Google Warns Of Drive-by Downloads
Internet sites which contain malware that can infect a PC are becoming increasingly prevalent, the internet search giant Google has warned.
A full one in ten web pages is capable of launching a "drive-by download", meaning that it could place malware onto a PC. Using such software, hackers can steal sensitive information and infect PCs, Google cautioned. Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at the security company Sophos, said: "They [hackers] used to spread malware by email attachment. What they do now is spam out URLs.
"You cannot protect users by restricting what sites they go to. You need to start protecting your web access, as well as your email gateway." Such malware present on websites is becoming "a considerable problem" for both businesses and personal users, Mr Cluley added. Meanwhile, companies have been warned to be aware of a worm which inhabits removable drives like floppy disks and USB sticks.
Sophos has stated that the W32/SillyFD-AA copies itself onto removable drives and then infiltrates the computers they are subsequently hooked up to.
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