Symantec Threat Report: Social Media & Mobile Devices Increasing Targets for Malware

If you are using Facebook and other social media sites, or if you are using a mobile device, you are among the key targets of malware (short for malicious software,) according to the latest Internet Security Threat Report published by anti-virus company Symantec.

"The Symantec Internet Security Threat Report is one of the most comprehensive sources of Internet threat data in the world. Symantec’s analysts have access to unparalleled sources of data with which to identify, analyze, and provide informed commentary on emerging trends in attacks, malicious code activity, phishing, and spam."

Wall Street Journal on-line has a good summary of the new Symantec report - here are some excerpts of the article written by Ben Rooney:
"The report draws attention to the increasing number of attacks against mobile devices, principally Android phones, although it notes that at the moment, the ability to cash in on attacks is more limited as consumers have yet to use their mobiles heavily for online banking and commerce."

"In another demonstration vulnerabilities in Facebook were highlighted. A simple Facebook app, easily built using Facebook's own APIs, allowed hackers to gain access to profile information even from accounts that were supposedly visible only to friends. The information would allow hackers to craft more targeted attacks against individuals, or just to sell on the information to others.  The app also allowed hackers to post links on other's accounts, encouraging them to install the app so propagating itself.

Both the mobile attack and social media attacks relied on users not paying attention to the permissions they were granting. Both Android and Facebook apps explicitly state what permissions they are granted, but many users pay no regard and simply click on regardless."

You can read the full WSJ Online article here: Mobile Devices And Social Networks Key Malware Targets

 

Here is a short video produced by Symantec with a summary of their Internet Security Threat Report #16

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