Broadband safety urged

17 June 2005

Caution has been urged for broadband users surfing the internet.

The last year has seen the number of browser-based attacks and phishing scams soar.

A study by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) has revealed that 56.6% of the 500 organisations questioned had fallen victim of a browser-based attack in 2005, compared with 36.8 per cent a year ago and 25 per cent in 2003.

A quarter of the organisations said they had also been targeted by phishing scams, compared with 18 per cent in 2004.

Brian McCarthy, chief operating officer at CompTIA, said: "Though security software has become increasingly more advanced in its ability to detect threats to networks, applications and operating systems, hackers are sophisticated enough to reverse engineer patches and launch counter-offensives to vulnerable systems within 48 hours.

"Even the most sophisticated security software solution, which can provide 24 hours of security detection and assessment, cannot replace fully the need for IT security awareness and training in the workplace."

In order to enjoy the benefits broadband has to offer, users have been urged to exercise caution when browsing the internet.

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