IM Threats Spike Nearly 100% in August

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 38 malicious code attacks over IM networks during the month of August, double the number of attacks tracked during July. This brings the total number of threats during 2007 to 264.

New IM worms identified include Delf, Imagine, Lolurmom, Mimbot, MSNHorn, MSNPoopy, Picu, Scrimge and Vacill. Sohana and IRCBot were the most common with six variants, followed by Checkout with four. Akonix tracked 26 attacks on P2P networks, such as Kazaa and eDonkey.

During August, Akonix security analysts issued eight 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 extraordinary increase in malicious code activity we've seen this August is proof positive that the IM networks have become hackers' favorite open door into corporations' computers," said Don Montgomery, VP of marketing at Akonix. "This August's output was nearly double that of July, and brings the 2007 total to a full 50% higher than during the same period last year. As corporations make IM an integral part of their unified communications plans, it becomes imperative for IT departments to manage risk with comprehensive IM security, compliance and policy management."

Akonix Systems Inc.