Topic: IM viruses on the increase

[Clive]

The number of viruses spreading via instant messaging services are increasing, new figures show.

Messaging security management company Postini has noticed a 500 per cent increase in IM attacks during last month alone. This follows statistics that show the number of IM messages sent last month doubled.

According to Postini, the top five viruses for May include, MyTob variants , which turn off security applications and leave computers vulnerable to hackers, as well as mass mailing worm Netsky.

"The fact that IM messages more than doubled in just one month shows the rate companies are adopting IM as a mainstream business communications tool," said Andrew Lochart, senior director of marketing for Postini.

"That being said, IM attacks are still only a fraction of the number of email attacks, so it's important companies keep up their guard on both fronts."

According to Postini, of the 25 billion email messages that it scanned, more than 86 per cent were malicious or unwanted content.