Attacks aimed at lightly protected instant messaging systems and spam that replaces text with images in an effort to dupe filtering software are growing in popularity, according to new research released by Postini.

As indicated in Postini's Message Security and Management Update for June, hackers and spammers continue to become more sophisticated in response to more widespread use of IT security applications. Hackers are moving beyond e-mail-borne viruses in favor of IM and Web site attacks, and spammers are using any way they can find to avoid network and endpoint message scanning tools as part of their evolution, researchers said.

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