More Technology = More Dangers for Users, Security Experts Say

If you think the real world is getting more dangerous, take a peek into cyberspace — but keep your guard up. That’s the word from a panel of top experts, who conclude that the increasing complexity of Web sites, mobile phones and other technology have made people’s everyday interactions with technology more dangerous than ever. Malicious code buried in popular, trusted Web sites was the most dangerous cyberthreat of 2008, the group concluded. THE BLOTTER RECOMMENDS Blotter From China, With Love: Cyberwar the Next Big Threat to the U.S.? Blotter Cybersquatting: The New Gateway Scam to Identity Theft? Blotter U.S. Air Force Prepares for War in Cyberspace Do you have a tip for Brian Ross and the Investigative Team? Click Here for Full Blotter Coverage. Attacks on sophisticated mobile phones also made the list, which was compiled by cybersecurity expert Alan Paller, former U.S. cybersecurity chief Amit Yoran and 10 others. Also, the popularity of USB flash drives and other low-cost mini storage devices as promotional items have made them enticing delivery mechanisms for hackers, according to the group. Slipping a virus into the code on those devices at the manufacturing stage could infect thousands or millions of users’ machines, the panel said. Flash, QuickTime and other multimedia components are increasingly common on Web sites operated by large corporations and other groups trusted by many Internet users. But those tools are also targeted by hackers, said the experts, who can use them to deploy malicious code on a visitor’s computer. The panel was convened by the Bethesda, Md.-based SANS Institute, a computer security research and training center, where Paller works as research director. As companies release incrementally more sophisticated Web sites, security flaws can emerge, the panel said. Likewise, Web users upgrading their browsing software and "plug-ins" can inadvertently create holes in their security thanks to oversights by the software’s programmers, the group said. "Many people believe that when they see their operating systems are being patched, things like Flash are being patched also, but they’re not," said Paller. "The user needs to check to see if there are patches or updates for that software." As well, hackers are increasingly penetrating the software used to collect user information on trusted sites, the panel said. A recent attack compromised 70,000 Web sites, Paller told ABC News. IPhones and other must-have gadget phones are another new target for hackers, the group found.  The increasing sophistication of mobile phone software is increasingly exposing the devices to worms and viruses which can wreak havoc. To read the full list, click here. Click Here for Full Blotter Coverage.