Join Symantec security experts on Twitter (using the #ISTR hashtag) on Tuesday, May 15, at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET to chat about the key trends highlighted in Symantec’s recently released Internet Security Threat Report, Volume 17.
This year’s report, which covers the major threat trends observed by Symantec in 2011, highlights several troubling developments. For example:
- Symantec blocked more than 5.5 billion malicious attacks in 2011, an increase of 81 percent over the previous year.
- The number of unique malware variants increased to 403 million and the number of Web attacks blocked per day increased by 36 percent.
- Targeted attacks are growing, with the number of daily targeted attacks increasing from 77 per day to 82 per day by the end of 2011. The targets of these attacks are also becoming more diverse, with SMBs being targeted in addition to large enterprises.
The news isn’t all bad, however, with several positive trends also being called out; though these trends do demonstrate there are two sides to every coin. For instance:
- Spam levels have fallen by 13 percent, though this is likely a result of attackers turning more of their attention to social networks as attack vectors.
- Overall, new vulnerabilities discovered in 2011 decreased by 20 percent. However, new mobile device-related vulnerabilities discovered during the year increased by 93 percent.
The report is based on data from the Global Intelligence Network, which Symantec's analysts use to identify, analyze, and provide commentary on emerging trends in attacks, malicious code activity, phishing, and spam.
So, mark your calendars now:
Symantec ISTR Twitter Chat
Date: Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Time: Starts at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET
Length: 1 hour
Where: On Twitter.com; follow the hashtag #ISTR
Expert participants:
- Paul Wood, Senior Intelligence Analyst, Symantec (@paulowoody)
- Kevin Haley, Director of Product Management, Security Technology and Response, Symantec (@KPHaley)