- Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, Excel & Outlook
- Adobe Flash Player, Reader & Acrobat
- Sun JAVA client
The vulnerabilities in these applications usually result in a hackers ability to download and install their own custom program which will then allow full access of your computer to the cybercriminal. Often they are recording the key strokes when an individual logs into their bank or credit card web site to pay bills. Or gain access to employees personal information such as home address, social security information and phone number in order to steal their identity. If that information is not available to them, they often use the hacked computer to share illegal content, or use that computer to hack into other computers that will contain sensitive information. Both result in performance issues related to the computer and companies internet performance. Which affects all users.
According to Kaspersky lab in their 2010 first quarter review, the volume of attacks are increasing:
- A total of 327,598,028 attempts to infect users’ computers in different countries around the world were recorded, that is 26.8% more than in the previous quarter.
- A total of 119,674,973 malicious host servers were identified. The US and Russia were both ahead of China in terms of the number of malicious hosting servers
- Almost any device that synchronizes with a computer is used by the cybercriminals as a carrier of malware these days. The most unusual of which has so far been a USB charger for Energizer batteries.
Attacks and vulnerabilities are increasing with no real end in sight. As there are more attacks, there will be more patches to reduce the vulnerabilities that are found. The result is a never ending pursuit for us to protect you from them.
- Jarrod Koch, Premier IT, Inc.