Third-party apps are target for hackers
Monday, November 10, 2008
Third-party applications are now the main target for hackers looking to breach network security, PC World has claimed.
Citing reports from a number of system security researchers, the website stated that hackers are now setting their sights on vulnerabilities contained with applications rather than exploitable flaws in the Windows operating system.
"It is now critically important to patch vulnerabilities in all software that interacts with the internet," said security researcher Graham Titterington.
Such countermeasures could include the deployment of web and email filtering software.
Indeed, the website reported that browser-based attacks are now becoming a primary weapon in the hacker's arsenal.
Many of these types of attacks originate in China, which accounted for 47 per cent of all browser-based exploits.
Elsewhere, Microsoft has claimed that China is particularly vulnerable to browser exploits because it lacks industry-wide web security protocols.
The software giant noted that trojans are still the favored avenue of attack.
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