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Gulf states vulnerable to internet threats

The worst emerging internet threat is the botnet, a large number of compromised personal computers controlled by an unauthorised entity for malicious purposes, according to Trend Micro, a global provider of online security solutions.

David Perry, global director of education at Trend Micro, said botnets are responsible for more than 80 per cent of the world’s spam (unwanted or unsolicited e-mails) and generate click-fraud of over Dh3.67 billion ($1 billion) per annum.

“Botnets are the threats to watch, and the Gulf states are not immune from these latest web threats,” he said, stressing that the growing number of internet users means that threats are also increasing.

Trend Micro, which has headquarters in Tokyo, stressed in a statement yesterday that average and professional IT users must follow best-practice internet usage policy to protect themselves from existing and emerging web threats.

“Human behavior is the single greatest contributor to the evolution of internet threats and criminals know how to exploit this opportunity for them,” Perry said. “Ignorance, arrogance, curiosity, lack of awareness and just plain human nature can lead internet users to put themselves at risk.”