Web Browser Based Attacks To Grow In -07

According to a report developed by the IBM Internet Security Systems (ISS) X-Force research and development team, enterprises worldwide will experience more profit-motivated cyber attacks, including an increase in Web browser based and image-based spam attacks in 2007.

There were 7,247 new vulnerabilities recorded and analyzed by the X-Force team in 2006, which represented an increase of roughly 40% over 2005. Close to 88% of all the 2006 vulnerabilities could be exploited remotely, and over 50% allowed attackers to gain access to a machine after exploitation.

The report specifies that these numbers would only grow in 2007 and hence enterprises will require higher levels of vigilance and innovation to deal with emerging threats.

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The sale of exploit material is increasingly taking the shape of the channel sales model used by legitimate corporate entities. As a result, attacks on Web browsers are expected to rise in 2007.

X-Force has also predicted continued sophistication of image-based spam techniques this year. It said that in 2007, new forms of image-based spam will be developed to evade protection solutions that have been created to combat early forms of image-based spam.

In 2007, IBM researchers also expect to see a continued rise in the total number of vulnerabilities, largely due to the release of new operating systems.