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Story URL: http://software.silicon.com/security/0,39024655,39128556,00.htm

IM targeted by increased attacks
Virus writers flirting with new challenge

By Dan Ilett

Published: Thursday 10 March 2005

Reports of malware, spam and hacking attacks over instant-messaging (IM) services are up 50 per cent this year, according to figures released by security company IMLogic's threat centre this week.

IMLogic reported more than 30 new threats have emerged since 1 January, 2005 that target IM users, including viruses, worms, and spam over IM — often referred to as spim. IMLogic has issued 12 priority alerts to subscribers and customers in the last 30 days.

IMlogic's chief technology officer, Jon Sakoda, said: "IM viruses and worms are growing exponentially. Virus writers are now shifting the focus of their attack to instant messaging, which is seen as a largely unprotected channel into the enterprise."

The company found that 81 per cent of reported incidents included IM virus or worm propagation, of which 10 per cent were able to hijack file transfers. Thirteen per cent of incidents used known exploits, and 70 per cent targeted Microsoft's MSN service.

Yahoo followed behind with 18 per cent of reported incidents and AOL and ICQ shared the last 12 per cent.

The Kelvir, Bropia, and Bizex worms were reported as the top three most frequently detected IM infections in corporate environments.

Dan Ilett writes for ZDNet UK.