Cyber Attacks via IM and P2P Increase by 700%

The number of attacks via instant messaging (IM) systems and peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing networks has significantly increased since late 2005.

This is the conclusion drawn by a security firm on April 10.

Alongside a strong rise in quantity, the “quality” of these attacks has also become increasingly complex. The methods of attack are becoming more dangerous, intricate, and unpredictable.

Statistics from FaceTime Communications indicate that the number of malware attacks through IM systems and P2P sharing networks in the first quarter of 2006 rose by over 700% compared to the fourth quarter of 2005.

Although the number of targeted attack threats through public IM networks like Yahoo, MSN, and AOL remained relatively stable compared to the last three months of 2005, the complexity of these attacks has increased significantly.

Additionally, the number of simultaneous attacks launched across various networks has reached levels higher than ever before. FaceTime refers to this as “multichannel propagation”—attacks simultaneously targeting both IM and P2P systems—have increased 23 times compared to normal levels over the past year.

“The number of multichannel P2P and IM threats is evidence of the need for a clearer direction in managing these threats,” said Tyler Wells, the research director of FaceTime.

Attacks on IM networks in early 2006 were not as significant as during the same period in 2005, accounting for only 5% of total attacks, compared to 16% in 2005. AOL was the most attacked instant messaging network.

Hoàng Dũng