Huge spikes in automated password guessing attacks against Australian computer servers show geographical isolation offers no protection against internet-borne threats.
Data compiled for Next by security vendor Arbor Networks also shows the US remains the largest single source of malicious internet background noise targeting Australian computers.
China ranks as the second-largest source of the noise, generated by virus-infected PCs pseudo-randomly scanning for other systems to attack.
“Some countries have better infrastructure than others or are better able to patch their systems,” says Robert Malan, the founder and chief technology officer of Arbor Networks.
Often networks of thousands of compromised computers are controlled centrally by virus writers. These so-called “bot networks” can send spam, infect other systems and launch denial-of-service attacks against legitimate and grey-market businesses such as online casinos.
