Malware has ‘exploded,’ says security manager
A report released earlier this year by Panda Security reveals just how sophisticated the business of cyber crime has become. Among its findings: botnets are now available as a service for criminals to rent and launch spam attacks —- with prices that start as low as $15 for the rental of a SMTP server.
See also: Smartphone botnets? New report predicts mobile devices will be part of DDOS attacks
Botnets, a network of infected computers controlled by a master bot to send out spam, spread viruses and launch attacks, are responsible for as much as 85 percent of all email spam, according to many estimates. While efforts by some security groups to stop them have been successful, botnets continue to be the attack vector of choice from criminals, making botnet detection and evasion an increasingly crucial part of the security program in many organizations.