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Business warned of malware threat
April 20, 2010
A report from computer security firm Symantec has revealed that malicious cyber activity is on the rise in developing countries.
Warning companies, in particular those having offshore and outsourced operations, the Global Internet Security Threat Report said although the rise in malware activity in emerging countries has been noticed before, it became more obvious in 2009.
According to the report, India moved up from 11th position in 2008 to fifth in 2009 in the malicious activity rankings, while Brazil moved up from fifth position to third.
Kevin Hogan, senior manager security response for the EMEA region at Symantec, told Computer Weekly the trend is hitting many businesses across the world as they have their offshore IT operations in emerging countries.
He added: "Security threats that have come and gone in other parts of the world often linger in emerging countries where they can be passed on to US and European companies through offshore operations."
Mr Hogan warned companies to take note of their dependency on the security of their own offshore operations and those of their outsourcing suppliers.
Pointing out that an outsourcing firm passed on the Hydraq Trojan infection of one of its targeted clients to other clients, he stressed that security risk assessments should include an inspection of all offshore and outsourcing operations.
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