Computer Learning

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Net attacks more frequent, lethal

Thursday, October 2, 2003

NEW YORK (AP) -- Attacks on computer systems by virus writers and hackers continued to rise during the first half of the year, the Internet-security firm Symantec Corp. said this week.

Attacks by automated programs that spread like viruses and worms to exploit software flaws rose 20 percent in the first half of 2003 compared with the previous six-month period.

These attacks, the most significant of which was January's "Slammer" worm, accounted for 78 percent of all attack activity, according to Symantec's 20,000 security sensors monitoring networks in more than 180 countries.

Meanwhile, targeted hacker attacks on corporate networks rose 19 percent.

According to data culled from about 160 of Symantec's clients, companies were hit by an average of 38 targeted attacks a week during the first six months of the year, up from 32 a week during the last six months of 2002.

Symantec said Wednesday it saw no evidence of Internet terrorism during the period. Some 80 percent of all targeted activity originated from computers in 10 countries, most of which were large developed nations. The United States ranked first, accounting for 51 percent of all activity.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/internet/10/02/attack.trends.ap/index.html