Botnets A Launching Pad For Cybercrime, Says New Microsoft Study

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14th October 2010, 10:21am - Views: 1384





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Botnets a Launching Pad for Cybercrime, says new Microsoft study

Ready-made internet botnet kits are fueling cybercrime incidents in Australia


Sydney Australia — 14 October 2010: Microsoft Australia today released the ninth volume of its

Security Intelligence Report (SIR v9) into internet security, which exposes the extent to which botnets

are providing a launch pad for cybercrime such as spam, phishing, identity theft, click fraud, and

advance fee fraud.


A botnet is described as a computer connected to the Internet that has been set up to forward

transmissions (including spam or viruses) to other computers on the Internet, without the knowledge of

the computer owner.


Stuart Strathdee, chief security advisor, Microsoft Australia, said the latest version of the internet

security report revealed the full extent of the botnet threat. “SIRv9 contains some of the most detailed

research into the botnet threat ever conducted.  It is clear that their controllers, known as bot-herders,

work hard to sustain, maintain and grow them for financial gain creating an online black market where

cybercrime specialists trade with each other,” he said.


FromApril 2010 to June 2010, Microsoft cleaned more than 6.5 million computers of botnet infections —

twice the amount for the same period a year before. The dominant botnet family in Australia in the

second quarter of 2010 was Win32/Alureon, which declined over the first two quarters of 2010 but still

accounted for 25 percent of detected botnets. Over the past several quarters, most countries and

regions have experienced an increase in detections of Win32/Rimecud, which rose to 21 percent of

detections in Australia. Rimecudis being sold as a kit via the internet and the ease to obtain ithas likely

contributed significantly to its prevalence. 


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SIRv9 also reports a number of positive security trends. The number of data breaches involving loss of

personal identifiable information (PII) showed a downward trend with losses falling by 46 percent in the

first half of 2010 compared with the same period in2009. Theft of equipment still accounted for the

largest number of incidents (31 percent) with half of that due to incidents of negligence, such as loss or

theft of equipment or inappropriate disposal.


“The positive results show that consumers are becoming more aware of computer security and are

taking steps protect themselves against cybercriminals”, saidStrathdee. “However as the landscape

continually evolves it’s important that consumers, businesses and the software industrycontinue to be

aware of the threats that exist and remain one step ahead. Addressing the problem of cybercrime

requires creativity, innovative thinking and collaboration from industry, governments, lawmakers and

law enforcers.”


Based on the key findings from SIRv9, Microsoft recommends customers use the data, insights and

guidance in the report to better assess and improve their own security practices. Some of the active

steps Microsoft recommends include the following:


Upgrade to the latest version of operating systems and products


Employ strong passwords


Check for and apply software updates on an ongoing basis 


Use Microsoft Update, a complimentary service that helps keep your pc more secure and up to

date


Run anti-virus software from a trusted vendor


Microsoft said there would always be a percentage of internet users who ignored fundamental security

practices and whoriskedinfection through their online habits. Strathdee said that in a globally connected

worldand with a profusion of consumer devices being brought into the workplace, these computer

userscould unwittingly expose other connected users to potential threats.


”It’s important that organisations implement and enforce a robust security policy to prevent potential

threats from outside a company’s network while ensuring that all employees are fully aware of the

security policies, risks and potential disciplinary action.  


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About SIRv9: 

Covers the period January 2010 to June 2010 and contains analysis of data from more than 600 million

computers around the world captured by Microsoft products and tools. This tracking identifies evidence

of increased integration between malicious threats and botnets.


About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions

that help people and businesses realise their full potential.


To organise an interview with Stuart Strathdee, please contact:

Rudolf Wagenaar

Rudolf@howorth.com.au

02 8281 3879

043 9082550






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