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Crooks target Web 2.0 sites more, study shows

Internet users visiting Web 2.0 and social media sites are more likely to be exposed to online threats and other traps set up by cyber crooks, according to new research from the Secure Enterprise 2.0 Forum.

SQL injection attacks and authentication abuse are the most popular mode of attack - 21 per cent and 18 per cent respectively - that crooks use to hit Web 2.0 driven websites, which make up 21 per cent of all reported hacking cases.

The research from the first quarter of 2009 showed that cross site request forgery attacks are also gaining popularity among hackers and have increased to 8 per cent of the reported attacks.

"As Web 2.0 and social media become increasingly popular for both personal and professional use, it is highly likely that hackers will increase their efforts to exploit vulnerabilities," explained Secure Enterprise 2.0 Forum founder David Lavenda.

He went on to state that the report "clearly spells out the need for companies using these tools to implement a comprehensive security strategy and Web 2.0-specific security mechanisms".

Social networks Facebook and Twitter have both been in the headlines recently after being targeted by hackers.

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