Hacker attacks getting more targeted and subtle, says report

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Corporate IT managers should re-double efforts to guard against targeted attacks, which will increase in scope and subtlety this year, according to security experts.

Attacks aimed at stealing vital personal and financial information are on the rise, according to a report from software firm CA Inc., based in Islandia, New York.

Phishing attacks are largely directed at consumers, but scam artistes are also infiltrating machines of enterprise employees. A common channel for such attacks are online porn or gambling sites workers may visit using their office computer, according to the report titled CA 2007 Internet Threat Outlook.

The report predicted we will witness the following trends:

• An increase in targeted attacks

• Continued evolution of blended threats and multi-component malware

• The rise of rootkits

• Exploitation of Web browser vulnerabilities;

• Greater Mac malware

• Increasing game password theft

Once inside a company's network, malware can "harvest" intellectual property data or client information such as credit card numbers. The attackers can also implant "ransomware" that encrypts a firm's data and renders it inaccessible until the business pays to get the information back.

The report said phishing e-mails directing users to verify their account number have by now become obvious, and will be replaced by smarter methods.