Microsoft Security Intelligence Report (SIRv 14)

Yesterday, Microsoft released volume 14 of its Security Intelligence Report (SIRv14) which includes new threat intelligence from over a billion systems worldwide. One of the most interesting threat trends to surface in the enterprise environment was the decline in network worms and rise of web-based attacks.  The report found:

 

·         The proportion of Conficker and Autorun threats reported by enterprise computers each decreased by 37% from 2011 to 2H12.

 

·         In the second half of 2012, 7 out of the top 10 threats affecting enterprises were associated with malicious or compromised websites.

·         Enterprises were more likely to encounter the iFrame redirection technique than any other malware family tracked in 4Q12.

·         One specific iFrame redirection family called IframeRef, increased fivefold in the fourth quarter of 2012 to become the number one malicious technique encountered by enterprises worldwide.   

·         IframeRef was detected nearly 3.3 million times in the fourth quarter of 2012.

The report also takes a close look at the dangers of not using up-to-date antivirus software in an article titled “Measuring the Benefits of Real-time Security Software.” New research showed that, on average, computers without AV protection were five and a half times more likely to be infected. The study also found that 2.5 out of 10, or an estimated 270 million computers worldwide were not protected by up-to-date antivirus software. With the report’s release they are reminding customers of the importance antivirus software can provide in protecting systems. For more information, check out this blog post.

Of course these are just some of the more interesting threat trends I thought might be of interest. The full Security Intelligence Report, volume 14, is available for free and can be downloaded here.