Internet Explorer Exploits Surging As Top Web Threat To Enterprises

Internet Explorer exploits posed the fastest growing web security threat to enterprises in the last quarter, according to web security services firm ScanSafe. The top exploit (Exploit.HTML.Mht) was used to attack twice as many businesses as any other web security threat in Q2 2004.< . . . Internet Explorer exploits posed the fastest growing web security threat to enterprises in the last quarter, according to web security services firm ScanSafe. The top exploit (Exploit.HTML.Mht) was used to attack twice as many businesses as any other web security threat in Q2 2004.

While Trojans and worms remain the most significant type of threat, exploits, which accounted for 19 per cent of all attacks recorded by ScanSafe, are growing in prevalence. ScanSafe reckons the many vulnerabilities recently exposed in popular web browsers, such as runaway market leader Internet Explorer, are creating a ready mechanism for crackers to compromise systems simply by conning users into visiting websites hosting malicious content.

"ScanSafe forecasts exploits driven by browser vulnerabilities will become an increased threat to enterprises," said John Edwards, technical director, ScanSafe. "As vulnerabilities continue to emerge in Microsoft Internet Explorer and other browsers, and administrators struggle to update patches, attackers will be quick to take advantage."

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