IBM’s Global Security Intelligence Services Team has released the Global Business Security Index Report for 2004, predicting a "new and troubling trend" in 2005 of viruses and worms attacking handheld devices, cellphones, wireless networks and embedded computers, which include car and satellite communication systems. Money quotes from a Globe article on the report:
"After a year like 2004, many IT departments feel beaten down from combatting viruses like Mydoom and NetSky," IBM’s director of security strategy Stuart McIrvine said.
The Security Index report says mobile devices — such as PDAs and cellphones — are the new frontier for viruses, spam and other potential security threats. Bluetooth and other wireless technologies that connect mobile devices pose new exposures for hackers to target.
There appears to be no end in sight for identity theft, IBM said. Phishing attacks that use "spoofed" e-mails and fraudulent websites designed to deceive recipients into divulging personal information such as credit-card numbers, account user names and passwords will likely continue to plague businesses and individuals.
Writers of malicious software — known as "malware" — are getting smarter and are employing basic software development practices to spread destructive software.
Botnets will likely move to instant messaging networks for command and control of infected systems.
There will also likely be an increase in the disruption of VoIP networks, the report predicted, citing eavesdropping and denial of service attacks carried out remotely against VoIP networks.
(And in a final insult, Paris Hilton will do even more cameos on prime time TV and Jon Lovitz will be chosen as the new anchor for the CBS Evening News.)
Welcome to New Millenium, where it’s all about IP networks, and security professionals will soon be the best paid consultants on the planet.