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Report shows slight increase in e-mail spam in 2009

McAfee has released a threat report for the first quarter of 2010. In the report McAfee highlights trends in the types of Cyber security threats being identified.

There has been an increase in spam after a slight decrease in 2009. The amount of malware continues to be very high, such as fake anti-virus tools and exploits against social networking sites such as Facebook. Cyber criminals continue to exploit vulnerabilities in software as well.

There also has been some increase in politically motivated Web site hacking. Although we have seen some of these issues, security precautions taken at ITD have prevented most of these from being a big problem for us. Network access controls and frequently scanning for viruses and spyware keeps ITD computers clean and prevents potential widespread infections within the network.

Frequent security patching through LANDesk has protected ITD computers from most of the software vulnerabilities that have been identified. Websense continues to identify and block malicious Web sites. Interestingly, at ITD we have actually seen a decrease in the number of malicious sites accessed by employees. Possibly as a result of employees being more conscientious about their Internet and e-mail usage and more aware of potential security concerns.

We also have seen some phishing attempts and fraudulent e-mail. Most of this, as well as other types of spam or inappropriate e-mail, continues to be blocked by Department of Administration but some still occasionally slips through the filters.

Employees who receive questionable e-mails or who have questions about cyber security can contact the Cyber Security Office at cybersecurity@itd.idaho.gov

View a copy of the McAfee report.

Forrest L. Anderson
Cyber Security Office