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Search engine poisoning helping to spread malware

Cybercriminals are increasing the spread of malware by targeting websites with a high ranking in Google and other search engines.

According to computer expert Dan Hubbard, most internet users assume that the top search results are safe, but search engine poisoning - by which hackers seek to exploit the highest ranking websites - is becoming more popular.

The chief technology officer at Websense suggested that companies can reduce the threat that spam and malware poses to their systems by ensuring that employees use the internet sensibly.

Writing on CIO.com, he added that hackers are increasingly targeting sites that allow user-generated content, such as blogs, forums and chat rooms.

Mr Hubbard estimated that 85 per cent of all web posts on blogs and forums consist of unwanted content while five per cent are malware, fraud or fishing attacks.

In other news, national standard association BSI claimed this week that one in five small UK companies are failing to comply with data protection rules and could be exposing themselves and their customers to identity fraud.

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