An increasing number of instant messages contain links to
malware, say security researchers at Symantec's
MessageLabs.
One in 78 links contained in instant messages connect to
malware, according to the
June MessageLabs Intelligence report.
This represents an increase of nearly 1% compared with six
months ago, when only one in 200 links shared by instant messaging
were malicious.
Based on these figures, MessageLabs Intelligence predicts that 1
in 80 instant messaging users may expect to receive a malicious
message each month.
"The increase in instant messaging - largely a result of Captcha
breaking technology allowing bad guys to set up bogus accounts and
direct victims to a malicious website - is a challenge that
businesses need to get a grip on," said Paul Wood, MessageLabs
Intelligence senior analyst.
These kinds of threats are difficult to block, but can be
controlled if the relevant personnel take the time to implement an
acceptable instant messaging usage policy within the organisation,
he said.
According to Wood, carefully monitoring use of instant messaging
within a business, in addition to adopting appropriate instant
messaging filtering technology, can do a lot to ensure companies
don't open themselves up to malicious attacks.