Next to the US, South African enterprises are experiencing the world`s second-greatest incidence of spyware as it spreads through the EMEA region.
This is according to Daniel Mothersdale, Webroot`s marketing director in the EMEA region, who was speaking at the Webroot State of Spyware Seminar in Sandton yesterday. He said that in the past six months, spyware has increased by 50% in both SA and Europe.
Spyware is becoming more prevalent because of SA`s advanced technology, and enterprises are in danger of having data compromised if they do not strengthen their security with anti-spyware technology, he noted.
Mothersdale said these findings are based on Webroot`s State of Spyware report, which used data from industry reporting and from the company`s automated system that scans thousands of sites to identify and report new threats.
He said that in the last year, spyware has quadrupled, with 300 000 known sites and 80% of desktops infected with some form of spyware. "Audits have also shown that 7% of these desktops have malicious spyware, such as system monitors that can infiltrate and steal data."
Mothersdale said today`s spyware writers have become more sophisticated as they use malicious techniques to steal personal information for financial gain.
"Spyware vendors are making nearly $2 billion a year from pop-ups and hijacked browsers. From the 80% of those people who report to have been infected, 7% believe they have experienced malicious spyware that has stolen information."
Mothersdale said spyware does not only come through browsing pornography sites or downloading software such as games, but also on dial-up connections and free software.
"We also find that Bluetooth, WiFi and CDs are methods of communication used by spyware producers to target unsuspecting individuals.
"Spyware is a global threat and governments should look to introduce legislation. Organisations should also ensure they follow strict compliance to help prevent the spyware threat," he concluded.
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