Companies of all sizes depend on Instant Messaging (IM) to instantly connect with employees, partners and customers around the globe. Home users also use the technology to keep in touch with friends and family.

However, IM-borne security threats have increased dramatically in volume since last year. According to various reports the quantity of IM threats increased 250 per cent in the first quarter of 2005, compared with the same period last year. Threats come in the form of viruses, worms, spam and phishing attacks sent over public IM networks.

Perhaps more alarming is that some 50 per cent of the incidents reported last year involved attacks at workplaces where freely available IM software such as AOL Instant Messenger, MSN Messenger, Windows Messenger, and Yahoo Messenger is used.

Also concerning is that more than 75 new threats on public IM and peer-to-peer computing networks were discovered in the first three months of last year. And over 82 per cent of the incidents reported involved IM virus or worm propagation, while 14 per cent dealt with IM file transfer hijacking. Only around 11 per cent of the incidents involved attacks on known vulnerabilities on IM applications.

Based on this data, your company should take a closer look at managing IM security issues. Vincent Weafer from Symantec Security Response examines how the rising use of Instant Messaging in the workplace impacts Internet security.

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BIOS, Mar 28, 06 | Print | Send | Comments (0) | Posted In Security