Browser Security News

Just as we’re experiencing a marked decline in computer virus and spyware activity during 2006–thanks in part to antispyware protection built into the latest antivirus solutions–there’s been a marked uptick in phishing activity. According to the Anti-Phishing Workgroup, the number of new phishing sites increased 25 percent from August to September of this year. Yet this past week, Microsoft U.K. chief security adviser Ed Gibson told ZDNet.uk that "Organized criminals are not really interested in bank details–criminals want bandwidth to attack companies."

At first, it appears that the Microsoft comment is out of sync with the phishing data now being made public. But closer inspection reveals that the Microsoft comment about the increasing interest in botnets isn’t a contradiction but a very accurate statement about what’s happening in the world of phishing. Security Watch: Of rockphish and botnets - CNET reviews