2009’s Most Persistent Malware Threats

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Enterprises are raring to harness the benefits of the Internet’s connectivity and infrastructure for both core operations and support activities. The generally positive response toward moving into the cloud, the increase in the use of social networking platforms for business, and the continuous move toward a mobile and interconnected workforce gained momentum in 2009.

The risks of conducting business with the use of the Internet became readily apparent as well. According to reports, 18 percent of the respondents to the “Computer, Crime, and Security Survey” that reported security incidents in 2009 also experienced at least one targeted malware attack.

A separate study, the Ponemon/PGP report as reported by CNET News on the cost of a data breach due to criminal activity pegs loss to business at US$215 per stolen record. Remarkably, the “criminal activities” in this report now include data-stealing malware and botnets. In fact, more of these attacks have been reported in 2009 than ever before. A review of the TrendLabs Malware Blog entries in 2009 likewise calls attention to recurring themes in the security challenge for users and businesses alike. Cybercriminal organizations work hard to use old and new online platforms to trick even the more tech-savvy users into following a malicious link or into opening a malicious file. In the more insidious kinds of attack that will be discussed later (i.e., a network worm named DOWNAD), almost no user interaction is required for an attack to spread throughout a system of interconnected computers.

In this report, TrendLabs, Trend Micro’s research lab, discusses 2009’s most persistent threats and presents why users need to be more engaged in keeping their systems secure than ever before. These five most recurring and ever-present threats effectively challenge even the more tech-savvy businesses who encounter them either through lack of network security or of education and appreciation of the severity of threats on the part of employees. At the end of each discussion, a list of security dos are recommended for large enterprises and smaller businesses alike.

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2010 Threat Update and Predictions Video

Trend Micro offers a recap of 2009’s threats and predictions for the year ahead. Raimund Genes, Trend Micro CTO, gives technical explanation of his insights.

20-Million Forms of Malware With a New Threat Created Every 2 Seconds

The danger sounds daunting—even overwhelming. But the answers are out there and core technology expert Jon Clay has them in a series of videos explaining how Trend Micro’s Smart Protection Network overcomes attacks. These short videos are eye-opening and easy-to-understand, offering a sweeping overview without a lot of “tech speak.”

» Watch how-it-works video series

Windows7 now Supported by SecureMe2

After many customer requests, SecureMe2 services based on Trend Micro OfficeScan now supports Windows 7 both 32bit and 64bit versions. Installation for all Windows platforms is exactly the same, simply create a SecureMe2 account and either select ‘30 day trial’ or purchase licenses and select install.

SecureMe2 services based on Trend Micro OfficeScan seamlessly integrates with Windows Security Centre and will provide SecureMe2 customers the best possible PC security.

In summary, SecureMe2 uses Trend Micro OfficeScan supports Windows 7 (32bit and 64bit), Windows Vista (32bit and 64bit), XP, Server 2003 and Server 2008 (32bit and 64bit). OfficeScan also supports client installation on guest Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/Windows 7 operating systems hosted on virtualisation applications such as VMware and Microsoft Virtual Server.

The antivirus technology doesn’t support Mac computers