PandaLabs, the malware analysis and detection laboratory of Panda Security, has recently published computer threats it predicted for 2010, as reported by PRNewswire on December 16, 2009.
PandaLabs states that the cyber criminals will again focus on methods of social engineering to infect PCs. These methods will particularly target search engines through BlackHat SEO techniques and social-networking websites. In addition, 'drive-by downloads' would be used to infect computers through web-pages during 2010. Citing events that would give rise to malware, PandaLabs mentions the FIFA World Cup 2010 (to be held in South Africa) would lead to large volumes of malicious programs. These, according to PandaLabs, will be in the form of spam mails, counterfeit tickets, etc. Thus, it is advisable that users who receive e-mails pertaining to ongoing developments or important events like the football World Cup should see the messages with suspicion. As far as social-networking websites are concerned, PandaLabs emphasizes that several Trojans and worms have been targeting Facebook and Twitter. In 2010, these and other social networks will continue to be similarly attacked as they have a large user-base, according to Panda. The company also predicts that malware developers will target Windows 7 because this new OS (operating system) enjoys a wide acceptance. As every new PC comes packed with Windows 7, cyber criminals will be creating malicious programs suitable for this new platform. According to PandaLabs, Mac is no longer secured against malicious programs. Cyber criminals can easily identify a Mac system and then use a suitable malware to attack it. During 2009, PandaLabs has already observed a large number of these attacks and it expects more during 2010. All through 2009, governments including those of the UK, US and Spain were anxious due to the capability of cyber attacks to harm critical infrastructures and economies. In 2010, PandaLabs forecasts similar politically-inclined cyber assaults. To conclude, PandaLabs indicates that during 2010, all anti-malware firms are likely to innovate so that they may cope with new malware. With cloud-based security already being the best approach, criminals are likely to attack its services or infrastructure more-and-more. |
