Windows 7 and HTML5 at risk in 2011

[nsane.forums]

Panda Security gives its predictions for the coming year

Threats targeting Windows 7, Mac and HTML5 are likely to keep information security professionals busy in 2011, with hactivism and state-sponsored attacks also set to continue, according to security vendor Panda Security.

In its predictions for 2011, the firm claims that HTML5 is the perfect target for criminals. In the coming months, attackers are likely to be looking to exploit holes in the technology because it can be run by browsers without any plug-ins and so has a large potential pool of victims, said Panda.

Mac users must also beware of increasing numbers of attacks targeting Apple’s operating systems, as the firm increases its market share and so becomes a more inviting prospect for cyber criminals.

However, the iPad is set to be relatively safe from harm, with Panda technical director Luis Corrons claiming that criminal activity in the tablet sphere will be confined to the odd proof-of-concept attack.

Firms with Windows 7 deployments need to be more cautious, he added.

“It will take at least two years before we start to see the proliferation of threats designed specifically for Windows 7,” said Corrons.

“In 2010 we have begun to see a shift in this direction, and we imagine that in 2011 we will continue to see new cases of malware targeting users of this new operating system.”

Panda also warned that cyber warfare has reached a turning point, with the notable attacks on Google and the Stuxnet worm this year, and similar attacks are likely to continue into 2011, although many will go undetected.

Hacktivism has also received a lot of media scrutiny since the WikiLeaks saga and the Operation Payback-led DDoS attacks, and these kinds of online civil protest will also continue into next year, said Panda.

“It is true that in 2010 we have seen several major arrests that have hit hard in the world of cyber crime. Yet this is sadly insufficient when we consider the scale of what we are fighting against,” warned Corrons.

“The economic climate has contributed to the seriousness of the situation: as unemployment grows in numerous countries, many people see this as a low-risk opportunity to earn money, though this does not detract from the fact that it is a crime.”

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