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5 security threats to watch in 2010

Kevin Kwang ZDNet Asia | December 2, 2009 4:47 AM PST

Summary

Everyday Internet users will be a key target for cybercriminals looking to get people to download their malware, while the proliferation of social sites will lead to an increase of possible fraud cases.
SINGAPORE--Everyday Internet users will be a key target for cybercriminals looking to get people to download their malware, while the proliferation of social sites such as Facebook and Twitter will lead to an increase of possible fraud cases, reported Symantec.

At a media briefing Wednesday, the security vendor released a report outlining security threats enterprises and consumers should be mindful of in 2010. Of these, the security risk faced by everyday Internet users is likely to increase as criminals look to trick people into downloading malware through means such as an innocent-looking URL link or videos and pictures from unknown sources.

"[Users] could be opening themselves up to identity theft and other types of cybercrime," Symantec said in the report, adding that the number of attempted attacks using social engineering "is sure to increase" next year.

Also, as the popularity of Apple products continue to grow, Mac and iPhone users--two of the most popular products by Apple--should look to protect the content they place on their devices as "more attackers will devote time to create malware to exploit these devices", according to the report. With the increased use of smartphones, mobile security will also be an area of concern, added Symantec.

For more on social networking, shortened urls and scareware, read "5 security threats to watch in 2010" on ZDNet Asia.

Talkback Most Recent of 4 Talkback(s)

  • Too Dynamic
    The threats will be too dynamic to predict over long periods. Due to virtual nature of digital it is a limitless frontier for these kinds of attacks unfortunately. Hopefully the responses are at least as fast to hold the unknown line.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    tyvek@...
    2nd Dec 2009
  • Please use one brain cell while on the internet
    This article is full of AIR. The key to all things internet, in relationship to security is, as stated, "unknown sources". Anyone that gives the boat way, to an unknown source, deserves what they get.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    ropratt
    2nd Dec 2009
  • RE: 5 security threats to watch in 2010
    Threats while on the Internet? Just gimme a keyboard with a square of 16 heavy duty delete keys. I wear out my delete keys now and would like more.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    starzbriter2003@...
    2nd Dec 2009
  • We're trying...
    ...to create a safe haven where families, friends and
    coworkers can come together privately in a fully
    encrypted environment to share information via threaded
    conversations. See what we mean at www.threadthat.com.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    mr_S54
    2nd Dec 2009

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