Akonix Publishes September IM Threat Report

SAN DIEGO -- Akonix Systems, Inc., provider of the most deployed instant messaging (IM) security and compliance products in the world, today announced its IM Security Center researchers tracked 33 malicious code attacks over IM networks during the month of September, bringing the 2007 total to 297. This is a 20% increase in IM threats compared with the same time period last year.

New IM worms identified include Agent-GCG, Ataxbot, Exploit-VcardGadget, Focelto, MSNFunny, IMBot, MsnSend, MSN-WhoBlocked, Neeris, Pykse, Skipi, STRATION and Yalove. IRCBot was the most common with four variants, followed by Imaut and Neeris with two, respectively. Akonix tracked 16 attacks on P2P networks, such as Kazaa and eDonkey.

During September, Akonix security analysts issued nine new policy updates to protect customers against new malware, using the industry's only dynamic IM malware, spim and protocol update system. Akonix Security Update Services automatically push updates to customers to block spyware, worms and viruses. Akonix customers were secure on day zero from each new threat with the in-depth protection and containment features of Akonix's 360° Security for Real-Time Communications(tm).

"The ongoing trend in malicious code attacks and several new vulnerabilities uncovered this month on public IM networks emphasize the urgent need for effective policy and risk management for use of IM in the workplace," said Don Montgomery, VP of marketing at Akonix. "As the role of real-time, presence-based applications continues to increase, IM is becoming the foundation of corporate desktops. Organizations need to ensure they secure and manage IM as they implement revolutionary new unified communications technologies."

Akonix Systems Inc.