Communications tools hit by security breaches

roundup Even as users struggle to cope with the onslaught of traditional PC viruses, new threats continue to emerge and grow.

E-mail, instant messaging (IM) and cellular phones are now the new platforms and targets of malicious hackers. Viruses spread easily and quickly via these popular corporate communications tools, where an increasing number of employees are falling prey to phishing and spamming attacks.

The Asia-Pacific region has sprung into action, in a bid to stop the problem from escalating, with 12 communications and Internet agencies signing a memorandum of understanding to work together to fight spam. Find out more about this initiative and other industry developments below.

Study: IM and P2P pests on the rise
Security vendor Akonix Systems tracked 51 new IM and peer-to-peer threats in May, more than half the total it recorded for the first quarter of 2005.
June 9, 2005

Phishers going after small fry
Online fraud scams are increasingly turning their sights to credit unions, according to a new report.
June 6, 2005

Group pools data to trap phishers
The Anti-Phishing Working Group is building a central clearinghouse of info on online fraud scams to improve defenses and nab crooks.
June 2, 2005

Phishers get personal
Spammers and phishers are learning more about potential victims to better hone their attacks.
May 30, 2005

Expert: Cell phone virus threat is overblown
A company that handles support for major mobile operators has hit back at Symantec research that suggested people are wising up to a growing threat of cell phone viruses.
May 6, 2005

The risks of unmanaged e-mail
One in five U.S. companies has had employee e-mail subpoenaed in the course of a lawsuit or regulatory investigation. Read what one e-mail risk expert has to say.
May 5, 2005