent.
It is certain that both Mac and UNIX/Linux are becoming increasingly popular. Apple saw a sales growth of 48% in Q3 2005. Market analysis firm Gartner predicts that Linux will experience the strongest growth rate in the next five years. Furthermore, it is common to find a UNIX server connected to a large Windows network. Even in corporate networks assumed to be free of Windows, some Windows machines are still connected. This poses a real risk, as protecting all computers in the network is crucial, whether the connection is genuine or virtual. Essentially, a virus or worm is just a file that can be transferred to other computers through various means such as CDs, DVDs, USB drives, emails, the Internet, or instant messaging. The trend of combining programming objects to create viruses, send spam, steal personal information, accounts, or conduct business is growing increasingly common.
Sophos has announced its commitment to develop solutions for areas beyond Windows. Unlike antivirus products from TrendMicro or Symantec, which dominate the personal user market, Sophos primarily focuses on comprehensive system protection. The main clients of this security firm include businesses, banks, government entities, and educational institutions.
Ha Thao
