Cybercriminals moving beyond Microsoft to Apple and Linux

Stan Beer
Wednesday, 23 January 2008 07:45

Your IT - Home IT

According to Sophos, its experts are now discovering 6000 infected web pages every day - one every 14 seconds. 83% of these web pages actually belong to innocent companies and individuals, unaware that their sites have been hacked.  Websites of all types, from those of antique dealers to ice cream manufacturers to wedding photographers have hosted malware on behalf of virus writers.

Cybercriminals can target any computer user by spamming out emails containing links to the poisoned webpages, directing unsuspecting victims to the malicious code. The website can determine if the visiting computer is a Mac or a PC, and delivers malware custom-written for the surfer's operating system.

In addition to Mac computers, Sophos says its Security Threat Report 2008 revealed that the iPhone and iPod Touch connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi hotspots are now attracting the interest of cybercriminals

According to Sophos, the report revealed that the wider use of new mobile technologies and Wi-Fi enabled devices, like Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch, are opening up new vectors of attack for hackers.  Flaws have been found in the mobile email program and Safari browser installed on such devices - but while uptake remains limited cybercriminals seeking large returns are unlikely to exploit these avenues on a major scale in the near future. However, as personal Wi-Fi devices grow in popularity, Sophos believes the risks will no doubt increase.

Sophos experts also note that the low cost ultra-mobile PCs, such as the popular Linux-based ASUS EEE laptop, are likely to gain the attention of the cyber underworld as sales continue to grow.

"The ultra-mobile ASUS EEE laptop, like many others, comes pre-installed with Unix, making it automatically immune to the vast majority of spyware and malware attacks," said Cluley.  "However, it's still possible to lose money through phishing and identity theft on any device with an internet connection.  As it becomes more common for people to use a Wi-Fi enabled device which carries personal information, the greater the temptation for hackers to take advantage with malware in the future."

While many Mac and Linux users are likely to take Sophos' findings and warnings with a grain of salt, with the Mac approaching 8% market share, it would appear to be simple economics for cybercriminals, who know that many Mac users don't use security packages, to target this lucrative new market.