Doom, gloom and FUD as attacks rise

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) said the number of organizations hit by browser-based attacks rose by 56 percent in one year and phishing rose 18 percent.

Viruses and worms continue to be the internet's most pervasive threat, the survey adds and the rise in threats is a sign that hacking is becoming ever-more advanced.

"Though security software has become increasingly more advanced in its ability to detect threats to networks, applications and operating systems, hackers are sophisticated enough to reverse engineer patches and launch counter-offensives to vulnerable systems within 48 hours," said Brian McCarthy, chief operating officer at CompTIA. "Even the most sophisticated security software solution, which can provide 24 hours of security detection and assessment, cannot replace fully the need for IT security awareness and training in the workplace."

Two-thirds of companies reported virus infections in the last, but the most dangerous upcoming threat was reported to be pharming, in which scammers create fraudulent websites to capture information.

Earlier this year SC reported phishers are increasingly turning to pharming to steal personal information.

www.comptia.org