Growth of the cyber threat

The recent 2013 Websense Threat Report has revealed an alarming increasing in cyber attacks over the past year. Attacks have escalated on every front and through every channel with cyber criminals exploiting the advances in mobile technology and social media.

Some key findings from the Report are as follows:

Email threats

Phishing and spam e-mails have increased substantially over the past year. Messages are very personal and two-thirds of phishing e-mails are sent on Mondays or Fridays.

Web threats

There has been a 600% rise in the number of malicious websites in 2012; 85% of these were hosted on legitimate sites.

Cyber criminals have mainly targeted their attacks on businesses and governments.

Malware behaviour

Malware has become dynamic, adapting to an infected system within minutes.

Social media threats

Sensitive information has become more exposed as the use of social media has increased in the workplace.

32% of shortened web-links carried malicious content across social media; Twitter registered the highest level of shortened web links carrying malicious threats.

Mobile threats

Malicious apps are appearing in legitimate app stores and increasingly threaten mobile devices.

82% of malicious apps sent an SMS as part of their attack and 10% of malicious apps requested permission to install other apps.

The Chartered insurance brokers at Hine can arrange a suitable cyber liability package to help protect your business. Call us on 0161 438 0000 for more details.

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Andy Guy
Andy Guy

Hi there! I'm Andy, I'm the Head of Charity and Faith Insurance at Hine Insurance with over 30 years experience.

In my spare time, I'm a trustee of a church and I enjoy walking and getting to grips with the garden.

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