Trend Micro 2010 Future Threat Report
Core Facts
• The Internet infrastructure is changing, opening more opportunities for cybercrime
• The growing popularity of cloud computing and virtualisation among companies is likely to catch the attention of criminals scheming for the next hot cyber-swindle.
• According to the Trend Micro 2010 Future Threat Report, cloud computing and virtualisation – while offering significant benefits and cost-savings – move servers outside the traditional security perimeter and expand the playing field for cybercriminals.
• Domain names are becoming more internationalised and the introduction of regional top- level domains (Russian, Chinese, and Arabic characters) will create new opportunities to launch age-old attacks through lookalike domains for phishing.
• Trend Micro believes cybercriminals will either be manipulating the connection to the cloud, or attacking the data centre and cloud itself.
• Social media and social networks will be used by cybercriminals to enter the users’ “circle of trust”.
• Using social networks to steal personally identifiable information worsen in 2010, with high-profile personalities suffering from online impersonators or stolen bank accounts.
• Moving forward, localised and targeted attacks are expected to grow in their number and sophistication.
• It is all about money – cybercrime will not be going away anytime soon.
• Windows 7 will have an impact since it is less secure than Vista in the default configuration
• Risk mitigation is not as viable an option anymore – even with alternative Browsers and alternative operating systems.
• Malware is changing its shape – every few hours.
• Drive-by infections are the norm – one Web visit is enough to get infected.